3 things we learned from NYCFC's Decision Day loss to Seattle Sounders FC

When New York City FC entered Decision Day 2025, the Boys in Blue knew that they had to win to at least have a chance at fourth place in the Eastern Conference.  But fate was not entirely in their hands, for Charlotte FC held their own fate.  A win for them would mean that the Pigeons would finish in fifth or sixth place.  And that is exactly what happened.  However, NYCFC fell 2-1 to Seattle Sounders FC.

While the game ended in a loss, a loss by Nashville SC saw the Boys in Blue stay in fifth place, finishing one position higher and six points more compared to last year.  However, everyone wanted to earn that 18th win of the season.  Instead, the Sounders had other ideas and robbed the Pigeons of any points thanks to free kicks and headers.

Goals from Jordan Morris and Jackson Ragen led the Sounders to the win.  Nicolás Fernández Mercau tied the match before Ragen’s header that led NYCFC to their third loss in four games.  Moreover, after a slow start offensively, the Pigeons were the better team when it came to shots and shots on target.  They had 14 and five compared to Seattle’s eight and four.  The difference, of course, was that the visitors scored one more goal.

The result was not ideal, especially since NYCFC might be in the middle of a rough stretch.  Hopefully, that is not the case.  Still, here are three things we learned from the loss to Seattle.

Should NYCFC fans be worried?

As mentioned, NYCFC finished in fifth place despite losing on Decision Day.  Nashville SC lost their game, which meant that the Music City team could not jump over them.  Instead, the Pigeons remained where they were and would have stayed in fifth if they had won as well.

It must be said, though, that losses to Inter Miami CF and the Philadelphia Union are why NYCFC was in this position in the final game.  Add the loss to Seattle, and NYCFC picked up only three points in the final 12 fixtures.  Meanwhile, Charlotte won six of the last 12, which enabled them to snag fourth. 

Notably, the only win in the last four was from the Hudson River Derby, in which the New York Red Bulls were the only non-playoff team that the Boys in Blue played.  The other three were playoff teams, and NYCFC scored only once in those fixtures.

Therefore, should fans be worried?  It is hard to say, but entering the MLS Cup Playoffs, it is not a good look to have lost the last two matches and three of the previous four. 

VAR can be used correctly

In the first half, Thiago Martins was accused of fouling Morris in the box, and Seattle was given a penalty kick.  Right away, it was clear that Martins did not commit any foul where the Sounders should be able to attempt a goal.  The referee was told to review, and the call went to VAR.

He went over to the monitor, and for once, it did not take forever.  Rather, the angles of the foul were looked at, and within a few minutes of the first call, the foul was overturned.  It was clear and obvious that the wrong decision was made, and everyone, from the referee to those in the VAR room used VAR correctly.

It was nice that NYCFC was on the right end of it.  Too many times, and other teams can say the same thing, it is not used in the right manner.  Fouls that should be overturned are not, and then there are calls that should be given that are not.  Saturday proved that VAR can be used properly and allow for the right decision to be made.

Another home loss for NYCFC

The loss against the Sounders was the sixth loss at home for NYCFC.  They were stronger on the road compared to the last few seasons, going 6-6-5.  But the baseball stadiums, which are usually guaranteed matches to earn points, were not the fortresses that they often are.

In fact, 2025 was the worst season at home since 2015, when the Boys in Blue lost seven.  This year, they lost six.  This is somewhat interesting since they still finished in fifth place with 56 points.  The team was also lucky since they were better on the road and picked up points there.

Nevertheless, the loss makes it easy to wonder whether the home-field advantage will aid Charlotte, who NYCFC is facing in the first round of the playoffs.  The Boys in Blue might end up losing twice away and at home.  Also, it is possible that the Boys in Blue win on the road and lose at home.  That is why it will be interesting to see what happens in the postseason.