A look back at the 2024 predictions for NYCFC

The 2024 season is over and done, and New York City FC is focusing on 2025.  Before this recent campaign, Skyscraper Blues put out three predictions.  The overall consensus was that the team would have a better year compared to 2023, but still not perform to New York fans’ expectations.

There were still questions about Nick Cushing heading into 2024, and rightfully so.  Finishing in 11th place in the Eastern Conference was absolutely terrible, and most teams would have sacked him since he did not prove himself.  Alas, NYCFC gave him a chance and brought in a few new signings for 2024.

As a result, the Pigeons finished in sixth place and made the Conference Semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs.  It was a better year overall, but the weaknesses of the team and the head coach still showed in full force.  Cushing was surprisingly but welcomingly fired, and there have already been some roster changes.  Of course, more are expected to come.

So, how did Skyscraper Blues do with the 2024 predictions for NYCFC?  Here is a look at the results.

Looking back at the 2024 NYCFC predictions

3. NYCFC will finish anywhere from 5th to 8th place

As mentioned, it was thought NYCFC would have a better year in 2024.  The team improved the roster between the summer transfer window in 2023 and the offseason.  Many hoped another full year under Cushing’s leadership would be different and he would improve his coaching.

Hence, the first prediction was that the Bronx team would finish anywhere from fifth to eighth place.  In the end, this came true since the Boys in Blue ended in sixth.  This was a little hard to swallow since they could have finished in fourth place if they would have won the final game of the regular season.

Instead, the Pigeons played poorly on the road and lost to CF Montréal.  At the same time, when looking back, there were a few matches NYCFC should have won if not for defensive mistakes, poor substitution choices, and/or bad tactics.  There were some they were lucky to win too.

In some ways, it feels like the team should have finished higher than sixth based on the roster and talent.  The prediction was still correct though, but it would have been nice if NYCFC finished fourth or higher.

2. Julián Fernández will become a star

When Julián Fernández was signed in the summer of 2023, he had glimpses of his talent shine through his appearances during the rest of that season.  There was high hope the winger would shine with a full season under his belt since he had two goals in his nine appearances, with many coming off the bench.

That is why the second prediction was that Fernández would be a star for NYCFC in 2024.  That did not happen though, for there was the belief Cushing failed to develop his younger attacking players, including the Argentine, properly.  His playing time decreased as the season progressed, and he failed to turn into the player he was expected to become.

Fernández made 27 appearances but only started eight times this past year.  He scored just twice and had three assists.  Part of the reason he had reduced playing time was because Hannes Wolf started as the right-winger.  However, when Wolf struggled in the second half of the season, Fernández should have made more appearances.  Cushing did not do that, and his reduced appearances hurt his playing ability.

It was sad to see the winger not live up to his expected potential, and some will blame the head coach.  Simultaneously, Wolf did enough to win the starting role at the start, and Fernández should have individually improved regardless of his situation.  In other words, the reason he did not become a star for NYCFC was due to Cushing and himself.  The prediction did not come true because of multiple reasons and factors.

1. Nick Cushing will be gone before 2025

The final prediction before the 2024 season was that Nick Cushing would be gone before 2025.  The point of view was that the NYCFC head coach would lead his team to a better finish, which he did, but it would not be good enough, which was the case.  It was thought the team would have to be at the bottom of the table for Cushing to be sacked during the season.  Otherwise, he and the club would part ways at the end of the year.

Clearly, this prediction came true.  The same concerns from 2023 remained in 2024.  As the season came to an end, some wondered whether the end of the regular season and playoff run would lead him to stay.  The Front Office decided otherwise, which is why his dismissal was a little surprising.

In addition, multiple NYCFC supporters did not support the head coach.  Again, his substitution choices and tactical decisions were questionable.  Plus, he struggled to make the proper adjustments when the Boys in Blue were losing.  More importantly, he soured relationships with some players like Maxime Chanot and Talles Magno. This disenchanted many fans.

In the end, this is the one prediction that one can be happy with.  It would have been great if Cushing had proven everyone wrong, but he was not the right coach for NYCFC.  The challenge for the club is to bring in a new head coach who will lead the Pigeons to better days.