A realistic outlook on the end of NYCFC's 2026 season and the playoffs

New York City FC's winless streak ended over the weekend after the Pigeons beat Real Salt Lake on Saturday. This was the second seven-game winless streak this season, and it truly sums up what the 2026 campaign has been like. It has been disappointing, and now the team has to play their best football as the regular season winds down.

There are only nine games left before the MLS Cup Playoffs. The 2026 format is the same as in previous years, so NYCFC could make the wild card round if they have a decent finish. But of course, they will want to avoid that and go straight into the first round. Still, expectations are high every year, and even ending toward the middle of the table is not good enough. But reality is reality, and at this point, it is about making the postseason.

With an 8-9-8 record, what does NYCFC need to do to make the postseason?

NYCFC needs to win

The answer is simple. NYCFC needs to win the majority of those nine games. 27 points are on the line. Realistically, NYCFC will not win all nine of their matches. Yet, another win after the one over Real Salt Lake will definitely help. The Boys in Blue will face the New York Red Bulls on Friday, and a Hudson River Derby win would put them five points above RBNY, who sit in tenth place.

To move out of a wild card spot, NYCFC would need either Orlando City SC or the Philadelphia Union to lose their next match. It does not help that Philadelphia is having an incredible turnaround in their season. That is why it is vital that the Pigeons win as much as they can.

Although it will not happen, if the Bronx side won all nine games, then they would finish with 59 points. Even with the other teams, it would make a top-four finish possible. But at this rate, NYCFC fans should assume that fourth place or higher in the Eastern Conference standings is out of reach. Even fifth place looks difficult to achieve since Chicago Fire FC has 39 points and has played one fewer game.

Therefore, the aim should be sixth or seventh place so that the Pigeons avoid the wild card round. Looking at the remainder of the schedule, on paper, NYCFC should win at least four matches, but ideally, six or seven. It is possible, but fans have seen the players blow leads before. Notably, four of those games are against teams above them in the overall standings. One team is Orlando, though, so that one needs to end in a win.

So, what would be a solid and realistic end to the regular season? Going 5-2-2 would be ideal, but even 4-2-3 would not be terrible. That would bring NYCFC to either 49 points or 47 points. Last season, that would not have been good enough for the playoffs, but from 2023 to 2025, that would have been. Hence, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what the Queens side would need, but a 5-2-2 record might be enough to at least finish in seventh place.

Alas, NYCFC has to worry about Philadelphia, and even Orlando, who won their last three fixtures. While the realistic record should be good enough for the postseason, it is possible it might not be good enough for seventh place. That is why the Pigeons just have to focus on winning as much as possible.

Add us as a preferred source on Google