The prediction remains the same: NYCFC will not make the playoffs
-With two games remaining, the prediction remains the same
New York City FC has only two games left in the 2023 Major League Soccer regular season. The team sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and likely will not be there for long. Five points separate them and 14th place.
Back in August, in what was supposed to be one final prediction, it was predicted that NYCFC would not make the playoffs. The results from the first 24 fixtures caused too much harm to their postseason hopes.
At this time, the Pigeons have multiple teams below them that have one or two more matches to play. This will make it easy for the others to go ahead of NYCFC. Subsequently, this would send the Bronx side below the playoff line. Additionally, this might be the main reason why they do not make the postseason.
The belief that NYCFC will not make the playoffs has not changed
As such, the prediction remains the same: NYCFC will not make the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
The 1-1 draw against Inter Miami CF did not help either. The Pigeons should have won but instead lost out on points.
NYCFC could win their final two fixtures. Alas, based on the facts above, and the idea they will probably find a way to throw away the result at D.C. United, it is still predicted that they will not make the playoffs. Truthfully, it is hard to see the team from Queens making the postseason even if they win those final games.
Now, let's say the Pigeons are victorious. That would lead NYCFC to end the season with 44 points. That would eliminate D.C. and Chicago Fire FC, for the most those teams could earn based on their remaining schedule would be 40 and 43 points, respectively.
However, Miami and Charlotte FC both have four games remaining, including the two between one another. If one of them wins all four, then they would end with 45 points. To add, if ninth-place CF Montréal goes over NYCFC, then they will be pushed out of playoff contention. This is one scenario, but it is highly probable.
As always, anything can happen in the beautiful game. Still, the prediction does not change: New York City FC will not make the playoffs in 2023.