Where can NYCFC finish in the Eastern Conference Standings in 2024?

The last few weeks have been pretty great for New York City FC. The Pigeons have won their last three games and are unbeaten in their previous four. It all started with James Sands' late goal to steal a point against Inter Miami CF. Then, the team beat the New York Red Bulls, FC Cincinnati, and Nashville SC.

The match against the Red Bulls was especially meaningful. Not only did the team win by a 5-1 scoreline at Red Bull Arena, but the result ended the nine-match winless streak. It feels like things have changed for the better over the last few weeks.

Nevertheless, there is still one more game left in the Major League Soccer regular season. NYCFC will be on the road against CF Montréal when they return from the international break on October 19. The Bronx team has been successful against the Canadian team recently, but they will be fighting for a playoff spot. They are in ninth place, but they have not solidified the spot. This could make the fixture a difficult one for the Pigeons.

NYCFC can end the regular season in multiple spots in the standings

At the same time, NYCFC is in fifth place and has yet to confirm where they will finish in the Eastern Conference standings. So where can the Boys in Blue end the season?

Well, it all depends on the Decision Day results for NYCFC, Orlando City SC, and Charlotte FC. The Pigeons can mostly control their own fate by winning in Montréal. That would confirm fifth place regardless of the teams below them. Whether they can move into fourth will depend on Orlando. If the Florida side wins against Atlanta United FC, then they will claim fourth place. A draw in the Sunshine State would make it possible for the Bronx side to hop over Orlando, but that would depend on goal differential since the teams would be tied on wins.

Things get tricky though if NYCFC loses or draws their match. A draw would either confirm fifth place or see the team fall into sixth if Charlotte FC beats D.C. United. Again, goal differential would be a factor.

There is no question that fans will have to hope Charlotte loses their game in the case the Pigeons fall to Montréal. In this scenario, a win for Charlotte would see the Pigeons fall into sixth. A win by RBNY with a Charlotte win would still keep NYCFC in sixth place, for the Hudson River rivals would be tied via points. The first tiebreaker is based on wins. The blue team has 14 wins and the highest number the red side can have is 12. A loss by Charlotte would mean NYCFC stays in fifth.

Hence, NYCFC can finish anywhere from fourth to sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The win against Nashville thankfully secured that. Supporters will have to pay attention to not just the Pigeons' game, but Orlando and Charlotte too.