New York City FC will host Nashville SC on Sunday, with the hopes of improving their playoff standings in the Eastern Conference. With 10 games remaining, City sits in eighth place, just two points from New York Red Bulls outside of the bubble. While they have games in hand, head coach Pascal Jansen knows there is an urgency that must be kept in order to get the team over the line.
“The conclusion is very simple,” said Jansen during media availability. “(These last 10 games) have got to be 10 Finals to get what we want, and that’s to be in the playoffs. That goal hasn’t changed since the beginning of the season. Now it’s 10 games to get the job done. We’re fully committed and determined to make that happen.”
City have only missed the playoffs twice in their history. The first time was in their inaugural season where the team team was near the bottom of the overall standings. The second time was in the 2023 season under then head coach Nick Cushing. They managed to return to the playoffs in 2024 but suffered an embarrassing loss to crosstown rivals New York Red Bulls at Citi Field. This year, City is hoping that their dynamic play will push them over the line.
To do that, they’ll have to deal with stiff competition in Nashville SC. Currently, sitting in third place, Nashville has one of the more impressive road records in the Eastern Conference. Five wins away from Tennessee has them as one of the more formidable traveling teams in the league but their current form is something of a worry. The club has lost their last two games, both on the road to St. Louis City and San Diego.
“We have to focus on whoever is in front of us,” said forward Julian Fernandez. “We have to give our best because we need it and because we have to take New York City to the highest position possible. We will focus on doing our best no matter who the opponent is.”
It won’t be an easy stretch for NYC as all but two of their last 10 games will be against clubs above the playoff line. That focus will have to be razor sharp at Yankee Stadium on Sunday as they look to put the recent rest period to good use and push for better positioning in the playoffs.
photo by Jordan Bank