Late Friday night on a rain-soaked pitch with a hurricane threatening to make its way up the coast, New York City FC lost to DC United, shattering the supporters' hopes of their team making the MLS Cup Playoffs. Directly after the match fans started populating Twitter with words of support, and a feeling of resignation took over the #NYCFC hashtag.
"No playoffs this year but after the past 5 months of football next season is going to be good!! #NYCFC" — KyleWilkie (@kwilko94)
"Even after a loss, I just can't help but love #NYCFC even more. So much character in a club. Onward!" — Nathan Congleton (@nathancongleton)
"Stand proud #NYCFC" — JCHYON (@jchyon)
"@NYCFC WE ARE NEW YORK CITY'S TEAM, WHETHER WE WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW! I LOVE #NYCFC WITH ALL OF MY HEART! I LOVE THIS TEAM! #WeAreOne" — Matthew Gambardella (@MattyGambs1)
On Saturday, fans awoke hungover from the realization that DC had killed their playoff hopes. The cold drizzle fit perfectly the mood of the city. Most took solace watching a morning full of EPL football. The Man in Seat 9 had a couple of smiling moments that broke through the fog of malaise — A blowout by NYCFC’s sister club Manchester City and a glorious loss by Chelsea FC. The day moved on without expectation. Without much passion, this writer kept tabs on the rest of MLS matches playing out across the league.
And then it happened. Something totally unexpected. One of those situations that make you love this sport. Against all odds, Orlando City SC took three points from the Montreal Impact! At first the Man in Seat 9 was happy for Orlando, the other expansion team in the league, for winning against a tough opponent. Then the implication bled through the remnants of the NYCFC loss and happiness turned to elation. Orlando had saved the playoff chances of the Boys in Blue!
Yes, you read that correctly. New York City FC is still alive. Through unlikely allies, the dream lives. "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."
It’s fitting that for a team that plays in Yankee Stadium, and so soon after his passing, Yogi Bera’s words ring loud and true, “It ain’t over ’till it’s over."
Yes, Montreal needs to have a string of very bad luck, and yes, NYCFC need to win their last two matches by large margins, but the dream is still alive.
Let’s go lads! The fight is still on!
And yes, The Man in Seat 9 buried the lede... apologies.