Boys in Blue fall to DC United after eliminating the Red Bulls

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

CITI FIELD – It was another deflating outing in Queens for New York City FC on Sunday afternoon, now winless in their last seven league matches. While NYC’s flame was burning blue early in the season it has cooled since their defeat to Miami, seeing them drop from 1st to 9th in the East.

It hasn’t all been doom and gloom for New York. Outside of league play the club has enjoyed success in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, a competition in which NYC has often struggled. In their first four seasons of play the Boys in Blue were eliminated in their first cup match, twice to the NY Cosmos (formerly of the NASL) and twice to the rival Red Bulls.

The Red Bulls got their number once more in 2022, but this year City were able to flip the script, booking a trip to the quarterfinals for the 3rd time.

It was a trio of assists from Maxi Moralez that saw New York City vanquish their rivals on the road. The Argentinian delivered three great crosses for headed goals as NYC won 3-1 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ.

Players, coaches, and fans hoped the big cup win would help reinvigorate the club as they returned to league play, but it wasn’t remotely the case. New York looked weak and ineffective on both ends of the pitch as DC United scored once in each half for a 2-0 win.

The NYC back line desperately misses Justin Haak. As the goals keep leaking it’s clear that it was a mistake to not prioritize retaining the homegrown defender. Partnered with Thiago Martins as a CB last year, Haak helped New York to one of the better defensive records in the league. This year they’ve already conceded 18 goals, tied for 13th worst in MLS.

The offense is also leaving plenty to be desired. The front office suggested they would pick out the right striker to hold the club over until Alonso Martinez returns from injury but no signing landed. Instead the club has relied on Nico Fernandez Mercau, who cooled off since starting the campaign on MVP pace, as well as a few youngsters still in need of development.

It didn’t help the New York offense that Sean Johnson was in great form. The former NYC man (and 2021 cup winner) made a number of phenomenal stops in goal for DC to help preserve a shutout.

The Boys in Blue need to get their play back up to MLS standards in order to remain viable in 2026, but their next stop in the Open Cup also looms later this month. On May 20 NYC will head to Ohio to play the Columbus Crew, with a win putting them into the cup semifinals for the first time in franchise history.

New York will also play Columbus in their next league match, hosting the Crew at Yankee Stadium on Mother’s Day. Between that match and their Open Cup rematch, the Boys in Blue will be on the road as they visit Charlotte on May 13 and the Red Bulls the following Saturday.