NYCFC's 7-Game Winless Streak Meets Columbus in a Race Both Teams Can't Afford to Lose

Two teams stuck in the mud of a crowded Eastern Conference are about to collide, and neither one can afford another slip. The Columbus Crew and New York City FC both sit at 3-5-3 with 12 points apiece, and they're meeting Sunday afternoon with everything on the line. This isn't just another May matchup. This is survival.

NYCFC Can't Score When It Matters

New York City FC is in freefall. The club started the season hot at 3-0-1, but then the wheels came off hard. They're now 0-5-2 in their last seven league matches, getting outscored 15-8 during the skid. Worse? They haven't found the back of the net since Talles Magno's goal in the 79th minute of a 4-4 draw with FC Cincinnati on April 22. A 1-0 loss to Montreal on April 25 followed by a 2-0 defeat to DC United last weekend has left the squad searching for answers.

The problem got deeper when Magno went down with a calf injury and was ruled out for several weeks. That forced Malachi Jones into the starting lineup for the first time since breaking his leg in June 2024. Jones knows the weight of this moment. "I'm going to have to take them more often, and that's part of finding my boots again," he said. "Putting the team on my back a little bit and saying, 'I will go get us a goal if needed.' For me coming back, those are moments I got to take care of and put away, because that's the standard that I have for myself."

Columbus Isn't Much Better After Minnesota Collapse

Columbus isn't exactly rolling either. The Crew have scored more than two goals just once in their first 11 matches. They started the season 0-3-2, fought back to go 3-2-1 in their last six, but then fell apart spectacularly against Minnesota United last weekend.

The Crew were cruising. Taha Habroune scored in the 31st minute, Hugo Picard added another 25 minutes later, and Columbus led 2-0. Then the second half happened. Minnesota scored twice off corner kicks in a seven-minute span and buried the game-winner on a header in the 74th. Final score: 3-2 loss at home.

Coach Henrik Rydstrom knows there's work to do. "We take steps, but you could also see that we are not by far done," he said. "We have a lot of things we need to improve."

Sunday's Match Sets the Tone

Both teams have nearly a third of the season in the books, and both are clinging to playoff hopes in a packed Eastern Conference. NYCFC will also face Columbus again in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal on May 20, but league play is the priority right now. Stop the bleeding or watch the season slip away. That's the choice facing both squads when they kick off Sunday.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.