NYCFC's 7-Game Winless Skid Hits New Low, and the Crew Smell Blood Sunday

This is what a team in freefall looks like. New York City FC is winless in its last seven league matches. Seven. The offense has completely disappeared. Since Talles Magno scored back on April 22, NYCFC has been a goal-starved mess, getting outscored 15-8 during this brutal stretch that started after a hot 3-0-1 beginning. Now they're 3-5-3 with just 12 points, and Sunday's matchup against Columbus feels less like a soccer game and more like a chance to finally stop the bleeding.

The Offensive Drought Is Real

Let's be blunt: NYCFC can't score. Since that Magno goal in the 79th minute of a 4-4 draw with FC Cincinnati on April 22, this team has been ice cold. They lost 1-0 to Montreal on April 25, then got shut out 2-0 by DC United last weekend. That's the kind of offensive production that gets coaches fired. The absence of Talles Magno, sidelined with a calf injury for several more weeks, has forced Malachi Jones into the starting lineup for the first time since breaking his leg in June 2024. It's a tough spot for a player trying to find his way back into match fitness.

Columbus Isn't Much Better, But They're Hungry

Here's the thing though: the Columbus Crew are sitting right where NYCFC is, at 3-5-3 with 12 points. They're no juggernaut themselves. The Crew have scored more than two goals just once in their first 11 matches. That's alarming. They came into last weekend with some momentum at 3-2-1 over their past six, but then they blew a two-goal lead at home against Minnesota United, losing 3-2 after allowing two corner kick goals in a seven-minute span. Taha Habroune and Hugo Picard got them going early, but the collapse in the second half was brutal. A header in the 74th minute sealed it.

Columbus coach Henrik Rydstrom knows the problems are piling up. "We take steps, but you could also see that we are not by far done. We have a lot of things we need to improve," he said after the loss. Sound familiar? Both teams are looking for answers.

Jones Ready to Carry the Load

With Magno out and the offense struggling, Jones knows this is his moment. "I'm going to have to take them more often, and that's part of finding my boots again. 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," Jones said.

Sunday's clash between two teams desperately searching for offensive identity could be ugly. But it also could be the spark one of them needs. NYCFC and Columbus play again on May 20 in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal, but this league match is the priority. Seven games without a win. That's a streak begging to be snapped.

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