NYCFC flops against the Fire, enters make-or-break week with Miami, LAFC next

The big questions are getting asked on this episode, like: Does the loss to Chicago, and the declining odds of playoff qualification that come along with it, represent rock bottom for a New York City FC team that made the Eastern Conference final one season ago?

The nature of the loss, with New York City getting an early lead and getting a man advantage before halftime but wasting it all and losing on an error in possession made by Matt Freese, had hosts Mark Radigan and John Baney and producer Andrew Leigh wondering why all this keeps happening as the team spirals through a stretch in which it now has one win from 11 league matches played.

There are questions raised about Pascal Jansen and some of his decision-making, the mentality of the squad, and even about the longer-term vision for this team. With a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs slipping from the club's grasp, could a big roster overhaul be on the horizon this winter? How hot is the seat for Jansen, and what would missing out on the postseason mean, for the coach, certain players, and even just the perception of the team heading into a high-expectation 2027 that will include the opening of Etihad Park?

The big-picture NYCFC questions will get answered in time, but before that, there are two more matches to be previewed, and the first one comes on the road at midweek against Leo Messi and Inter Miami CF. Miami is on its third coach this season and hasn't looked invincible at its new Nu Stadium (rolls off the tongue), but this matchup has been tough on New York City in recent years. Based on Miami's personnel, it looks like it's going to take a massive performance from the New York City defense to slow down the most prolific attack in MLS and get something positive while in South Florida.

From Miami to Queens and a meeting with LAFC and its two-headed Heung-min Son-plus-Denis Bouanga attacking monster. LAFC has fallen on harder-than-usual times, recently firing coach Marc Dos Santos and not placing as high in the Western Conference table as you'd expect. NYCFC, meanwhile, has yet to win a match at Citi Field this year, and is this the one that ends that trend?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.