A 2-1 loss to New York City FC has not only catapulted NYCFC to within a point of the Fire for second place in the Eastern Conference, but the circumstances of the match raises some of the same concerns that plagued the Fire in their less successful outings this year.
The Fire's home form has been exemplary, but they will need to win a substantial road game at some point if they are going to keep pace with Toronto FC at the top of the Eastern Conference. Their two road wins this season have come against lower-tier teams DC United and New England while failing to take advantage of red cards against New York City and Orlando City, coupled with resounding losses in Toronto and Atlanta.