Even with a second straight exit in the Eastern Conference semifinals, you would have to say that this season was a success overall — New York City FC once again finished as a top-two seed in the East and earned another first-round bye. While there was a dip in form to end the year and the offense seemed to sputter at times, the defense looked much improved from last season.
We learned that Patrick Vieira can learn from his mistakes. After playing a bit too committed to passing out of the back in 2016, and too naive in the MLS Cup Playoffs, Vieira instituted a more pragmatic approach and different looks to his tactics this season.