The task of securing a first-round bye for New York City FC is so tantalizingly close to being completed. Standing in their way is a New England Revolution side on the tail end of a miserable season. What started as a year with playoff aspirations has brought about the end of the Jay Heaps era. As New England showed during their 0-0 draw against Atlanta, they are relishing their role of playoff spoiler.
Patrick Vieira and the Boys in Blue can’t lose focus for a moment, as there is still a chance Atlanta could snatch that second bye, setting up another Hudson River Derby in the playoffs.