The next four days could shed light on whether New York City is a real contender in the Eastern Conference of MLS.
The third-place Blues will host the two teams tied for first in the East — Toronto FC on Wednesday and the Chicago Fire on Saturday — at Yankee Stadium, hoping to close what is a five-point gap.
“If we want to win a trophy, if we want a shot at that Supporters Shield, these are the types of games that you need to win,” NYCFC defender R.J. Allen told the website Empire of Soccer. “This is what it’s all about.