2017 Season Review

Seven

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To get over my disappointment from last night, thought it would be fun for everyone to give their takes on the season

MVP:
Most Improved:
Favorite New Signing:
Biggest Surprise:
Biggest Disappointment:
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year:
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year:
Favorite Match:
Top 3 goals:
High point of the season:
Low Point of the season:
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season:
Goal for 2018:

Feel free to add anything
 
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MVP: David Villa, but HM to Alex Ring
Most Improved: Ethan White. Admittedly wasn't hard to improve on 2016, but he did a great job at RB for most of the season.
Favorite New Signing: Alex Ring
Biggest Surprise: Ben Sweat getting signed from a preseason trial, and doing well as a starter with Mata out
Biggest Disappointment: Shelton playing over Lewis
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Maxime Chanot
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: Khiry Shelton, but that is more so because PV can't seem to help himself by playing him.
Favorite Match: 3-1 win vs Atlanta. One of the most complete games we played all year, and was fun to bring Atlanta down a notch
Top 3 goals: Villa vs Philly. Absolutely lost my mind when that went in.
Villa vs Red Bulls goal #2. He decided to score. Great run from midfield
Villa vs Atlanta. Great one-touch passing from multiple players and the a rocket off both posts

High point of the season: Beating the Fire despite playing down a man for most of the game and the Villa hat trick to win the HRD
Low Point of the season: Callens red card. The loss to Toronto is a close second, but that was only 3 points lost. Felt like the season ended the moment that red card came out
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: Unable to finish
Goal for 2018:
MLS Cup or bust!
 
MVP: David Villa
Most Improved: Frédéric Brillant - To think that everyone was cursing this guy earlier on this year. He stepped it up when Chanot went out and proved that he can be a solid CB in this league.
Favorite New Signing: Alex Ring - The guy is the heart of our defense and would run through a brick wall. You can't ask more from him.
Biggest Surprise: Ben Sweat - What more can you ask for a guy who basically came in as a trialist. Another great signing and someone who should be on this team next year to add depth to our bench.
Biggest Disappointment: Jack Harrison - Gonna probably get called out on this but after the first half we saw, I expected more in the second half of the season and he just disappeared in big spots.
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Alex Ring - Enough said.
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: Rodney Wallace - He was good for 2 months. Nothing over the last 7. Also, Khiry Shelton - huge step back this year also.
Favorite Match: 3-2 win over the Red Bull
Top 3 goals: Villa vs. Union, Villa hat trick, Tommy's goal as he runs through the goal and into the net.
High point of the season: Fire win down a man.
Low Point of the season: Basically everything over the last 2 months.
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: Unfulfilled
Goal for 2018: MLS Cup in what could be Villa's last year
 
MVP: David Villa
Most Improved: Ethan White
Favorite New Signing: Alex Ring
Biggest Surprise: Ben Sweat
Biggest Disappointment: Andrea Pirlo
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Herrera
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: Mikey Lopez
Favorite Match: 10 Man NYCFC 2 Chicago 1
Top 3 goals: Villa midfield chip over Blake; Ben Sweat mishit to Lewis feet for gamewinner; Maxi's header
High point of the season: NYCFC 2 RB 0
Low Point of the season: Red card to Callens
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: Better
Goal for 2018: Champions League qualification
 
MVP: Alex Ring.
Most Improved: Harrison. Went from having one move to two
Favorite New Signing: Alex Ring
Biggest Surprise: Ben Sweat
Biggest Disappointment: Wallace
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Herrera
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: Shelton
Favorite Match: Win down a man vs. Chicago (Also because I got to meet Schweinsteiger after the game)
Top 3 goals: Villa's top three
High point of the season: Beating RBNJ in the season series
Low Point of the season: shitty end of not having an actual home game for 2 months
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: Inability to finish
Goal for 2018: Find a finisher to take the load off Villa and give Maxi more than just one option to finish plays.
 
Going to answer before reading other folks' comments in hopes of remaining purely and objectively subjective.

MVP: David Villa

Most Improved: Jack - I think he can take another big step up next year, too. He seems to figure out what his weaknesses are and address them, it just takes him a while so the cycle of "defenders catching on" is quicker than his alteration/improvement cycle. I don't know if that's coaching or just him getting comfortable with new things, but hopefully (and expectantly), he'll have a pretty complete repertoire next year.

Favorite New Signing: Wallace (best was Ring, but you said fav). Even when he sucks, he's an absolute menace. You need guys like him. True gamer, just like Ring.

Biggest Surprise: positive? Ben Sweat, obv.

Biggest Disappointment: PV's treatment of Lewis, Matarrita's injury, Zombie Pirlo (and that sub last night. OMG. THAT SUB. Patricof should have walked down there and told Reyna to fire PV on the spot, and if he wouldn't, JP should have fired them both on the spot.)

Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Herrera.
I'm presuming all the other new guys have at least a two year deal. The only other one I think might have an odd deal is Struna, and I think he absolutely has to be back. To have that kind of quality on the ball and with his passing and the tactical acumen that comes with his experience as a European full international at right back for $15ok is too good to pass up, especially if your alternatives are an unproven youth loanee, Norris and Sitch. Struna is 28, so he could lock that spot down for us for several years.

Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year:
Shelton edges out TPFKAU, until I think about salary, so call it a tie.

Favorite Match: Beating Chicago when down a man, or Sounders in the mud

Top 3 goals:
3. Jack's curler @ RBNJ.
2.Villa's goal @ Philly taken from NJ.
1. Brillant from the ground - shows the bravery and heart I wish we saw more of across the squad.

High point of the season: Beating Chicago when down a man

Low Point of the season: Excluding leg 1 of the PO series, drawing TFC's b-squad at YS

One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: So close, yet so far away

Goal for 2018: Anything short of winning MLS Cup is a massive disppointment

Feel free to add anything
I think I'm good for now, but I reserve the right to revise, modify or otherwise alter any of these opinions should I damn well see it. Also, I reserve the right to meet any differing, uncompelling opinions with inappropriate levels of derision.
 
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Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: Rodney Wallace - He was good for 2 months.
He struggled coming back from injury, no doubt. But he's a valuable piece.

You're getting less derision than you deserve based solely on general likeability you possess.

ETA:
Biggest Disappointment: Wallace

Same goes for you.
 
MVP: Villa
Most Improved: Ethan White
Favorite New Signing: Ring
Biggest Surprise: Sweat
Biggest Disappointment: TMac
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Chanot and Ring
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: TMac
Favorite Match: Chicago man down win
Top 3 goals: Villa bomb vs Philly, Brillant face to foot header, Villa goal against RB where he dribbled from midfield.
High point of the season:
Low Point of the season: Initial announcement of game being moved to Conn.
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: Missed opportunity
Goal for 2018: Legit DP goal scorer
 
MVP: villa
Most Improved: harrison
Favorite New Signing: ring
Biggest Surprise: struna
Biggest Disappointment: white
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: pirlo
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: ethan white and mikey lopez and shelton fuck em all
Favorite Match: wins over red bull
Top 3 goals: villas penalties
High point of the season: beating chicago down a man
Low Point of the season: any time shelton was subbed in
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: we're getting there
Goal for 2018: mls cup finals
 
He struggled coming back from injury, no doubt. But he's a valuable piece.

You're getting less derision than you deserve based solely on general likeability you possess.

ETA:


Same goes for you.
Reason I added Wallace was I saw what he could do with Portland, and was excited as fuck to get to see him play for us. However, I expected to see his play across the whole season, and I was incredibly disappointed that he failed to score and take on defenders for the last half of the season. That's why I'm disappointed.

Not on the Wallace hate train, the opposite actually, but I expected more out of him.
 
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Goal for 2018 (and really expectations, not goal) should be a trophy. I know we can say MLS Cup or bust, but given razor thin margins and potential injuries, nothing is guaranteed. Heck, the “greatest team of all time” generally looked like hot poop last night and was a goal away from being eliminated.

So Open Cup, MLS Cup, or Shield should be the expectations for 2018 if they keep the key players and address several areas.
 
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MVP: David Villa
Most Improved: Ethan White
Favorite New Signing: Alexander Ring
Biggest Surprise: Ben Sweat
Biggest Disappointment: Rodney Wallace
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Yangel Herrera
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: Khiry Shelton
Favorite Match: 10-man win at home vs Chicago
Top 3 goals: Villa chip in Philly x 3
High point of the season: Winning the series vs RB
Low Point of the season: Giving up a 4th goal in the 1st leg in Columbus
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: A tale of two halves
Goal for 2018: Consistent high output through regular season and playoffs
 
MVP: Villa
Most Improved: Brillant.
Favorite new signing: Herrera or Ring. Or Callens.
Biggest surprise: Ben Sweat
Biggest disappointment: Jonathan Lewis's lack of involvement
Player you hope comes back next year: Herrera because I feel confident Ring will be back.
Player you hope not to see in an NYCFC jersey be year: Shelton
Favorite match: 3-2 vs New Jersey (I couldn't make the Chicago one :()
Top 3 goals: Villa's second against Red Bulls. Villa half way lob. Villa against Seattle at the back post.
High point of the season: 10 man win against Chicago. Gutsy performance and glimpses of flexibility and tactical brilliance from PV.
Low point of the season: The international break from hell
One word or phrase to describe the 2017 season: Bad timing and luck with injuries / we need to spread the scoring load.
Goal for 2018: Nail the 3rd DP slot on an attacking player.
 
MVP: David Villa. 22G/9A. Statistically better than in 2016.
Most Improved: Frederic Brillant. He filled in when Chanot went down and had the best defensive stretch of the season during the latter portion. (Position-wise: Sean Johnson as GK).
Favorite New Signing: Alex Ring.
Biggest Surprise: Ben Sweat at LB and then CB where he kept a clean sheet.
Biggest Disappointment: Playing a home game in East Hartford, CT.
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Yangel Herrera
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: Khiry Shelton
Favorite Match: NYCFC vs. Red Bulls - Round II
Top 3 Goals: Villa 53.5 Yard Chip, Villa's 2nd Goal vs. RB, McNamara's strike vs. Colorado
High Point of the Season: 3-2 win at RB
Low Point of the Season: 1st Leg in the Playoffs
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: Missed Chances
Goal for 2018: A Trophy
 
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MVP: David Villa -- Enough said.
Most Improved: Frederic Brillant - at the start of the season we thought the guy was a pylon. He turned into a major piece of our backline after Chanot's injury
Favorite New Signing: Alex Ring - exactly what we needed in that role, and feels like he could be here a while
Biggest Surprise: Ben Sweat - Where the hell did he come from?
Biggest Disappointment: Peaking too early in the season
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Can't pick just one: Yangel Herrera and Jack Harrison
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: Khiry Shelton
Favorite Match: Red Bulls home game on Aug. 6 -- I was there with my dad, going to that game basically made him a fan, he wants to go back as often as possible now.
Top 3 goals: David Villa chip of Blake, Villa's goal vs Minnesota, and his 2nd goal vs Red Bulls. Honorable mention to Lewis's game-winner in injury time vs New England
High point of the season: Win over Red Bulls on Aug. 6 -- it was all downhill from there
Low Point of the season: Easy to say Leg 1, but I'm going to go with the game in Hartford. That was humiliating.
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: Let-down
Goal for 2018: Win the whole damn thing
 
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MVP: Villa forever
Most Improved: Ethan White
Favorite New Signing: Alex Ring, loved having his passion and fight
Biggest Surprise: Ben Sweat was an amazing find and got better as the year went on
Biggest Disappointment: No Stadium news
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: I’d like another year out of Mata before he moves on
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: SHELTON
Favorite Match: the mud bowl with the Sounders
Top 3 goals: watching the Villa bomb three times
High point of the season: 7 points against the Bulls
Low Point of the season: third straight Open Cup dud in the middle of a 4-0-0 June in the league was more surprising than falling short in the playoffs
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: Improving
Goal for 2018: stadium news and support for Villa
 
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MVP: Villa.
Most Improved: Chanot. He was a dominant force before injury, greatly improving upon his initial run of games in 2016.
Favorite New Signing: Sean Johnson. All credit to Ring, Callens and others, but trust in a keeper is welcome after Saunders.
Biggest Surprise: Lewis. Playing time issues aside, he showed why the team made a move at the draft to get him.
Biggest Disappointment: The lack of home games at the end of the season, and the corresponding effect on the team and fanbase.
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Herrera, since Harrison seems likely to return due to MLS salary and sale rules.
Player You Hope Not To See in an NYCFC Jersey Next Year: Stertzer. Nothing against him in particular, but hopeful we continue to increase squad depth.
Favorite Match: Home against Jersey or the 10 man win against Chicago. Don't ask me to choose.
Top 3 goals: The Chip. Villa's second against Jersey. Harrison, late, in the rain, midweek against Sporting Kansas City.
High point of the season: The home win against Jersey.
Low Point of the season: The fourth goal in the first leg of the playoff. After fighting for the road goal down a man, the worst time to revert to 2015 Benny Hill defending.
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: Almost.
Goal for 2018: A trophy and a stadium.
 
I think I did this right...

MVP: Dan
Most Improved:Ulrich
Favorite New Signing: Lion (as moderator)
Biggest Surprise: meeting forum people in person and not getting hit
Biggest Disappointment: meeting forum people in person and not getting hit
Player You Hope Comes Back Next Year: Mr. Garbowski & a 2018 narrative thread
High point of the season: stadium thread
Low Point of the season: stadium thread
One Word or Phrase to Describe the 2017 Season: promising yet ultimately disappointing
Goal for 2018: stadium announcement.