Some in-season moments that prevented mini-slumps from getting bigger. All before the actual big slump:
Game 7 at LAFC. This came just after the horrific RBA loss to Columbus with the 2 Zelarayan direct free kicks at 82 and 90+5. Goals by Medina at 70 and Shradi at 90 erase a 1-0 deficit. After a number of negative results that seemed undeserved, this was the first positive that felt undeserved. LA was better that day. At the time, nobody knew how much LAFC would slip in 2021. As it was, NYCFC finished top of the league in xPts and LAFC was second, but while NYC underperformed, LAFC did so by much more. Maybe things go different if this game ends different. It also is a nice reflection of how much both Medina and Sharadi contributed the first 30-40% of the season when there was nobody but them and Taty to score.
Game 10 DC (RBA). The third of 3 straight
Home Games at RBA. After a loss to New England, and a bare 1-0 win over Atlanta, NYC fell behind 1-0 to DC United in minute 9. Goals from subs Keaton Parks at 84 and Thiago at 90+5 prevented RBA from feeling even less like home. NYCFC did less well at RBA in 2021 than in 2020, but counting both years, the team has the same PPG all time at Yankee Stadium as at RBA: 2.00.
Game 13 Montreal (RBA). Yet another RBA game. After a shaky first 2 games, both losses, stepping in for Johnson who was on USMNT duty, Barazza gets his first MLS win, clean sheet
and an assist on Shradi's goal as NYC win 1-0. Barazza gives up just 1 goal in the next 2 games, both wins, and is able to hand off a 3-game win streak to Johnson.
Which the team then blew the very next game despite a Johnson clean sheet because NYCFC was shutout for the first time in 25 games by a middle schooler.
One thing I find is interesting is that all three of these games seemed at the time like they could be like the Atlanta Gudi free kick game
FootyLovin listed, and maybe start a great run. But they weren't and they didn't. All they did was stop the bleeding temporarily. But you never can tell at the time, and sometimes that's enough.