Itās been another thrilling campaign for New York City Football Club.
The reigning MLS Cup Champions have the chance to defend the trophy in the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, having secured our place in the post-season tournament for the seventh successive season.
Ahead of our first round opener against Inter Miami CF, we look back on some of the key moments of the MLS regular season so far. Which has been your favorite?
Up And Running
Cityās first win of the campaign arrived in our first game back on home soil.
Our first two fixtures had proven frustrating with defeat to LA Galaxy and a goalless draw at Vancouver Whitecaps ā but CF MontrĆ©alās visit to Yankee Stadium saw New York ignite the new term in emphatic fashion.
Alex Callens bagged the Pigeonsā first MLS goal of 2022, smashing home after just seven minutes, before Santiago RodrĆguez doubled the advantage with a delightful chip.
After the visitors had pulled a goal back through Zachary Brault-Guillard, the home side responded with a Talles Magnos header and late Thiago Andrade strike to return to winning ways with a 4-1 triumph.
Six In The City
Aprilās visit of Real Salt Lake to the Bronx proved a memorable one for one man in particular: Taty Castellanos.
The forward hit a stunning four goals to inspire City to a superb 6-0 home win ā our joint-biggest victory ā opening and closing the scoring, and converting twice from the penalty spot, while Thiago Andrade also bagged a brace.
Castellanos opened his account for the season, heading home a corner on nine minutes, and Thiago made it two, rounding the goalkeeper and applying the composed finish.
The two penalties were successfully dispatched, sandwiching another fine Thiago strike, and Castellanosā deflected effort with ten minutes left sealed an unforgettable afternoon for the Argentine.
A Nine-Goal Thriller
A crazy, topsy-turvy encounter unfolded when Toronto FC came to town in April.
City battled back brilliantly from 2-0 down to storm into a 5-2 lead but then had to survive a late comeback from the visitors to hang on to a precious three points.
JesĆŗs JimĆ©nez had put Toronto two goals to the good at Citi Field but Castellanos pulled his side back into the game before the break and Thiago poked home from close range to level, before RodrĆguez turned the game on its head with a drilled finish into the bottom corner.
A Keaton Parks goal and Gabriel Pereira's first goal for the Club looked to have clinched a comfortable triumph ā only for the Canadian outfit to net twice late on.
Though Deandre Kerrās header had looked to be a consolation, after Alfredo Morales was sent off, City had to hold firm to ensure Michael Bradleyās injury-time header counted for nothing, as they hung on for a memorable 5-4 win.
The Kids Are Alright
It's been a real team effort throughout the season and there has been further cause for celebration with the emergence of new blood and local talent.
It's been a breakthrough season for Bronx-born Tayvon Gray, who has featured in 27 games so far, and New Jersey Native Chris Gloster enjoyed a moment he'll never forget, scoring his first MLS goal in May's 3-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes.
Meanwhile, Montclair native Kevin O'Toole has played a key role in the latter end of the season, starting in all four of our final games after joining the Club as a SuperDraft pick; Justin Haak of Brooklyn savored some more senior gametime, and Luis Barraza took his place between the sticks to keep a clean sheet in the Campeones Cup Final.
Samuel Owusu was also handed his first-team debut at New England Revolution and Stephen Turnbull was promoted from NYCFC II, highlighting a bright future for the Boys in Blue.
All For One And One Four-All
Yet another sensational comeback to salvage a draw in Juneās trip to Cincinnati ā this time, New York spectacularly canceled out a three-goal deficit in three first-half minutes!
The hosts had sailed into a 3-0 lead inside the opening half-hour, thanks to Luciano Acostaās early effort and a Brenner brace, and when Maxi Moralez saw a penalty saved, it looked to be a miserable afternoon for City.
However, the boys in Blue burst into life in a frantic flurry of action on the brink of half-time, netting a terrific treble in injury-time at the end of the opening 45 through a Talles Magno flick and HĆ©ber double.
The pendulum swung in the visitorsā favor when Gabriel Pereira struck our fourth of the afternoon, rocketing into the top corner, but Cincinnati fought back themselves as Bremer completed his hat-trick to tie another enthralling game.
Revolutionary
The summer brought a period of change for the Club, as Head Coach Ronny Deila departed for Standard Liege. Assistant Coach Nick Cushing took over the reins and he masterminded his first win in charge with another entertaining contest, as City beat New England Revolution 4-2 at Yankee Stadium.
It was a game that had everything: six goals, a red card and even a penalty miss, but most importantly it was a game that marked a new chapter.
In a frantic opening, Talles Magno broke the deadlock on nine minutes from the penalty spot but our 2021 playoff opponents leveled soon after through Gustavo Bou.
City were awarded a second spot-kick just after the half-hour but Castellanos saw his effort saved. There was further first-half drama to come with a third penalty given, as the visitors were reduced to ten men when Andrew Farrell was dismissed for halting Castellanos' route to goal as the last man.
This time, the forward made no mistake from the spot to put the hosts back in front and Pereira was equally composed in front of goal shortly after the break to make it 3-1, coolly rounding the 'keeper and sliding home.
Bou doubled his personal tally to claw the Revs back into the game but the respite lasted only five minutes as Castellanos grabbed his own brace, converting a rebound to seal a memorable win.
Derby Delight On Red Bull Turf
New York is blue!
City swept the season series against Red Bulls in MLS for the first time in our history with two well-earned victories over our neighbors.
The first was a road win, as the Boys in Blue traveled to New Jersey for the 20th MLS Hudson River Derby, seeking the local bragging rights but having not tasted success on away soil there since 2017.
That run would come to an end in glorious fashion as NYCFC produced a dominant performance, claiming the points thanks to Castellanos' solitary second-half strike.
The winning goal was a thing of beauty, crafted by RodrĆguez's inch-perfect floated delivery for Castellanos to steer home his 13th goal of the season on the volley and spark jubilant scenes in the away dugout.
Blue Shines Through In The Bronx
Derby win number two would arrive a matter of days after we clinched our second piece of silverware: the Campeones Cup.
After defeating Atlas F.C. at Yankee Stadium to lift the trophy, Red Bulls visited The Bronx with the two sides vying for a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference.
A blistering start saw City break the deadlock inside a minute as Alex Callens headed home his second goal in as many games, and RodrĆguez extended the lead before the break, controlling well and sliding home the second.
The hosts cruised to a comfortable win, retaining the bragging rights and moving to within a point of our rivals in the table.
Orlando Magic
A third successive win to clinch home advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
New York produced a superb comeback to complete our home campaign for the regular MLS season, battling back from a goal down against Orlando City to claim all three points at Red Bull Arena.
Callens was on the scoresheet for the third consecutive game, netting the equalizer to cancel out Facundo Torres' opener, before Talles Magno fired home the winner with nine minutes left on the clock.
Having also provided the assist for Callens' leveler, it was a Man of the Match performance from Magno, as well as a battling display from the team to maintain our momentum.
Decision Day Done!
The final day of the 2022 MLS regular season saw City travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face Atlanta United.
It was a ground we'd never triumphed at before and the Boys in Blue wanted to right that wrong, while securing third place and continuing our impressive run of form.
It was another lightning start as Gabriel Pereira opened the scoring after just nine minutes, finishing off a well-worked team move with a delightful clipped effort, and HĆ©ber doubled the lead on the hour with a sweetly-struck volley.
Andrew Gutman pulled a goal back late on, converting from close range, but despite a late flurry of home pressure, City stood strong to preserve the points - Sean Johnson producing a fine individual display with two big saves, showing why he stood second in the clean sheet charts.
It was a battling display that showed another side to City's game - the ability to grind out a win under pressure, despite losing three men through injury - and another positive result to take into the playoffs.
New York City's first round playoff opener against Inter Miami CF is scheduled for Monday, October 17, at Red Bull Arena, kickoff at 7:00PM ET, with coverage on FS1 and Fox Deportes.
You can purchase tickets to the gameĀ here.
