Why is NYCFC still "soul searching" in year 6?

Probably because our identity is being held hostage by CFG branding and stuffed by budget constraints.

I asked David Lee directly about the budget and why it's only mid-table spend. He pointed to Philly as an example that a large budget isn't necessarily the key. I didn't have the time or space to counter with the CULTURE difference in Philly.

Our overall culture is DRY. Period. Professional, sure. It's DRY as fuck though. That's a bit beside my main point for now though.

The budget is the budget until it's not. Fine. Let's look at where we are right now...

All this adds up to a slightly above average regular season team. Not enough to make deep runs in the playoffs, let alone win a cup.

Watching all of this develop over the last few years has been interesting to say the least. I hope a real breakthrough comes in the next 2 years.