So What Do We Think of the New NYCFC Crests?

These are the final two choices for the NYCFC crest. (nycfc.com)

So early this week NYCFC (NY2) jumped on the beginning of the season hype machine for MLS by announcing the final two choices for it's crest, err badge.  They use "badge," but I prefer "crest" so I'm going with that.  It's actually a pretty smart move for the franchise, one year out from actually hitting the pitch.  It continues building their fanbase by letting fans vote for which crest they prefer on the official club website and gets the rest of us talking about them as part of the league throughout the 2014 campaign.  

Now that they have their first coach, *COUGH--HACK--WHEEZE.* Sorry about that.  Anyway, now that they have their first coach, there will be more steps toward formulating the club's identity and building their support.  You'll have the first signings, the first DP signings, the signing of a sponsor, the first money drop from Manchester City (I kid, kind of), the stadium announcement, the first kit, the first supporter group, the second supporter group, the first cranky disagreement between supporter groups, then finally the first game, the first goal, oh and the first chance to bitch about MLS referees.  Welcome, NYCFC!

Actually I like the crests.  Now, I had seen some others during their design contest that I liked better, but I think these are two solid choices.  I think I like the circular one a little better.  The shield looks just a little too elaborate for my taste, then there's that hint of Mets orange that, as a Braves fan, I think is rather meh.  Honestly, I don't think the club can go wrong with either one though.

In previous entries I've been quite critical of Major League Soccer's choice to put a second team in the NYC area.  But hey, now it's happened, so I'm gonna get behind what the league thought was a good move, even if I disagree.  I'm still not thrilled with the Man City aspect either, but again, it's out of my control.  I do think a healthy derby between Red Bulls and City could be a great thing for MLS, even if it might take it awhile to develop.

There are going to be those who hate it for other reasons as well.  You've got the "I hate whatever MLS does" faction of folks who feel that this sucks just because it's affiliated with MLS.  You also have the history buffs who thought that MLS should have brought the Cosmos back into division one.  NYCFC is always going to be an abomination to these guys with their reanimated zombie version of the Cosmos sitting in NASL while this Man City farm squad plays in the US top flight.  Nobody is ever going to win over either of these two groups of people.

But, if you're an MLS fan like I am, I urge you to get behind this effort at least a little bit, even though it might be a particular issue for my fellow RSL fans.  NYCFC is going to bring more talent into MLS, and we know that Jason Kreis is going to play the right kind of soccer with that talent, well, either that or he'll end up being the David Moyes of MLS.  We shall see.  Besides, away days in NYC?  I'm thinking that might be a pretty good time, don't you?