New York-Based MLS Clubs Need to Get Their Acts Together

As the calendar was preparing to flip over to 2015, fans of both New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls carried a ton of optimism about the new Major League Soccer season. 

Eight days into the new year, all hell has broken loose at both clubs, which has caused the American soccer-viewing public to focus on both teams for all the wrong reasons. 

Just before NYCFC fans began to ring in the new year, they were handed the news about Frank Lampard's extended stay at parent club Manchester City. 

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In the days following the official news about Lampard's playing status, many season-ticket holders were angered at the handling of the confusing mess regarding the English midfielder's actual contract status. 

Just as tensions were beginning to subside a bit on the blue half of New York's soccer landscape, the red part of the fanbase received some heartbreaking news. 

In the waning hours of Tuesday night, a report broke from Metro New York's Kristian Dyer about the job status of beloved manager Mike Petke. Less than 12 hours later, the Red Bulls confirmed the parting of ways between the club and the former defender. 

Red Bulls fans felt the same amount of outrage over the managerial switch as their rival supporters displayed a week prior in regards to the Lampard situation. 

Petke was able to end New York's trophy curse in 2013 by capturing the Supporters' Shield. He also destroyed the myth that the Red Bulls can't win playoff games in 2014 with victories over Sporting Kansas City and D.C. United. 

To make matters worse, the Red Bulls almost immediately announced Jesse Marsch as the club's new boss for the 2015 season. 

On a day in which excitement was ready to be had due to the release of the 2015 schedule, the Red Bulls supporters were left in a state of shock. Recently appointed sporting director Ali Curtis let one of the franchise's own go in order to bring in a manager with a new vision for the future. 

Of course, with a massive disappointment comes the recovery process, which both clubs are trying to speed up with rumors of new signings. 

Both ownership groups have annoyed their significant others to the brink of a breakup. But in order to keep the relationship together, they have to buy some pricey jewels to right the ship. 

NYCFC is doing that with a rumored signing of United States men's national team cult hero Mix Diskerud, who at 24 would be a perfect player for manager Jason Kreis to help develop further. The potential signing of Diskerud was first reported by Goal's Ives Galarcep: 

If Diskerud does become a member of the expansion side, it will bring some smiles to the faces of supporters for the time being. But those smiles will turn right back into frowns if Lampard doesn't show up in July. 

MLS commissioner Don Garber confirmed to Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl that Lampard will join NYCFC in July earlier this week. 

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"I’m going to be supportive of all our ownership groups, making them aware of my point of view," Garber told Wahl. "But we need to work hard now to move forward and recognize that Frank will be joining this team in July along with other Designated Players, who throughout the history of the Designated Player program have almost always joined in July." 

Although Lampard will be in a NYCFC shirt this summer, one has to wonder what type of form he will be in for the remainder of the 2015 season. It is no secret that designated players who enter the league during the summer transfer window tend to struggle with adjusting to the league. 

If that is the case with Lampard, who will have a month to rest his legs after the conclusion of the English Premier League season, the brass of the club will hear plenty of complaints from the club's supporters. 

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Having an unproductive Lampard in the lineup throughout the final four months of the season could abandon all hope of making the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference. If NYCFC misses the postseason and end the season on a bad note, we will certainly hear the critics flying in from everywhere about the handling of the Lampard ordeal.

The focal point of the controversy at Red Bull Arena is 100 percent not coming back, which makes things a bit harder for the club's management. 

Call it a minor coincidence that just hours after the club sacked Petke, they were linked with moves for two United States internationals. 

Goal's Ives Galarcep reported Wednesday that the Red Bulls were in talks with Sacha Kljestan, who is looking for a move away from Belgian side Anderlecht: 

The other player linked with the club was Jozy Altidore, who played for the club before moving overseas in 2008. But those rumored moves would only cover up the disappointing decision to let go of Petke. 

The acquisitions of the two players are not guaranteed either, especially the Altidore signing. ESPN's Taylor Twellman reported Wednesday that Toronto FC and the Portland Timbers are interested in the forward: 

By firing Petke in the manner they did, the Red Bulls ownership lumped even more pressure on to the shoulders of Marsch, who has been a candidate for a few MLS jobs since leaving Montreal in 2012. 

Marsch is seen as one of the brightest young American managers around. But if he doesn't lead the Red Bulls back to the Eastern Conference Final, his first season on the job will be seen as a failure. 

Even if the style of play is attractive and big names come to the club in the offseason, the Red Bulls have put themselves in a tough position unless a spot in the MLS Cup Final is the final result.

The Red Bulls and NYCFC, who are scheduled to meet for the first time on May 10 at Red Bull Arena, have mirrored how the Mets, Jets and Knicks run a franchise in the New York market over the last 10 days. 

Both clubs have a chance to rectify their mistakes over the next few months, but it is going to take a lot of on-field success to erase the damage that has been done this offseason. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.