New York City FC's 'Win Now' Philosophy Comes with Benefits and Setbacks

New York City FC has been active this summer. It signed Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo as the club's third designated player, per the official MLS website. NYCFC also acquired former Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni Iraola and Manchester City youngster Jose Angel Tasende in June. It's clear that the expansion side wants success right away and is aiming to make a splash in MLS.

However, like every other philosophy, ignoring the long-term future has some negative connotations for NYCFC.

In March, when ex-Barcelona midfielder Xavi was linked to the club, head coach Jason Kreis revealed that the signing wouldn't make any sense, per Goal.com's Ives Galarcep. Kreis hinted that it would be best for the team to acquire a younger designated player.

The same issue was brought up again when the rumors of Pirlo joining NYCFC first surfaced. In all likelihood, Kreis and his assistants reiterated their desire for a younger designated player, but ownership insisted on the Italian midfielder instead, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News:

If City Football Group did pursue Pirlo despite the protests from staff, it presents some new issues.

Firstly, Kreis will be forced to shuffle his lineup and possibly tinker his system to accommodate Pirlo and Frank Lampard in midfield. Ownership will likely want all three stars to be in the starting XI when available. If the coach can't meet that requirement, he'll take heat.

With Pirlo and Lampard, it will be interesting to see who starts around them. Andrew Jacobson and Ned Grabavoy can provide some defensive stability, but Mix Diskerud is probably higher in the pecking order.

If NYCFC struggles with all three designated players in the lineup, not only is Kreis in trouble, but fans will be upset given the money that was spent to sign David Villa, Lampard and Pirlo. 

Pirlo will make a reported $8 million a year, per ESPN FC's Doug McIntyre. Lampard will be on $6 million annually, according to Brian Straus of Sports Illustrated. Straus also reported that Villa is on the same wages as the English midfielder.

Seth Wenig/Associated Press/Associated Press

On the other hand, players who arrive at MLS from Europe during the season rarely make an immediate impact. However, with nine points separating second to 10th place in the Eastern Conference, missing the playoffs would be a catastrophe.

All of the above will linger in the owners' minds as well as Kreis', but there are some clear positives to the Pirlo signing and NYCFC's thinking behind their recent transactions.

Pirlo can still play at a relatively high level at 36 years of age. He started the Champions League final in June and was a key figure for Juventus during the club's run of four consecutive Scudetti.

It's also gratifying to see NYCFC spending big money. New York City is the largest market in the United States, and ownership has surely caught the attention of many sports fans in the area.

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The three designated players are not only solid on the field, but they're marketable. That is a major reason why they're being paid millions of dollars.

The Iraola and Tasende signings also give NYCFC some defensive depth, which has been a concern for most of the season. 

NYCFC's owners also realize that winning on the field attracts fans more than anything else, no matter the market. Marquee signings only go so far in New York where failure is not an option.

Teams such as the Colorado Rapids and Chicago Fire seldom open their wallets. But when they do, it's on mid-level players like Kevin Doyle or Shaun Maloney. Surely their fans would love it if they spent more. This is why NYCFC deserves some credit for taking the risk.

Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @GalindoPW.