The report says NYCFC II finished 2026 with 47 points, its strongest total under Pilkington. That achievement strengthens the case for continuity, but the wider record remains uneven.
A strong points total can change the tone around a coach, yet limited postseason progress leaves room for the club to question whether the team has consistently competed at the required level.
Results are only one part of the job at NYCFC II. Pilkington’s stated mission has been to prepare players for the first team, making senior-team progression central to his evaluation.
Jonathan Shore is reportedly the clearest recent example of that pathway, although his first-team minutes have been limited this season. Kevin O’Toole and Christian McFarlane also feature in the discussion, but neither has yet established a regular starting role for New York City FC.
That gap matters. A reserve team can justify inconsistent league results when it is regularly producing first-team contributors. Without that visible return, the argument for a coaching change becomes stronger.
The move, new colours and new identity give NYCFC II a rare chance to reset without rushing into a decision. The report says the MLS Next Pro calendar will align more closely with Major League Soccer and include a Sprint Season, creating flexibility in the search for a replacement.
The next key storyline will be whether Pilkington leads the team into the new era or whether the relocation becomes the starting point for a different development model.