New York City FC have completed a journey, seven seasons after their inaugural MLS season in 2015, from ambitious newcomer to the Red Bulls’ noisy neighbor to the apex of the league.

Now, as NYCFC embark on their eighth season, which begins against the LA Galaxy on Sunday, the goal is to remain there.

“Last year we were the best team, and we want to be that this year as well, but we need to improve from what we did last season,” head coach Ronny Deila told reporters Thursday. “The whole club, including myself, gets more hungry when you achieve something like you did last year.”

After lifting the MLS Cup for the first time — and capturing the first New York City title in a decade — NYCFC lost their fulcrum, James Sands, who joined Steven Gerrard’s Scottish side Rangers on an 18-month loan with an option to buy. The 21-year-old Rye, N.Y., native was the club’s first homegrown signing, making 65 appearances on defense and midfield in parts of four seasons.

NYCFC’s attack, which ranked best in 2021 in creating chances, lost wingers Jesus Medina and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, who produced a combined 16 goals and two assists last year. They joined Russian side CSKA Moscow and MLS foe Los Angeles FC, respectively.

NYCFC will, however, return Valentin Castellanos, the reigning Golden Boot winner.

Though his future with the club beyond this season is in doubt with clubs swirling to lure the Argentinian, Castellanos, 23, will lead NYCFC’s potent attack. His 19 goals last season were tied for the most in the MLS, and he added eight assists for good measure.

Alongside Castellanos up front, youngsters Talles Magno and Thiago Andrade, who both arrived last offseason, will look to expand their roles in place of Medina and Tajouri-Shradi, and solidify themselves in Deila’s plans. The 19-year-old Magno’s 88th minute winner against Philadelphia sent NYCFC to the MLS Cup last year.

“He’s a talented boy, everybody knows that,” Deila told reporters Wednesday about Magno. “It takes some time to adapt to a new team and style of play. I feel he’s ready to be a big part of the team this season. I think him and Thiago [Andrade] were really good today. They are starting to understand how we want it, and then you can add the quality on the ball.”

In the back, NYCFC return veteran and trusted goalie Sean Johnson, who saved two penalties during the shootout in the MLS Cup. The 32-year-old will begin his second season as the team’s captain.

In front of Johnson, NYCFC added designated player Thiago Martins, a center back from Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos, to join a group that will include Alexander Callens and Maxime Chanot.

NYCFC will have to adjust to a busier schedule than last season.

With its MLS Cup, NYCFC earned qualification for the CONCACAF Champions League — a regional tournament that pits the best teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean against each other. As such, NYCFC have been dealing with increased travel and extra games.

NYCFC already got started in the Champion league campaign, defeating Costa Rican side Santos de Guapiles by an aggregate score of 6-0 over two legs.

As NYCFC look to become the first MLS side to win the CONCACAF Champions League, they will have to stave off a retooled Eastern Conference domestically.

“We love to play games, so it’s no problem,” Deila said. “Last year, we played a game every three days, and we are used to it. Now actually, it is boring to train so much, so we just keep on playing. We want to win.

“If we get to win the Champions League, we will have a lot of games this spring, and there’s nothing better than that. We are prepared, we are fit, we have good consistency in the team, in the staff. We just want to continue.”