Tag Archives: MLS

MLS vs US Open Cup, David Lee vs MLS Pre-season Calendar / Ep 435 / Blue City Radio

Episode 435:

David Lee owes Don Garber a huge debt of gratitude. The announcement from MLS to pull it’s teams from the 2024 US Open Cup quickly captured the narrative in the US Soccer landscape. Even NYCFC fans that were clamoring for news of players coming in January and February moved their attention to the tournament that has brought so much shame and embarrassment to the club in its history.

This week Mike and JR and then Mike and Mike Allen share their thoughts on MLS v US Open Cup and then dive into the stories about MLS 2024 regular season.

Does Nations League Matter? / Ep 433 / Blue City Radio

Episode 433:

This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen recorded the episode while the second leg of the USMNT’s tie versus Trinidad and Tabago Nation’s League Quarterfinal matchup. This lead to a conversation on why some US Soccer fans tune in or turn off different competitions.

The guys also discuss the Sustainability Plans that were released by NYCFC in regards to the stadium project.

Remember that the live broadcast of Blue Christmas will take place next week, Tuesday, November 28 at 7:30pm at Ryan’s Daughter in the Upper East Side.

USWNT Coaching Changes, NYCFC Roster Changes, and Does History Matter? / Ep 432 / Blue City Radio

Episode 432:

The MLS Cup Playoffs roll on, but with NYCFC not participating the guys talk about a myriad of subjects including Emma Hayes being rumored to take over as head coach for the US Women’s National team.

Eventually Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen do discuss the NYCFC roster announcement and the message sent to NYCFC fans about the 2024 season.

Mike Anderer also shares the raw audio at the end of the show from the first exchange he from 2015 with Khiry Shelton.

Is NYCFC Turning Die-hard Fans Into Casual Fans? / Ep 431 / Blue City Radio

Episode 431:

The day would eventually come. The possibly lingered in the distance like a mirage in the desert. Was NYCFC going to keep their playoff appearance streak alive? No.

Now comes the reset. The team will continue to train for the next few weeks as the MLS Cup Playoffs roll on, but all of the sweat and determination will be steps towards success in 2024.

This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen tie a bow on the NYCFC season. They also include post-game audio from the locker room in CitiField from Birk Risa, Andres Jasson, Christian McFarlane, Keaton Parks and James Sands.

Though This Be Madness, Yet There Is Method In’t / Ep 430 / Blue City Radio

Episode 430:

If you haven’t brushed up on your Shakespeare the title of this week’s episode is a quote from Hamlet. The quote was chosen because a recurring theme from NYCFC this season has been the indecisiveness of head coach, Nick Cushing. The lineups were constantly changing. The tactics were always being tweaked. The only consistent aspect of the team’s play was their set piece defending, which quite honestly, given the change in personnel, should have been altered.

This week Mike, J.R. (briefly) and Mike Allen are joined by Christian Smith of Five Borough Footy and by Adam and Justin from The Post 90 podcast to discuss the biggest issues that NYCFC faced during this bleak 2023 season.

The Blame Game / Ep 429 / Blue City Radio

Episode 429:

NYCFC and Nick Cushing knew going to Miami was going to be an important challenge on their bid to make the MLS Cup Playoffs. They were given some glimmers of hope as two of Miami’s bigger stars remained injured and unavailable for the contest.

It’s the hope that can kill you.

This week Mike Anderer and Mike Allen look back at Saturday’s match and just what went wrong for the Boys In Blue.

Cushing’s Three Dimensional Checkers / Ep 428 / Blue City Radio

Episode 428:

NYCFC took all six points this week at home against a very strong Orlando team and a completely opposite woeful Toronto.

Nick Cushing used Talles Magno and Mounsef Bakrar in the attack for the first time on Wednesday and then again on Sunday. It’s the first time the attacking duo shared the field and the results were a much needed relief for NYCFC fans and the coaches alike.

This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen are back to discuss the two games and ponder what it means for the Boys In Blue as they approach the home stretch of the season. There’s also post game audio from Matt Freese, Tayvon Gray, Richy Ledezma and Mounsef Bakrar.

The Hudson River D’Oh-by / Ep 427 / Blue City Radio

Episode 427:

Since the introduction of NYCFC into Major League Soccer in 2015 the rivalry matches between NYCFC and Red Bull have always been special games filled with drama, tension, and memorable moments.

This past weekend in Yankee Stadium the script changed and a toothless NYCFC wasted nearly an hour of the match without recording a single shot against the opponent. In what most fans and pundits determined was a must-win match for both sides, Nick Cushing seemed to be playing for the draw from the opening whistle. Cushing has often in the past said, “games are won and lost in key moments” and it was clear based on the in-game choices that the gaffer was avoiding at all costs a defensive lapse that would result in the loss over the risk taking necessary to earn the full three points.

This week Mike Anderer and Mike Allen welcome John Baney (@thePigeonsNYCFC) from Hudson River Blue to breakdown the game, discuss what options and decisions support their opinions and other stories around the league.

The NYCFC Exodus Continues… / Ep 426 / Blue City Radio

Episode 426:

There were times when earning four points in a week would be considered a positive for NYCFC. There were times when a back-up rookie striker with two goals and less than 500 minutes would be considered a non-story.

In 2023 as the team sits on 30 points with six games to go and with the only true striker on the team not being 90 minutes fit, neither of those two statements can be considered acceptable by the team or its fanbase.

This week Mike, J.R. DiBart and Mike Allen look back at the amorphous NYCFC roster and the last two home games in Yankee Stadium.

There’s postgame audio from Nick Cushing, Birk Risa, Mounsef Bakrar, Tayvon Gray, Matt Freese, Kevin O’Toole, and Justin Haak.

The Legend of Maxime / Ep 425 / Blue City Radio

Episode 425:

I’m a little confused about what to write. There’s a sense of disbelief about the announcement from today. It’s a sensation we all recognize. That pause when we ask ourselves, “Is this really happening?”

Yes, the longest tenured player for NYCFC has abruptly left the club to return to Corsica. Just shy of his 200th appearance for the club, Maxime Chanot made the difficult decision to go home.

Few can fault his logic, but the criticism is evident for Nick Cushing and David Lee, if Maxime’s decision was influenced by the culture in the locker room.

This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen get into the rumors that are now official. They also talk about Messi’s trip to NJ and recap the 3-0 loss away in Cincinatti.