Tag Archives: USMNT

Def-Con 3 Points / Ep 445 / Blue City Radio

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Episode 445:

What can be said about New York City FC’s performance away in Cincinnati? The team was headed to the defending Supporter’s Shield winners from 2023 missing six players to international duty, one to suspension and two key attackers out because of injuries. The outlook was bleak from the beginning of the training week and despite all of the headwinds, the Boys In Blue conceded a loan goal to Luciano Acosta in the 57th minute.

This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen look at the current state of NYCFC through their first five games. The guys also look at the comparisons to Nick Cushing and Gregg Berhalter.

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Cushing’s Cadre / Ep 438 / Blue City Radio

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Episode 438:

NYCFC starts its next and final phase of preseason with the Coachella Valley Invitational out in Indio California. The three games will prove an interesting test for the head coach and the players as they try to balance honing the tactics for 2024 while still awaiting the arrival of key pieces of the squad. One thing is for certain, this is Nick’s squad of players. While the roster has not turned over 100% from when he assumed the interim role back in 2022, the core of his preferred starters are all players that the coach has had a hand in making sure they are on his roster.

This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen talk about the new signings and pontificate on what this season might look like for NYCFC with the addition on some new talent especially in the area of attack.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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Rinse and Repeat, the NYCFC Way Of Losing Under Cushing / Ep 424 / Blue City Radio

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Episode 424:

Mike Allen returns to the NYCFC press box and to Blue City Radio. The relationship between Mike and NYCFC head coach, Nick Cushing, has improved greatly since the last time the two met tet-a-tet in the Citi Field press conference room, but the results are eerily similar.

NYCFC continues to get the chances and shots, but this continues to be the season of “almost moments”. As the final nine games approach and the magic number for making the playoffs looms, the team is in desperate need of a breakout moment.

This week Mike Anderer and Mike Allen look back on the disappointing result from Sunday and the key choices from Cushing that might be impacting the results on the field.

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The Justin Haak Redemption Curve / Ep 419 / Blue City Radio

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Episode 419:

It was another week for NYCFC with two consecutive draws. Nick Cushing’s squad was hopeful to build off the momentum of the first road win away in Montreal but a poor clearance by defender, Justin Haak, in the Charlotte game would prove to be costly. NYCFC did earn a point in that match thanks to a late goal by Braian Cufre. It was more late heroics in Columbus as Justin Haak entered the history books being the first home grown player to score in a competitive match. Sadly the intensity of Columbus even down a man would prove to be more pressure than NYCFC could absorb.

This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen look back at the crazy two games and even touch a little on the USMNT as they continue their Gold Cup run.

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NYCFC Are Stuck In Neutral / Ep 416 / Blue City Radio

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Episode 419:

The issues with the roster are real. The mistakes by the team on the field are real. Missing key players due to injury and international duty is a real barrier to getting results. Despite all those factors the excuse making from Nick Cushing is wearing the fanbase down and it’s curious to wonder how his approach is impacting the locker room of young talent. NYCFC left yet another two home points on the table as they drew Columbus Crew at home in Yankee Stadium. The dismal road performances have now carried over to the home form and the team remains without a win in ten games.

This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen do their best to find optimism, but the challenges are real and looking to praise performances that are not yielding wins is like trying to award Michelin Stars to fast food restaurants.

In the second segment, J.R. takes a few minutes to chat with Tony Alfaro from NYCFC to see how he’s enjoying life in NY.

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Miami Adds a 10, NYCFC Adds a Point / Ep 415 / Blue City Radio

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Episode 415:

We would be fools if we didn’t talk a little about Lionel Messi and the impact he will have on the league. It doesn’t mean we have the best takes on the subject, but we get some thoughts out there for the listeners to consider on the subject.

In the second segment Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen give their thoughts on the NYCFC draw in Rio Tinto and share some audio from Head Coach, Nick Cushing.

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Villarreal vs NYCFC, NYCFC Fans vs Players, Cushing Feeling the Pressure / Ep 414 / Blue City Radio

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Episode 414:

We have heard the criticism that the episodes need to be tighter, but in a week when NYCFC plays two matches with so many talking points, there is only so much trimming that we can do.

This week Mike, J.R. Debart and Mike Allen talk about the key points from a week when NYCFC only earned a point. They go over the loss to Cincinnati and the draw to New England.

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Jillian Sakovits Saves The Day / Ep 404 / Blue City Radio

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Episode 404:

NYCFC played an uninspiring game on Saturday in Houston, TX. Yes, it was against a Ben Olsen lead team but nonetheless NYCFC’s attack was void of many close chances and their lone shot on goal was taken by Tayvon Gray in the 91 minute.

Luckily for the listeners Mike, J.R. and Chris Campbell were joined this week by MLS’s own, Jillian Sakovits. Jillian joins the show to give the guys a look behind the scenes of MLS and the content they are creating for Apple TV.

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