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Charlotte’s Revenge In the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs New York City FC went to Charlotte and achieved something they had never accomplished before, they defeated the home team, twice.  Those two losses eliminated Charlotte FC from the playoffs and NYCFC would move on to face Philadelphia in the next round.   This past Saturday Charlotte got their revenge.   Mike Anderer, Mike Allen and J.R. diBart are back this week to look at how NYCFC dropped another home game and sit winless in four league games.

Vancouver Defeat and Open Cup Success NYCFC were eager to get back on the field again after losing a difficult match to defending Western Conference Champions, The Vancouver Whitecaps, away on Saturday. Luckily the next match was a redemption game in US Open Cup as NYCFC would travel to West Chester to face USL League One side, West Chester FC. This week Mike Anderer, Mike Allen and J.R. diBart focus on the positives and the good gets better with a 5-2 victory for the boys from the Bronx.

Stoppage Time Stunner NYCFC returned to action after the international break and dropped two points from a winning position at home.  The second time they dropped points in as many games. Clinging onto a one goal lead late into second half stoppage time, tire legs and tired minds would fail the boys in blue as St Louis City would score the equalizer in the 96th minute. In this episode, Mike Anderer, Mike Allen and J.R. diBart talk about the good parts and the bad parts of the match. There is also audio from Pascal Jansen and NYCFC goal-scorer, Hannes Wolf.

Topping Off Etihad Park NYCFC took advantage of the off week for the FIFA International window and hosted the Topping Off ceremony as the last horizontal steel beam was placed in Etihad Park.   This week Mike Anderer, Mike Allen and J.R. diBart talk about the event, what if AI became part of VAR analysis and the USMNT as they play two important friendly’s to prepare for the World Cup.

Another PRO Referee Fiasco NYCFC hosting Inter Miami on a Sunday afternoon could have been a showcase for MLS.  Florida versus New York.  Instead it was an exhibition of absurdity. This week Mike Anderer and J.R. diBart welcome back Christian Smith to breakdown the Sunday afternoon match and all of it’s highs and lows. At the end of the show listen to post-game audio from Tayvon Gray, Kevin O’Toole, Johnny Shore and Thiago Martins.

Talles Magno’s Moment NYCFC faced their toughest challenge to date in 2026 with the Colorado Rapids coming to Yankee Stadium last Saturday.  While the Rapids failed to capitalize on their sustained possession, they still proved to be a strong opponent both with their intense press and their defensive rotations. It would be a Nico Fernandez Mercau brace that put NYCFC in the winning position, but the goal of the night was the Talles Magno icing on the cake that sealed the victory in the 85th minute. This week Mike Anderer and J.R. diBart welcome Christian Smith to talk about NYCFC Legends and the game from the weekend.

Dunivant, Sims, Home Opening Shellacking Home Opening games are meant to be a good time.  The guys from the NYCFC Forever Podcast referenced it as being akin to the first day of school as a kid.  First time in a while when you get to see your friends again. NYCFC made sure that the fans that packed Yankee Stadium last Saturday afternoon had a good time, partially thanks to a 16th minute goal keeper gaff. Before the guys got to talking about the game they discussed the media availability with Todd Dunivant and Brad Sims.

The Sweet Taste Of Son’s Of Ben Tears A huge takeaway from NYCFC’s draw in Los Angeles in week one of the season was not being able to capitalize on the man advantage after LA received the red card with 30 minutes left to play.  In week two, NYCFC had less time with a man advantage, but they definitely learned from their mistakes and made Philadelphia pay the price. This week on Blue City Radio Mike Anderer and Mike Allen discuss the road win and the fact that NYCFC is undefeated in two games to start the 2026 campaign.  In the show there is audio from Pascal Jansen, Keaton Parks and Tayvon Gray.

False Nines Giving False Hope Stop us if you have heard this before, NYCFC need a striker. Once again a team with so much promise and quality lacks a definitive player in the key role of striker.  Since the departure of David Villa in 2018 the club has really only seen one quality replacement as a number nine, in Taty Castellanos.  Heber had a good season with NYCFC, but he was never the same after his injury. The start of the 2026 campaign was a stark reminder of why having such a gaping hole in the middle of the attack will limit any team’s chances on truly challenging for hardware. This Mike Anderer, J.R. diBart and Mike Allen break the opening game of the season down.  They also share some audio from Pascal Jansen, Tayvon Gray and NYCFC newcomer, Kai Trewin.

MLS Fantasy with Favian Renkel This week NYCFC supporters got their first real look at the 2026 squad with a livestream of the team’s preseason match against LAFC. Spoiler alert: it looked very similar to last year’s team.   This week Mike Anderer, JR diBart and Mike Allen chat about the game and also give some over/under predictions ahead of the start of the season. In the second segment, Favian Renkel from Kickbase joins the show to talk MLS Fantasy.

Enter Todd Dunivant This was a busy week for New York City FC. First scrimmage of 2026 in the books. Two players out on loan. One player signing confirmed and one rumored. First official press conferences of the season. It feels like the new season is right around the corner because it is.  This week Mike Anderer, J.R. diBart and Mike Allen tackle all the news stories from the club and include some audio from CSO, Todd Dunivant, and head coach, Pascal Jansen.

NYCFC Preseason Begins This week marks the official return of the players for 2026 so it is only fitting that Mike Anderer, J.R. diBart and Mike Allen return to the virtual studio to kick off their 2026 with a discussion about Talles Magno, Keaton Parks and the other returning players to NYCFC.

Justin Haak Officially Departs NYCFC We have all experienced the feeling of not being valued at work.  Value is not about the price tag or cost, it is about the experience.   This week former-NYCFC defender, Justin Haak, made the choice to sign with LA Galaxy.  In the move Haak reportedly signed for a lower salary than offered by NYCFC.   This week the guys discuss the departure of the homegrown player.  They also look ahead at what key positions NYCFC need to fill once they start signing players in 2026.

The Dunivant Era Begins Ultimately NYCFC lost their semifinal match to the eventual champions.  That might not dampen the pain of the 5-1 loss in the Eastern Conference Final but it is a reminder of the success new coach Pascal Jansen had with the club in his first year. Now enter a new Chief Soccer Officer in Todd Dunivant.  This week Mike Anderer, J.R. diBart and Mike Allen discuss what they know about the new CSO and also look at how he will impact NYCFC. They also talk about the 2026 schedule, the 2027 calendar shift and ticket prices in Etihad Park.

The Eastern Conference Final For most of the 2025 season a big talking point about NYCFC was the young average age of the squad.  These weren’t players in their prime.  That changed in summer with the additions of Aiden O’Neill, Nicolas Fernandez Mercau and Raul Gustavo.  Even with those players coming in and helping the club reach another Eastern Conference Final it was not shocking to hear head coach, Pascal Jansen, lecture the team on naivete following the 5-1 loss in Fort Lauderdale. This week Mike Anderer, J.R. diBart and Mike Allen break it all down and discuss their opinions on the future of NYCFC homegrown, Justin Haak.