Blue City Radio Podcast

FIFA Cash Grab 2026 As the world waits with baited breath for the first whistle in the Men’s World Cup for 2026 the chaos around ticket prices continues. This week Mike Allen, J.R. diBart and Mike Anderer talk about NYCFC season ticket contracts, the NBA finals and the World Cup fever embracing NYC.

World Cup 2026 US Roster This week Mike Allen, J.R. diBart and Joe Chadwick attended the USMNT Roster Reveal event in NYC. The guys take a look at the roster and talk about the upcoming World Cup. There’s audio from Sergenio Dest and Gio Reyna.

Can We Just Forget That Last Week Even Happened? Many MLS fans are still trying to figure out how to process a two month long break in the middle of the season. Most NYCFC fans had high expectations for this past week. A chance to advance to the semi-finals of the US Open Cup. A chance to change the narrative that the club never took the competition seriously. Pascal Jansen previously had said himself that the tournament was a great way to win a trophy. But after conceding the lone goal of the match in the 59th minute, NYCFC appeared to clean house and rest players for the next MLS match. If some NYCFC fans were not sure how to feel about the break, the last two matches will make you want to forget about the club for a while. This week Mike Anderer, Mike Allen and J.R. give their best takes on how NYCFC fell so low in such a short amount of time.

Get Well Soon, Maxi The hectic schedule for NYCFC continues. A midweek clash in Charlotte followed by a derby game on Saturday all leading up to a tough Quarterfinal coming up on Wednesday. It feels as if Jansen has the team running on fumes going into the World Cup break. This week the guys talk about the injury that saw Maxi Moralez leave the field on Saturday and the return of Malachi Jones to a more prominent role in the squad.

The Title Was Too Easy To Pick It felt like it had been 84 years since NYCFC won an MLS game. But it had only been seven regular season games and the only two victories were in the US Open Cup. Finally NYCFC broke out of their slump against a struggling Columbus Crew to slide back up the Eastern Conference table. This week Christian Smith fills in for J.R. with Mike and Mike as the three talk about Jansen’s coaching styles, the team’s response to the run of poor results and of course the hat trick by Hannes Wolf.

DC Outperforms On Marvel Day The US Open Cup victory against Red Bull on Wednesday was epic. A game for the ages with three nearly identical goals from NYCFC to defeat and eliminate their cross-river rivals. All of that elation was quickly diffused by another abysmal offensive performance by the team on Sunday afternoon in the shadows of what will soon become their home. This week the guys take a look back at where this team is under Pascal Jansen and can the results simply be due to the mass of injuries? We have audio from Malachi Jones, Pascal Jansen and Thiago Martins

Hudson River Desperation Match Pascal Jansen is losing his mojo. As the sixth NYCFC head coach following the underwhelming performances by the club under Nick Cushing, Jansen was welcomed with enthusiasm. His results also earned him favor in the locker room, and from fans and the media as well. Now after an abysmal stretch of six game where they only took 2 points with four of those games coming at home, the honeymoon is over. This week the guys are back to look at the results against FC Cincinnati and CF Montreal.

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.

Maxi Does It In Philadelphia Again Only the diehards believed and even some of them might admit it was only half-heartedly. NYCFC limped into Subaru Park on Sunday night and took the fight to the Supporter’s Shield owners leaving them with only their dreams of hoisting a cup. This week Mike Anderer, J.R. diBart and Mike Allen recap the moments from this Eastern Conference semi-final that made it so special. They also look ahead at the difficult task of taking down Lionel Messi and Inter Miami FC on Saturday.

NYCFC Advance To the Eastern Conference Semi-Final NYCFC is a team that knows how to handle adversity. Their legacy began with the club’s second biggest signing missing the first half of their debut season. Their championship season was marked with two key season-ending injuries. Last year breakout rookie star, Malachi Jones, suffered a severe injury mid-season that he still has yet to return from. Despite all of these moments, the team rises, the team comes together and the bond grows. Friday night was another of those moments as midfielder Andres Perea would land awkwardly breaking both his tibia and fibula in the 70th minute in Charlotte. The Boys In Blue rallied as they often do to hold off the home side and win the deciding game 3-1. This week Mike Anderer, J.R. diBart and Mike Allen discuss the options Pascal Jansen has to build a midfield for the next match in Chester, PA. They also look back at the key moments from game three of the first round series.

Win On Friday! NYCFC had a golden opportunity to defeat the team ahead of them in the standings and advance to the second round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Unfortunately the result did not go their way and while it is easy to blame the two young players that missed their penalty kick chances the coach was more focused on why it was not decided in regulation. That leadership is what hopefully will give NYCFC the advantage they need on Friday night in Charlotte. This week Mike Anderer, Mike Allen and J.R. diBart discuss the idea of supporting players during the toughest moments. They also talk more about David Lee’s departure and look back at the first two games of the playoff series. There is audio from Pascal Jansen, Hannes Wolf, Matt Freese, Justin Haak and Tayvon Gray.

MLS v The Media Yes, NYCFC lost to Seattle at home on decision day.  Yes, Mike, J.R. and Mike will discuss it, but before they do, they need to share their thoughts on the state of journalism and coverage of MLS by independent reporters.   It was always a challenge and with the passing of time, … Continue reading Dirty Laundry / Ep 517 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 516: What Belongs In Ethihad Park, Where Would We Be Without NYCFC? This is part two of our series talking with fans and friends from the first ten years of NYCFC history. This episode focuses on two questions: what do you want to see in the NYCFC stadium? and where would you be without … Continue reading NYCFC Ten Year Anniversary Pt 2 / Ep 516 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 515: Knee Deep In the Hooplah A new NYCFC era is upon us.  We now enter the Post-David-Lee era as the former sporting director departs for the vacant position in Kansas City.  As NYCFC wrap up the 2025 season the team will do so trying to fill the key role and look to develop … Continue reading We Built This City / Ep 515 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 514: How do you feel as an NYCFC fan after the week they had?  They were embarrassed at home against one of the strongest teams in the league and then fought back valiantly against their cross-river rival to capture the Hudson River Trophy. It is really a tale of opposites, but ultimately the spirits … Continue reading New York Belongs To Me / Ep 514 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 513: There was so much going on with NYCFC last week that we did not think we could fit all of our thoughts into one episode, and we didn't.  The guys did share some audio with NYCFC CEO, Brad Sims, as well as recap the two thrilling wins from the week that give the … Continue reading Hungry Like the Wolf / Ep 513 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 512: For weeks we have been waiting for some consistency from NYCFC.  Too often their victories fooled pundits and fans alike into thinking they were a solid squad worthy of making a playoff run, only to be followed by games that made people quip if they would make the playoffs at all. Obviously one … Continue reading Jacob's Ladder / Ep 512 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 511: First Memories, Player Interactions, Supporter Culture As we watch NYCFC play it's eleventh season in MLS we thought it would be a perfect time to capture some memories of the first ten years.  During the beginning of this season Mike Anderer sat down with some notable fans and friends to hear their stories … Continue reading Talking About the First 10 Years Of NYCFC Pt 1 / Ep 511 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 510: Pascal Jansen did not mince words in his post game press conference following the 2-1 loss for NYCFC against last place, DC United.  He called out his team saying the “attack was not good enough”.   Yes, DC capitalized on two key moments, but it was the lack of creativity and chances that lead … Continue reading It's OK To Not Be OK / Ep 510 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 509: Are the other teams in MLS sleeping on NYCFC?  That was the debate happening after NYCFC walked into TQL Stadium and took three points from FC Cincinnati and helped de-throne the Supporter's Shield leaders on Saturday night. Mike Anderer, J.R. diBart and Mike Allen share their opposing views on the subject.  They discuss … Continue reading (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman / Ep 509 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 508: The weather delay on Sunday at Yankee Stadium was not as bad as the delay from August 11, 2021 but don't tell that to the fans that waited over an hour and twenty minutes before plays late in the first half of NYCFC's victory over Nashville SC.   It was also the second game … Continue reading Mama, I'm Coming Home / Ep 508 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 507: NYCFC's Leagues Cup run came to an end after a heated 2-1 loss “on the road” in Yankee Stadium to Toluca.  The game included intense moments of drama and NYCFC had their opportunities but did not capitalize on them. This week J.R. diBart, Mike Allen and Mike Anderer review the Leagues Cup from … Continue reading Mama Said Knock You Out / Ep 507 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 506: Were you shocked to see the title of this week's episode comes from an Animaniac's song from 2020?  Is that really more shocking that NYCFC conceding three first half goals only to have the FC Dallas lead erased by two Alonso Martinez goals to wrap up the first NYCFC Away Game hat trick … Continue reading Banana Hammock / Ep 506 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 505: It is the dog days of summer, whatever that really means.  For NYCFC it meant to hot and humid matches.  It also meant Pascal Jansen in a full track suit both nights.  It also meant very limited rotation of players in a week with short rest.  Most importantly it meant 4 points on … Continue reading American Nights / Ep 505 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 504: This week America was on full display as the Club World Cup Final was played in Met Life Stadium in NJ and NYCFC traveled to Charlotte.  Mike Allen and Mike Anderer are joined by Christian Smith to breakdown the week in soccer and to look ahead at a busy week for NYCFC with … Continue reading America / Ep 504 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 503: The Gold Cup comes to an end with the USMNT falling to their rivals Mexico in Houston.  Sports loves controversy and in the 66th minute of the final there was a huge moment that impacted the outcome.   NYCFC also hosted another across the border rival in Yankee Stadium and Mitjia Illenic was in … Continue reading Pigeons / Ep 503 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 502: This week was a tough one for the odds makers.  CF Montreal had not won a home game all season long.  NYCFC is notoriously bad as a road team and had already handed CF Montreal one of their few victories this season.  CF Montreal was missing seven players to international duty and NYCFC … Continue reading The Canadian Dream (Nightmare) / Ep 502 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 501: NYCFC welcomed former head coach, Ronny Delia, and his Atlanta United to Yankee Stadium and it was a wild night for the hometown team.  Monsef Bakrar and Hannes Wolf would combine to score the fastest three goals in club history.   This week Mike Anderer, J.R. diBart and Mike Allen are back to discuss … Continue reading Walk On the Wild Side / Ep 501 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 500! We are all overcome with gratitude to our loyal listeners and followers that tune in.  Some are there every week, some once a season, and some only once ever, but if you have ever given us even a single minute of your time to support the show we are grateful.  We do this … Continue reading I'm Gonna Be (500 Episodes) / Ep 500 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 499: It has been an exhausting month for NYCFC and it's fans.  The team closes out the month with their home game against Houston but it has already been a month of ups and downs.  Currently, the team is on a high after a thrilling 3-1 victory at home against a surging Chicago Fire. … Continue reading Let The Good Times Roll / Ep 499 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 498: Revenge, redemption, and payback.  This week Luis Barraza met his former team and played one his best games of his career to hold NYCFC scoreless in DC and then the Boys In Blue got some payback of their own with a demonstrative victory over Red Bull at Citifield.  Questions still remain about this … Continue reading The Payback / Ep 498 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 497: It easily could be the worst results week in NYCFC history, losing to USL side, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, in the US Open Cup on Wednesday followed up by a loss to last place CF Montreal at home on Saturday.  Pascal Jansen is running out of options as he juggles the extremely thin lineup options. … Continue reading Ousted and Embarrassed / Ep 497 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 496: FC Cincinnati entered CitiField on a five game winning streak and second in the MLS Supporter's Shield standings.  NYCFC have struggled for consistency both on the road and at home.  This was not a match up on paper at least that filled NYCFC fans with confidence.  Enter Pascal Jansen and his tactical acumen.   … Continue reading Cooking With Pascal / Ep 496 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 495: Credit to Roberto Abramowitz and his Spanish language broadcast team for the statistic that NYCFC did not win any of their first five road games three times in their history: 2015, 2023 and 2025.  The huge question is that does Pascal Jansen have what it takes to earn a playoff bid from that … Continue reading Pascal's First Road Victory / Ep 495 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 494: NYCFC entered Gillette Stadium on Saturday night fresh off a victory against a strong Philadelphia side and hoped to carry that momentum on the road in Foxboro.  Unfortunately New England had other thoughts and the performance from NYCFC was simply not good enough as eloquently shared by the captain, “We need to be … Continue reading Captain Obvious / Ep 494 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 493: Ever since 2021 Philadelphia Union fans have complained about NYCFC's Championship run.  This past week in Queens Pascal Jansen lead the boys in blue past the Union on a cold rainy night in Queens.  The game was also a celebration of Keaton Parks's 200th performance in all competitions.  This week the guys give … Continue reading No Asterix Needed / Ep 493 / Blue City Radio →

Episode 492: One of the most famous names in baseball is Wally Pipp.  Ask a true baseball fan and they'll tell you the story not of Pipp's success as a player and World Series Champion as a New York Yankee, but about his headache that kept him out of a game on June 2, 1925. … Continue reading “Risa'd” In the 40th Minute / Episode 492 / Blue City Radio →