Blue City Radio Podcast

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, it has only gotten worse.  The big question is will it ever turn around?

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 NYCFC?

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 a roster ready to open their stadium in 2027. This week Mike, J.R. and Mike discuss the tenure of David Lee and his legacy of player signings.  They also look back on the loss to Philadelphia Union in Chester.

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 are running high as they enter the last two weeks of the season. And to add some more sugar to the coffee, members of the media, including Blue City Radio’s own JR diBart, were given their first tour of Ethiad Park.  That’s a lot to talk about but the guys get it done and all in less than 90 minutes.

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 Boys In Blue great momentum heading into another extremely challenging week.

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 game is not enough to sway opinions, but with the remaining six games approaching the victory in Chicago was a great start. Listen this week as the guys breakdown the Fire victory and look ahead at the games that remain.  There is also audio from Seymour Reid, Pascal Jansen and Nico Fernandez Mercau.

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 about the growth of the team.  Featured in these episodes are Jon Sanchez, Andy Bajana, Trey Fillmore, Christian Polanco, Chelsea Socias, Gretta Fernandez, Deron Jenkins, Danny Chediak, Brenda Picinic and Karol Lamb.  

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 to the home loss.  Remiscient of Ronny Deila’s infamous, “I’d rather win 5-4 than 1-0” quote, Jansen thinks his team should be able to score more than one goal against a team that came into Yankee Stadium with the worst goal differential in the league. The guys take a stab at trying to make this week without a league game less depressing with their takes and comments on NYCFC.

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 the emergence of Alonso Martinez and what that means for his value as a striker and also discuss what they feel are the top non-PK goals in club history.

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 in a row that NYCFC players scuffled with their opponent.  This time it was Alonso Martinez running about 40 yards to come to his teammate’s defense. This week Mike Anderer and J.R. diBart welcome Adam and Justin from Post 90 Podcast on the show to breakdown the game.

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 an NYCFC perspective.  They talk about the identity of this club and their willingness to fight for each other.  And where are the signings?  Where is the help for Pascal Jansen?

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 in club history?  This week Mike Anderer, J.R. diBart and Mike Allen go back over the chaos that was a Friday night in Frisco, Texas as Pascal Jansen coached his tired and weary team to seven points from a difficult four games on the road.   And as always remember Banana hammock is a another word for thong.

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 the table. This week Mike Anderer, Mike Allen and J.R. diBart go over the last two matches, talk about the absence of Mitjia Illenic and talk about the recommendations to MLS owners about changing the league format and schedule.  

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 two more road games coming up.

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 the thick of building the tension between the two sides. Oh, and then there’s the rumors of a new attacking midfielder, but we’ll get to that at the end of the show.