NYCFC announces Phase 2 of MLS schedule

All in all, Major League Soccer’s return to play has been a success. Outside of Nashville SC and FC Dallas’ issues regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the lead-up to the MLS is Back Tournament over the summer, the league has managed to avoid any issues since returning to play proper in late August. With Phase 1 of MLS’s regular season resumption nearing an end, the league has announced Phase 2 which will consist of three games per team that will round off the the month of September.

With MLS play continuing into the fall, New York City FC has announced their three Phase 2 matchups. NYCFC starts Phase 2 with a quick return to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Revolution on September 19 before returning “home” for two games against Toronto FC and FC Cincinnati on September 23 and September 26, respectively.

Due to health protocols related to COVID-19 that restrict non-MLB teams from playing in Yankee Stadium during the pandemic — and a congested New York Yankees schedule — NYCFC will continue to host their games at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. As expected, no fans will be permitted to be in attendance.

After a shocking start to their season and an underwhelming performance in the MLS is Back Tournament, NYCFC has seen a resurgence in thus far in Phase 1 of MLS’s return. In five games thus far, City have won three of them, have drawn another, and only lost one in league play which has allowed the team to escape from the bottom of the table to 7th in the Eastern Conference, firmly in the playoff picture.

NYCFC is scheduled to finish their Phase 1 schedule tomorrow, September 12, against Cincinnati at RBA.