The wait is over: This weekend, we will get our first glimpse of the 2026 edition of New York City FC, when the 2026 Coachella Invitational gets underway. NYCFC are taking part in the preseason exhibition tournament for the third consecutive year, and will play friendlies against LAFC, Sporting Kansas City, and San Jose Earthquakes.
All games will be streamed live on newyorkcityfc.com and on the club's YouTube channel, with NYCFC radio's Glenn Crooks calling the matches. Additionally, the games will be broadcast on local FOX affiliate WWOR-TV, Channel 9.
2026 Coachella Valley Invitational
• New York City vs LAFC
Sun, February 8, 3 pm ET
• New York City vs Sporting Kansas City
Wed, February 11, 4:30 pm ET
• New York City vs San Jose Earthquakes
Sat, February 14, 4 pm ET
The Coachella friendlies do more than give New York City fans a much-needed soccer fix since the team played their last competitive match almost 10 weeks ago. They can provide a showcase for players on the fringes of the roster looking to stake a claim to a spot on the First Team.
Last year, Jonny Shore, Nico Cavallo, and Tomás Romero made surprise starts at Coachella, then went on to feature for the First Team during the regular season. In 2024, MLS SuperDraft pick Malachi Jones played his way onto the NYCFC squad.
Who will have a breakout tournament at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA? Here are 7 things to watch when New York City play in the 2026 Coachella Invitational.
Hudson River Blue Staff
1) Talles Magno: No 9, or on the wing?
The return of Talles Magno has no precedent at the club, a prodigal son who didn't live up to expectations before leaving for Corinthians on loan, but who enters the 2026 season as a favorite in the Starting XI.
Now the question is, where? Will the 23-year-old play in his favored position on the left wing, displacing Hannes Wolf? Talles Magno had the best season of his career in 2022, scoring seven goals and adding eight assists when playing on the left. Or will he fill in at the No 9? His move to striker in 2023 was catastrophic, when he led an anemic attack that scored a club-low 35 goals in 34 games, logging just four goals in 1,907 minutes.
But that was a very different NYCFC, an unsettled team that struggled in front of goal. This year, Talles Magno will be playing alongside a higher-caliber attack featuring Wolf, Nico Ferández Mercau, and Agustín Ojeda, plus the ageless Maxi Moralez pulling the strings as the No 10.
