New York City vs Charlotte Player Ratings
Nico Ferández Mercau earns the highest rating for any NYCFC player this year with a playoff-best performance.
Oliver Strand
Oliver is the publisher of Hudson River Blue. A benchwarmer on the 1985 Culver City All-Stars, he grew up supporting the Los Angeles Lazers of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
New York City
New York City vs Charlotte player ratings
NYCFC might have lost to Charlotte in penalties, but there are positives to take from this game. Such as: Matt Freese putting up a Player of the Match performance with his third consecutive clean sheet against Charlotte
All of NYCFC's seven-figure contracts
Nico Fernández Mercau becomes the 12th player in New York City FC history to make more than $1 million per year. Let's take a look at all 35 of the club's seven-figure contracts.
2025 New York City FC Player Salaries Update: 5 Takeaways
Nico Fernández Mercau is NYCFC's highest earner since 2018, there's a new second-best-paid player in the league, and more takeaways from the latest batch of MLS player pay data.
New York City vs Charlotte player ratings
The feels are good after the 1-0 road win in Round One of the playoffs, with Alonso Martínez earning 85% of the vote for Player of the Match for weaving through the Charlotte defense like they were practice mannequins.
NYCFC Playoff Preview: What to expect in Round One
The HRB crew looks ahead to New York City FC's MLS Cup Playoff matchup against Charlotte FC, and what we think we'll see go down in Round One.
USWNT 1-2 Portugal: 3 Thoughts
The United States women's national team were stunned at Subaru Park by Portugal in what Head Coach Emma Hayes called a "kick up the backside."
Zohran Mamdani: A soccer sicko in City Hall?
Zohran Mamdani could become New York City's first Sunday league mayor — the candidate doesn't just understand the offside rule, he even has some thoughts about what Leandro Trossard brings to the Arsenal attack.
Points Per Million: Ranking every MLS club by table position vs payroll
We look at how much every MLS team spent for each point they earned to determine the PPM. Philadelphia, Minnesota, Vancouver, and New York City did good; Toronto, Atlanta, LA Galaxy, and Miami, not so much.
New York City vs Seattle Sounders player ratings
The numbers are fairly meh after the home defeat on Decision Day, which is to be expected. But Nico Fernández Mercau earns your vote for Player of the Match after scoring his third goal since joining NYCFC over the summer, and Máximo Carrizo is in the Player Spotlight.
The best of David Lee, the worst of David Lee
A comprehensive look back at Lee's top five signings and his five biggest flops during his tenure as New York City FC sporting director.
Reactions to the departure of David Lee
The HRB crew looks at the legacy of the sporting director who won MLS Cup for New York City in 2021, oversaw a disastrous 2023, and built the team that's contending in 2025.
A peek inside the Etihad Park construction site in Queens
We take a look at the active construction site that Etihad Park is now, and compare it to what the stadium will look like when it opens in 2027. Has video, slideshow.
New York City vs Red Bulls player ratings
Agustín Ojeda is your surprise pick for Player of Match — it's his first since joining the club at the start of the 2024 season.