The wind was whipping in Toronto and it might have blown New York City FC in some new more positive directions, as the team finally won a game on the road and finally made an exciting new signing for us to discuss.
Episode 36 begins with hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan and producer Andrew Leigh breaking down NYCFC's gritty, slightly boring 1-0 win over Toronto FC that came thanks to another Alonso Martínez goal, and despite gale-force winds blowing inside BMO Field in Ontario, Canada. The win was helpful and important but also didn't inspire a ton of confidence, and left us wondering when, or if, we'll see more goals and assists from players like Agustín Ojeda and Julián Fernández, and if Pascal Jansen might be considering other tweaks to his formation or to his preferred personnel after 10 games in charge.
A good time for that aforementioned Argentine duo to start scoring might be Matchday 11 when FC Cincinnati comes to Citi Field. Pat Noonan's Cincy squad is scorching hot, winners of five straight games and now sitting atop the MLS Eastern Conference table. We preview this rematch of Round One of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs and wonder just what it will take to slow down Evander and Kèvin Denkey when they show up in Queens.
This episode wraps up with some more talk about NYCFC's newest signing, Australian midfielder Aiden O'Neill. The consensus among our hosts is that it's a breath of fresh air, or maybe a fresh gust of wind, to see the team sign a seasoned veteran to fill a roster hole, rather than roll the dice on another promising, untested youngster.
Listen below for our full thoughts on O'Neill, the win in Toronto, and the match vs. FC Cincinnati, or find the pod elsewhere on Bleav, Spotify, or Apple Music.
