New York City FC won another home opener, but the way they wrecked Orlando City SC while winning 5-0 surprised even the most optimistic members of our Hudson River Blue Podcast crew.
This episode starts with a fond look back at the big win over Orlando at Yankee Stadium, as we attempt to zoom in on what had more to do with the 5-0 scoreline: Orlando's badness, or New York City's greatness? Really, Orlando was quite bad before and after the tragi-comic early red card shown to goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, but is that the real reason NYCFC looked so good in this win? And will Pascal Jansen's team ever come across an opponent who can finish a match with all 11 players still out on the field?
After singling out some top performers and top moments from the Orlando victory, we try to take stock of where NYCFC stands three matches into their MLS season. In taking seven of nine available points to start the year, it means the club is off to its best start since 2018. Have we seen enough to definitively say this team is legit and good enough, as constructed, to win a trophy this season, or is a striker still a must-sign to be considered a true contender?
Then it's a brief detour into the land of Leagues Cup, everyone's favorite mid-summer tournament. New York City learned the identities of their opponents – Cruz Azul, Santos Laguna, and Club Necaxa – and the logistics of the three Phase One matches they'll play in this year's tournament. Spoiler Alert: They're all taking place in Harrison, New Jersey, and thus our excitement for the early-August, post-World Cup tournament takes a big hit.
Finally, it's time to preview New York City FC Matchday 4 when Colorado Rapids come to the Bronx. New York City is unbeaten through three matches, but can they rise to the somewhat less-anticipated occasion of an early-season Colorado visit and maintain the momentum that they gained from their home opener?
Listen to the full episode, embedded at the top of the post, to hear where our optimism levels currently reside, or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Bleav, or wherever else you get podcasts.
