NYCFC vs. Santos de Guapiles

NYCFC vs. Santos de Guapiles

This is my NYCFC Lineup

Key quote: "Beyond the dugout, netting will extend to Section 011 on the first-base side and Section 029 on the third-base side. The netting in these locations will rise to eight feet above the playing field (approximately 5.5 feet above the wall surrounding the field of play), and will remain in place from the start of batting practice through the end of the game. These sections of netting may be removed for soccer matches or other events held at Yankee Stadium." So the only sections that will have to deal with netting that they didn't have to last year are the ones behind the dugouts. The rest of the sections down both foul lines may not have to.

Orlando City acquires goalkeeper Josh Saunders from New York City FC for fourth-round pick in 2019 draft (aka box of Cheerios)

Two publications out of Denmark have picked up a story naming Esbjerg fB captain and former Danish U-21 Jeppe Andersen as a potential transfer target for our fair NYCFC. A central midfielder who can also cover either one of the wide positions in a pinch, Andersen is set to be out of contract this summer, and has reportedly drawn additional interest from Danish sides Brondby and Midtjylland. The player is quoted at BT.dk as being amenable to a New York City move if and when a formal offer is made. Valued at just over $300,000 by Transfermarkt, the 24 year old Andersen has two goals in seven league appearances this year, and is currently recovering from a knee injury that ought to hold him out until February.

A Christmas miracle? A Chinese knockoff? One of a series of tentative prototypes? Well, we don't know. But the mere fact that this image is a thing that exists -- plus the fact that it's Christmas -- is more than enough cause for us to speculate merrily! [h/t @Gio_Trombetta via The Twitters]

The WFAN radio commentator and Sirius XM host doesn't want you, the NYCFC fan, to feel Scrooged this Christmas. Let's not let Atlanta United have all the fun, shall we? Forget about Seattle while you're at it. We trust our man here-- may there be tidings of a designated player under the tree Sunday morning!

Ronald Matarrita is one of ten players in the running for a defender spot on the North American confederation's best XI of the year. A first-choice fullback for Costa Rica in addition to our dear NYCFC, Mata's big year has earned him rightful attention from a slew of potential European suitors, with reports linking him to Club Brugge, Hamburger SV, and Borussia Dortmund. It's time to support your mans-- cast your vote for Mata NOWRIGHTNOW!

All hail Mata! NYCFC's Tico fullback is in the running for the honor alongside Seattle's Nicolas Lodeiro, Orlando City's Kaka, Diego Valeri of Portland, Joao Plata of Real Salt Lake, Montreal's Ignacio Piatti, and Gio Dos Santos of L.A. For our money, we should probably go with Piatti-- Mata is still coming into his own, after all. But we're actually quite biased: Matarrita all the way! End. Of. Story.