Dear Readers,
It’s with enormous sadness that I'm writing to say goodbye. When I took over Hudson River Blue late in the 2021 season, New York City FC hadn't yet won a title, and the team's stadium saga was all frustration and dead ends. The media landscape was different, too: HRB was a part of SB Nation, and Twitter was a solid source of news.
Fast-forward to 2026, and NYCFC have a star above the badge and a gorgeous stadium under construction in Queens. HRB also evolved, and it was an honor to help it transform and grow.
But now it’s time for me to step away from HRB.
I can't speak to the future of the site, but I encourage you to follow the people who have made it so exceptional these past few years.
First and foremost, there is Andrew Leigh, who brought so much wit and analytical acuity to his posts — I always enjoy reading what he writes. There is the core group of NYCFC contributors, John Baney, Matthew Mangam, and Mark Radigan, three writers who know the team inside out and cut their teeth writing in these pages. There is Michael Battista, whose encyclopedic knowledge of lower-league soccer and love of the US Open Cup is unmatched. Finally, there is Megha Gupta, who leveled up our Gotham FC coverage, and Tyrese Allyne Davis, who did the same for Brooklyn FC. My advice? Keep tabs on them and their work.
Thank you for your support, and for reading HRB.
Sincerely,
Oliver Strand
