Double the trouble as NYCFC drops the derby, drops below the playoff line

The mood is grim in the wake of the 1-0 loss to Red Bull New York in the Hudosn River Derby, with hosts Mark Radigan and John Baney and producer Andrew Leigh wondering if New York City FC will even manage to make the MLS Cup Playoffs at this point.

Doubting is easier to do now that NYCFC is outside of the playoff places after a stretch with one win from nine MLS matches played. First, the conversation focuses on what went so wrong in the loss to the Red Bulls: The James Sands error, yes, but also the many missed chances, the stunning lack of resiliency, and some more questionable moves made by coach Pascal Jansen. There's a decent-sized discussion had about Jansen's handling of this year's New York City squad, with questions asked about recurring individual and mental lapses, and if they point to a deeper culture problem under his leadership.

After the derby autopsy, it's on to the rumored Matt Miazga signing. Is the 2026 version of the antagonistic Miazga actually an upgrade on what NYCFC has in-house? Complaints about his history with the Red Bulls and his abrasive style of play aside, the group does generally welcomes the bite and leadership he could add to a team lacking in the toughness department.

From Miazga it's on to a discussion about the newly-released roster profile of this New York City FC squad, highlighting NYCFC's under-delivering premium Designated Player and U22 Initiative roster slots, and the contract decisions looming around players like Thiago Martins, Keaton Parks, and others.

The show wraps with a rundown of the four NYCFC players heading off for national team duty during this FIFA international window, and the particular significance of Matt Freese getting called back up to the United States men's national team, now serving the role of "World Cup veteran" among an inexperienced, young goalkeeper group.

Freese won't be playing in NYCFC's next match, which is the final topic covered on this episode, as the guys preview the away match against Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It's not historically been a friendly place to visit for New York City, but given how bad Atlanta has been this year, and that Atlanta will also be shorthanded thanks to international call-ups, this feels like something close to a "must-win," or at minimum a "don't lose," for NYCFC.

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