A disappointing draw before NYCFC face Whitecaps, US Open Cup tests

New York City FC earned their first "draw that felt like a loss" of the 2026 season, and this episode starts with hosts Mark Radigan and John Baney and producer Andrew Leigh trying to figure out how they didn't collect all three points from their meeting with St. Louis City SC at Citi Field.

Our focus is on the missed or wasted New York City chances and the team's inability to get the extra goal needed to see out a win. We second-guess a few of the decisions Pascal Jansen made in the second half and wonder how this attack can get it done when they don't get the required moments of magic from their two most impactful attackers, Nico Fernández Mercau and Maxi Moralez.

With the draw in Queens put to bed, we shift to discussing New York City's potential path to US Open Cup glory, beginning with their Round of 32 clash with local USL League One's Westchester SC. Given the Open Cup match comes as part of a three-game week, a week that includes one of the longest away trips possible in MLS, just what kind of NYCFC squad will we see out there on the pitch in Mount Vernon? It only takes five wins to lift the Open Cup, but the club has never had much success with this tournament, and we wonder if this will be the year that finally changes, or if we're once again in for more of the same.

Injuries are another big topic on this episode, with our crew discussing the serious knee injury suffered by NYCFC right-back Drew Baiera while he was away on national-team duty with the United States U-19s. With Baiera facing an extended absence and with Mitja Ilenič loaned out for the season, how will New York City cope in games when Tayvon Gray might be unavailable or in need of rest?

Then it's on to previewing what will be another major early-season test against an elite MLS opponent, when NYCFC flies thousands of miles to play Vancouver Whitecaps FC on the turf of BC Place. We marvel at some of the weapons accumulated by the Whitecaps, legendary star midfielder Thomas Müller included, and do our best to guess how this East vs. West matchup of strength vs. strength will play out.

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