Double NYCFC disappointment amid injury crisis, USMNT World Cup roster likes and dislikes

New York City FC finally reached the two-month break in MLS action for the FIFA World Cup, but not before losing twice in one week while also losing more important players to injuries.

First, hosts Mark Radigan and John Baney and producer Andrew Leigh review the anticlimactic end to NYCFC's run in this year's US Open Cup, a 1-0 loss in Columbus that showed how hard it will be for Pascal Jansen's team to replace what they've lost in the injured Maxi Moralez. It's a loss that your hosts attribute to nonexistent squad depth, exhaustion, and a return to form for the Crew as they looked rejuvenated while playing under a new head coach.

The vibes didn't get better from there, as NYCFC followed up their midweek Cup quarterfinal loss with a frustrating defeat to Nashville SC to close out the 15-match slate of MLS games they played before the league hit pause for the World Cup. The chances were there for New York City to get something positive, and they did enjoy a few positive moments thanks to the continually-impressive Nico Fernández Mercau and the resurgent Malachi Jones.

Yet this was another game defined by a set-piece goal conceded, an injury-depleted lineup, and a failure to take full advantage of the few key chances that were present while facing the current leaders in the race for the Supporters' Shield.

We also take stock of where NYCFC stands now as the league reaches this midseason break, and how our views on this year's squad have changed after 15 MLS matches. That conversation can't happen without providing an update on the many injured NYCFC players, including Maxi Moralez (ACL) and Kevin O'Toole (abdomen/groin) each needing surgery, Keaton Parks getting scratched during warm-ups before the Open Cup match, the list goes on.

After going deep on NYCFC in the first half of the show, we touch on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani securing 1,000 $50 World Cup tickets for New York City residents, and the significance of Mamdani enlisting New York native, Olympique de Marseille winger, and Brooklyn FC co-owner Timothy Weah to announce the discounted ticket offer.

The show wraps up by diving into the leaked United States men's national team roster for the World Cup, which includes NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese, and also includes a handful of other surprising or discussion-worthy inclusions and omissions. That means we're talking Diego Luna snubs, the value of Gio Reyna and Alejandro Zendejas, the importance of Tyler Adams's health to the midfield, and more.

Listen to the full episode, then find more of our coverage at nysoccerjournal.com, or on Twitter @nysoccerjournal and @NYSJPodcast, on Bluesky @nysoccerjournal.com, and on Instagram @newyorksoccerjournal

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