Not Skipping a Beat / Ep 184 / Blue City Radio

Episode 184:

Domenec Torrent stepped into the limelight Saturday afternoon.  He took charge of his first training session and then lead NYCFC to victory over Toronto FC on Sunday.  We all can agree, the team on the field was Patrick’s but it did not take long for Torrent to start making even slight adjustments to improve NYCFC’s game play and ultimately earn the three points at home.

This week Mike, Jon and J.R. discuss the new head coach’s debut.  We also hear from Anton Tinnerholm, Ben Sweat, Sebastian Ibeagha and Jo Inge Berget post game.  And then there’s some World Cup talk and NYCFC Academy discussion.

The Waiting Is the Hardest Part / Ep 183 / Blue City Radio

Episode 183:

It really doesn’t feel like MLS is on a break.  Between last week’s Wednesday night matches and the US Open Cup games featuring some key MLS duels it is difficult to digest this week as part of the two-week break MLS was taking for the FIFA World Cup.

Alternatively, it also feels like an eternity since NYCFC hosted Atlanta United at Yankee Stadium.  So much has happened to the second place team in the Eastern Conference.

Mike and J.R. sit down with Joe Tolleson from Sirius XM and Yes Network joins us on the Gabila’s Knish Hotline to digest the news and look ahead at how it might impact NYCFC and their quest for MLS Cup.

We also have training audio as Ben Sweat and Sean Johnson share their initial thoughts on the NYCFC coaching changes occurring during the break.  Lastly, we bring the media scrum with Claudio Reyna and he takes the spotlight in the absence of Domenec Torrent.

L – D – L – W / Ep 182 / Blue City Radio

Episode 182:

NYCFC started off the week with another miserable performance in the US Open Cup.  Patrick Vieira threw out what ever lineup he could conjure with the limited number eligible players.  The bright spots were the first start for Jon Lewis, the first 2018 appearance for James Sands and the first team debut of 15 year old Joe Scally.

NYCFC would draw Atlanta United on the weekend 1-1 at Yankee Stadium despite peppering Brad Guzan with 25 shots, 10 of them on target.

The next loss would be the biggest, the departure of head coach Patrick Vieira.  After weeks of speculation and rumors and denials, the official announcement was made that Vieira would be taking over for Nice.

The next move while technically an unknown, should be considered a win.  NYCFC shortly after making Vieira’s departure official would name Domenec Torrent as the new head coach.

Dylan Butler from MLSSoccer.com and ProSoccerUSA joins the show to discuss Vieira’s legacy and the impact on NYCFC.

Vieira’s Wonderful World of Aah’s / Ep 181 / Blue City Radio

Episode 181:

Patrick Vieira did his best to emulate the magical wizard in the movie classic.  In traditional magician’s style he distracted Orlando with a bizarre alignment that seemingly confused some of the NYCFC players as the team missed passes and was uncoordinated on attack.  They were saved in the first half by the spectacular finish of Tajouri-Shradi and the missed PK by Orlando Captain Sacha Klestjan.

And then, by the stroke of his wand and a spell out an ancient leather-bound text, the real NYCFC was revealed in all it’s 4-3-3 beauty.

Mike, Jon and J. R. take a look at the lineup and decisions by Vieira trying to understand the rationale and the long game by the coach.  We also hear post game clips from Ben Sweat, Alex Ring, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, Jon Lewis and Sean Johnson.