Tag Archives: James Sands

Oh To Be 37 Again / Ep 455 / Blue City Radio

Episode 455:

It has been said in creative circles that a key to success is to create to an audience of one. The creative juices flow easier when the distractions of trying to please others are removed and the end-product is better.

This week Mike Anderer tests that theory. J.R. Debart was a last minute scratch from the show due to a work conflict so the decision was quickly made to have J.R. deliver soundbytes on a few topics so they could be inserted into the show during post-production.

This week the guys talk about the thrilling match in Yankee Stadium versus San Jose and the incredible performance by Alonso Martinez, but the real story of this match is the return of 37 year old Maxi Moralez.

Post game audio from Nick Cushing, Maxi Moralez, Matt Freese, James Sands, Mitja Illenic, and Birk Risa round out the show.

Rivalries Weak / Ep 453 / Blue City Radio

Episode 453:

After falling in their last home game of five in a row to Colorado there was some nervousness amongst the NYCFC fanbase, and it was justified. The team was pathetic on the road in 2023 and had a difficult schedule looming. Nick Cushing quipped after the Colorado loss, “We’ve won 10 points out of 15 from the home stand, let’s see where we are after the next 5 games because three are on the road.”

NYCFC would go on to take the next nine available points defeating Toronto last week and completing a sweep of cross-river rivals in Philadelphia on Wednesday and Red Bull on Saturday.

This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen dig into the changes Nick Cushing is making to move NYCFC up the table.

This episode is full of post-game audio from Saturday’s Hudson River Derby.

Cushing’s Wayward Home For Boys / Ep 451 / Blue City Radio

Episode 451:

David Lee, Nick Cushing and company have made the conscious decision to fill the New York City FC roster with an abundance of young men. Young men that are still developing mentally, physically and emotionally.

On a team where the veteran players are 26 years old the only thing coaches can count on is inconsistency.

This week Mike Anderer and Mike Allen invite Andrew Leigh from Hudson River Blue on the show to discuss the unwatchable loss from Sunday as the Citizens hosted Colorado.

The Smell Of Victory Is In the Air / Ep 450 / Blue City Radio

Episode 450:

NYCFC played the fourth of their five-game homestand on Saturday night and despite falling behind early to a team that has frustratingly gotten the best of them, a late winner by Alonso Martinez sealed the three points.

This week Mike and J.R. welcome one of the more polarizing members of the NYCFC social media community, Coach Joe, to the show to discuss the 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC. Together the three take a look at the key plays and moments from the match and share some post-game audio from the players.

Mike also had a chance to chat with Hannes Wolf during the week at training and they talk about the transition to MLS and settling in at New York City FC.

Valley Of the Ashes, No More / Ep 449 / Blue City Radio

Episode 449:

This weekend was a high-point for NYCFC fans. The team capped off another victory against an Eastern Conference rival, DC United, but more importantly Mayor Adams and Councilman Moya were on hand in CitiField to officially recognize the approval of NYCFC’s soccer specific stadium in Willet’s Point.

The guys this week discuss the plans for the stadium and share some audio from Mayor Adams, NYCFC CEO, Brad Sims and NYCFC COO, Jennifer O’Sullivan.

They also break down the victory against a depleted DC United lineup including audio from Nick Cushing, Mounsef Bakrar, Kevin O’Toole, James Sands, and Keaton Parks.

Clean Sheets And Bangers / Ep 448 / Blue City Radio

Episode 448:

New York City FC won. New York City won by scoring more than one goal in a game. New York City won because they scored more goals than the opposing team. New York City FC… you get the idea.

This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen look back the team’s win against New England from last Saturday. The guys also discuss the latest updates on the stadium progress.

Inside the episode is audio from Nick Cushing, Matt Freese, Augustin Ojeda, James Sands, Thiago Martins, Malachi Jones, Birk Risa, Mitja Ilenic, Kevin O’Toole, Hannes Wolf, Andres Perea, Monsef Bakrar, and Keaton Parks.

(Insert Witty Title Here) / Ep 447 / Blue City Radio

Episode 447:

This is what we’ve come to. The well is running dry of ideas and excuses as to why New York City FC continues to waffle and struggle. This is no longer an anomaly. This is New York City FC’s identity under Nick Cushing with this current roster. Gone are the promises of turning it around. Gone are the dreams of being near the top of the table. Gone are the multi-goal games and rosters capable of winning Golden Boot honors.

This week Mike Anderer welcomes Adam and Justin from Post90 Podcast to fill in for Mike Allen and J.R. and the pair offer more support to Blue City Radio than Julian Fernandez and Augustin Ojeda have offered to New York City FC.

The trio go over the draw in CitiField that kicks off the five-game homestead for the club.

In the show they share quotes from Nick Cushing, Hannes Wolf, Thiago Martins, James Sands, Keaton Parks and Birk Risa.

Is Nick Cushing’s NYCFC The Antithesis of Entertainment? / Ep 446 / Blue City Radio

Episode 446:

New York City FC has been in a horrible scoring drought since the end of 2022. In 2023 the club average just over one goal per game and things are not looking better to start 2024 with the club in scoring in only half of their first six matches and only scoring more than a single goal only once this year.

The questions continue for the club. Both Sporting Director, David Lee, and Head Coach, Nick Cushing, have spoken highly of the new roster additions but many of the new players have yet to feature in matches. Cushing remains consistent in his approach of “form over freshness” by giving the same players minutes despite their lack of goals.

This week the guys take a look at the game from Miami, the questions about Nick Cushing’s tactics and look ahead at the next five home games for New York City FC.

A Step In the Process / Ep 444 / Blue City Radio

Episode 444:

New York City FC took a step towards redemption on Saturday night in Yankee Stadium. Against a severely depleted Toronto FC, Nick Cushing lead the team to a 2-1 victory. This is the first victory for the team after conceding the first goal since 2022.

This week Mike Anderer and Mike Allen welcome John Baney (@thePigeonsNYCFC) to the show to go over the game’s highlights.

In the second segment Greg Irwin, the General Manager for NPSL club FC Motown, joins the show to discuss the upcoming US Open Cup match against New York City FC II.

There’s also quotes from Birk Risa, Nick Cushing, Matt Freese and Thiago Martins.

St. Louis Blues / Ep 442 / Blue City Radio

Episode 442:

NYCFC travelled for the first time to St Louis. Nick Cushing knew the style of the club, the players knew what to expect from the opposition and still they looked woefully unprepared for the match. Credit where credit is due, St Louis are an excellent team, but NYCFC should not be man-handled the way they were.

This week Mike, JR and Mike Allen take a look back at the match and discuss the positives and the negatives of what they saw from the coach and the players.

In the second segment they share a conversation that Mike Anderer had at training with NYCFC draft-pick and rookie-signing, Malachi Jones.

Also stick around until the end of the show to learn how you can win a “Backer” level subscription to the newly updated Hudson River Blue.