Nick Cushing’s haters are growing louder and louder as NYCFC continues to look for the next victory. Now winless in eleven MLS matches and hovering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table, the team came within three minutes of a victory this past week in Atlanta. The draw from down south was probably one of the clearest moments where the outcome was connected to Cushing’s in-game decisions.
The Boys from the Bronx then flew from Atlanta to Portland and returned to the stadium where they hoisted the MLS Cup back in 2021. It was a match played with resolve as they clawed back a draw after trailing late in the first half.
This week the guys look back at the week’s two matches. They also discuss the question on many fans’ minds, “Is Cushing on the hot seat”?
The issues with the roster are real. The mistakes by the team on the field are real. Missing key players due to injury and international duty is a real barrier to getting results. Despite all those factors the excuse making from Nick Cushing is wearing the fanbase down and it’s curious to wonder how his approach is impacting the locker room of young talent. NYCFC left yet another two home points on the table as they drew Columbus Crew at home in Yankee Stadium. The dismal road performances have now carried over to the home form and the team remains without a win in ten games.
This week Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen do their best to find optimism, but the challenges are real and looking to praise performances that are not yielding wins is like trying to award Michelin Stars to fast food restaurants.
In the second segment, J.R. takes a few minutes to chat with Tony Alfaro from NYCFC to see how he’s enjoying life in NY.
We would be fools if we didn’t talk a little about Lionel Messi and the impact he will have on the league. It doesn’t mean we have the best takes on the subject, but we get some thoughts out there for the listeners to consider on the subject.
In the second segment Mike, J.R. and Mike Allen give their thoughts on the NYCFC draw in Rio Tinto and share some audio from Head Coach, Nick Cushing.
We have heard the criticism that the episodes need to be tighter, but in a week when NYCFC plays two matches with so many talking points, there is only so much trimming that we can do.
This week Mike, J.R. Debart and Mike Allen talk about the key points from a week when NYCFC only earned a point. They go over the loss to Cincinnati and the draw to New England.
First let’s lead with our mistakes. In the opening of the episode there is an excerpt from the commentary from Saturday night’s MLS Season Pass broadcast. The commentator is Devon Kerr, but Mike Anderer wrongfully attributes the segment to Devon’s play-by-play co-host, Tyler Terens.
What is most important might not actually be who says the line, but what is said about NYCFC. It is a damning testament to simply how mediocre and milquetoast this team has become since Nick Cushing took the reigns.
This week Mike Anderer and Mike Allen welcome Andrew Leigh from Hudson River Blue to the show for a conversation about what NYCFC can do to help themselves become relevant in the Eastern Conference.
This is a personal favorite episode for Producer and Host Mike Anderer. It is a favorite because it is an evergreen episode. Yes, there is conversation about the game of the week and some details that will put a virtual timestamp on the episode, but overall this is a broad stroke conversation about NYCFC and the club’s impact on two reporters that have been part of the media landscape since the very beginning.
This week Mike Anderer and J.R. DeBart invite Trey Fillmore from Blue Balls Podcast on as a guest. During the episode the three discuss the recently released stadium renderings, the most current MLS Players Salary data and of course the draw in Orlando, but the most important segment is the dive into the early stages of covering NYCFC. Blue City Radio and Blue Balls Podcast share the unique honor of being the earliest podcasts and dedicated media sources covering NYCFC.
The struggles for NYCFC on the road continued and the frustration from Nick Cushing is showing. The coach was tense in the press conference following the team’s fourth consecutive loss in a row on the road in all competitions.
This week the guys let all of their frustrations out and look at what NYCFC needs to do in order to get better results on the road with the roster they currently have.
This week NYCFC continued their season long trend of conceding goals via set pieces. What was once an advantage for the team is now their achilles heal.
The guys breakdown yet another devastating loss and again at the hands of newcomers to the league Charlotte FC.
In the middle segment Jake Zivin joins the show to talk NYCFC and share his memories from the 2021 MLS Cup in Portland.
NYCFC fans were hopeful that the team would carry their home form momentum on the road for their first of five road games over the next month. Unfortunately a late injury to Gabriel Pereira and the insertion of Kevin O’Toole to the starting lineup would be enough change for NYCFC to disrupt the chemistry.
Despite abysmal play in the first half, the away side would be even at the half time, but the scoreline would change quickly.
This week Mike and Mike Allen give a deep dive into the 1-0 loss and share some of the postgame audio.
In the second segment the guys welcome MLS play-by-play announcer, Tyler Terens (@TNTerens) to give his thoughts on NYCFC and joining the Apple TV broadcast team.
This week NYCFC hosted FC Dallas in their last game of the three game homestand and their last game before playing four on the road so a result was critical. Nick Cushing had a tough decision to make after Richy Ledezma put in a stellar performance against Nashville the week earlier. Where would Santi play?
Gabe Segal gave way after three consecutive starts to the DP as he took his first shot as the striker and the gamble paid off.
This week Mike and J.R. welcome Jake Ritter and Justin Egan to the show to discuss the win from CitiField as well as a look ahead against Toronto.
