I have a growing theory that Talles Magno isn’t with the team in Coachella… This is super unconfirmed, but he didn’t feature in the friendly vs LAFC, and he hasn’t appeared in ANY of NYCFC’s posts since they got there Also, notice who’s missing from the performance trackers…

Pleased to announce our new partnership with Sofascore More here ⬇️

The world at large seems to like Sky but we had to convene a roundtable to discuss all the merits, and all the hang-ups we have with NYCFC’s new pigeon mascot

What a year it's been here at HRB — we had 306,000 unique visitors from 216 countries and territories visit the site, with page views climbing above 775,000 for the first time 🌎📈📖⚽🍾🎉 Here are our Top 10 Stories in 2025 by readership:

🇺🇸 BREAKING: The LA Galaxy are finalizing a deal to sign free agent center back Justin Haak, per sources. Haak, 24, was one of the marquee free agents. Had a breakout 2025 season. Galaxy now reload with Haak and Jakob Glesnes. Big winter. www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Going from Luis Barraza to Sean Johnson, we call that The Reverse NYCFC

Excellent new episode of @hrbpod.bsky.social out now: @glenncrooks.bsky.social stopped by to talk about his new book, his years behind the mic calling NYCFC matches, + plenty more Listen/subscribe/like/buy a copy of Glenn’s book

Final Grade time for Justin Haak: It was a career year for the 24-y-o Homegrown. He not only started all 43 NYCFC games this year, and led the team 3,840 minutes, he was among the league elite in blocks, interceptions, and passes More here ⬇️

Final Grade season is here 🍎 Professor @matthewmangam.bsky.social starts us off with Matty Iceman Freese:

🔵 Sources: NYCFC will name Todd Dunivant their next CSO. Dunivant has been GM of Sacramento Republic since 2018. Also club president. He won five MLS Cups during 13-year playing career. Dunivant inherits a strong NYCFC squad. www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

Transfer news coming in hot and heavy — now we have @tombogert.bsky.social reporting in @theathletic.com that Sacramento Republic pres and gm Todd Dunivant will be the new #NYCFC sporting director More here ⬇️

Our latest installment of Oppo Research has even more insights on Miami straight from Daniel Granada of the Battered Herons podcast, via @matthewmangam.bsky.social

It’s Eastern Conference Final Matchday! To preview #NYCFC vs Inter Miami, Pascal Jansen and Kevin O’Toole spoke on the matchup, how to stop Lionel Messi, and more. www.hudsonriverblue.com/pascal-janse...

We spoke to Taylor Twellman to preview the Eastern Conference Final He says he’s never seen Inter Miami look better than they do right now, but wasn’t writing New York City FC off thanks to Pascal Jansen, Maxi Moralez, Nico Fernández, and some strong 2021-esque vibes

This was by far one of my favorite things Pascal Jansen has brought up in a press conference. Jansen revealed that he showed #NYCFC a video of Kobe Bryant explaining that he was able to stay confident when he played because he was confident in his training and preparation:

They’ll probably request an asterisk on account of having to wait 22 days between matches due to the international break

#NYCFC brought the game to #DOOP, scoring first then bunkering down to keep calm in a chaotic second half — and keep the hosts off the scoresheet to win this Eastern Conference Semifinal Here's @matthewmangam.bsky.social with the Instant Reaction ⬇️

FINAL: #NYCFC 1, Philadelphia 0. NYCFC were without three key players but advance to the Eastern Conference finals and will face Inter Miami.

Maxi Moralez gives #NYCFC the lead for his team-leading 6th-ever playoff goal. The 38-year-old loves scoring against the Union — it's his 6th-ever goal against them, too.

Fun time being a part of opposition research with the Hudson River Blue!

The MLS Cup Playoffs are back, and we spoke to Evan Konigsberg of @phlsoccernow.bsky.social to learn more about this in-form, fully-fit, Supporters' Shield-winning #DOOP ahead of the clash with #NYCFC

Our coverage of the #GothamFC vs @washingtonspirit.com #NWSL Championship final begins with some Oppo Research @joseumana.bsky.social tells @matthewmangam.bsky.social why this in-form Spirit are feeling confident ⬇️

#NYCFC’s 2026 MLS schedule.

Blast from the Past: Is NYCFC vs Philadelphia a 2021 redux? Here's @matthewmangam.bsky.social with the analysis ⬇️

What a wild, wild playoff game. My 5 thoughts on #NYCFC’s 3-1 win over Charlotte FC for @hudsonriverblue.com: www.hudsonriverblue.com/new-york-cit...

We have the intel on this Charlotte squad – @matthewmangam.bsky.social spoke to @dannybrams.bsky.social of @forthecrownbaby.bsky.social for Oppo Research: 5 Things about Charlotte FC 3/3:

Matt Freese finishes 2nd in 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: The #NYCFC shotstopper led winner Dayne St. Clair among players and clubs, but lost the media vote Here's @matthewmangam.bsky.social with the story ⬇️

After how well NYCFC played in Game 1, this performance and loss in Game 2 was not at all how they’d wanted this to go, now forced to win on the road in Charlotte for a second time just to keep their season alive @matthewmangam.bsky.social with more Thoughts on the Yankee Stadium loss

Playoff soccer is back in the Bronx as #NYCFC faces Charlotte. A win today would see NYCFC advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, while a loss would force Game 3 back in Charlotte.

Oppo Research: 5 Things about Charlotte FC @matthewmangam.bsky.social talks to Jorge Gonzales of Topbin90 to learn more about a Charlotte that have their backs against the wall, but that will have Zaha back in the lineup More here ⬇️

Big new exclusive Matt Freese interview by @matthewmangam.bsky.social is here On choosing Harvard over a chance to go pro at Manchester United, learning from Andre Blake, extending his contract with NYCFC, much more ⤵️

Availability report for tomorrow’s playoff game between #NYCFC and Charlotte. For Charlotte: Pep Biel is out, Wilfried Zaha is suspended, and left-back Harry Toffolo is questionable - he only played 63 minutes on Decision Day. For NYCFC: No significant names/changes.

#NYCFC return to the #MLSCupPlayoffs tomorrow when they face Charlotte FC in Round One Daniel Bramlette of @forthecrownbaby.bsky.social talked to @matthewmangam.bsky.social about a team that will be without Zaha and Biel, but that still have Kahlina in the net ⬇️

Justin Haak spoke with our @matthewmangam.bsky.social from the NYCFC training ground to preview the Charlotte series Hear from Brooklyn’s own about the challenge of facing Charlotte away, NYCFC’s confidence against the league’s top teams, + more

Wow, Orlando City's downfall post Leagues Cup needs to be talked about. Slid all the way down to 9th in the Eastern Conference and are down 2-0 to the Chicago Fire in the Wild Card game.

Want to learn more about an underachieving Seattle Sounders who are nonetheless are capable of beating any team in the league? Here's @matthewmangam.bsky.social with the Oppo Research feat @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com of @sounderatheart.com

Thanks to @hudsonriverblue.com for sharing some insights into Saturday’s opponent. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/10/oppo...

HRB's @matthewmangam.bsky.social spoke with @sounderatheart.com for their #NYCFC scouting report ⬇️

Oppo Research: 5 Things about Seattle Sounders @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com of @sounderatheart.com tells us about a Sounders that used 45 lineups in 46 games played, and are battling injuries as they get ready to face #NYCFC at Citi Field Here's @matthewmangam.bsky.social with more ⬇️

NYCFC couldn’t spoil the Union’s party or keep their road unbeaten streak alive, as the attack went quiet and they were left to rue too many missed chances. Here, @matthewmangam.bsky.social’s thoughts on the loss straight from Subaru Park

The Philadelphia Union lifts its second-ever Supporters’ Shield title:

Philadelphia Union defeats #NYCFC 1-0 and wins its second-ever Supporters Shield title:

Agustín Ojeda comes on for Alonso Martínez, and Mitja Ilenič comes on for Tayvon Gray. Nico will move up to the striker spot.

Halftime sub: Kevin O'Toole comes off, Aiden O'Neill comes on. Justin Haak moves to LCB, and Raul Gustavo moves to LB.

It felt like it was coming, but Philadelphia takes a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute. Mikael Uhre's shot from the top of the box took a deflection and beat Matt Freese.

#NYCFC has faced a Philadelphia onslaught, but Matt Freese already with three saves against his former club.

2': A great play between Hannes Wolf and Alonso Martínez should've been 1-0 NYCFC. The Costa Rican dribbled around Andre Blake but sent his shot sailing wide.

Alonso Martinez and Matt Freese back from injury, both get the start. Raul Gustavo at center-back tonight with Kevin O’Toole at LB. Justin Haak in the midfield with Andres Perea and Maxi Moralez. Hannes and Nico on the wings. #NYCFC

Tonight’s view. #NYCFC takes on the Philadelphia Union, looking to play spoiler and potentially delay their Supporters Shield title with a win tonight. @hudsonriverblue.com

#NYCFC will have Matt Freese and Alonso Martinez tomorrow, while Philadelphia has some players questionable, including Indiana Vassilev with a knee injury: