James Sands

Match 14 at Red Bulls by @roryki.bsky.social: Get Well Soon, Maxi ❤️ www.theoutfield.nyc/p/get-well-s...

Match 13 at Charlollte by @roryki.bsky.social : "Whatever, I'm Leaving in Like Two Weeks..." www.theoutfield.nyc/p/whatever-i...

"The first goal in the game is a massive thing in our sport." Pascal Jansen said it after Columbus. The Pigeons proved it again in Charlotte. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc and @justinegan.theoutfield.nyc look at how early goals for NYCFC led to two victories: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/the-first-...

🦇🤝🐦

Might be good news that NYCFC is so injured that Pascal has to play Keaton Parks.

Top notch analysis here from Paul!

Great breakdown from Paul here highlighting Jansen’s prioritizing safe possession instead of taking risks in the attack. The front 6 I’d most like to see given the current roster (but obviously current injuries are now a factor):

you wouldn’t like @paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc when he’s angry actually, you would, read Paul’s banger ! 👇

Watching NYCFC is turning into an unpleasant experience. As the team struggles, Pascal Jansen is bringing them deeper into the mire with a control-first approach that we’ve seen tried and failed many times before in MLS.

Pascal Jansen is sitting Parks, Magno, and Reid, three of NYCFC's five best attacking players by npxG/96, in favor of a midfield and attack that doesn't work. @paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc on how NYCFC is choking away the easiest stretch of their season: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/control-fr...

Really hoping people resonate with The Replacements like I do for the latest at @theoutfield.nyc. Looked into the loss to Montreal, how it fits into NYCFC’s nightmarish six-game winless stretch, and why Keanu Reeves describes it best. www.theoutfield.nyc/p/quicksand

After a hot start, #NYCFC is now winless in their last six league games. But, @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc writes, while the results have turned, the starting lineup has not. www.theoutfield.nyc/p/quicksand

NYCFC and FC Cincinnati combined for eight goals with defensive ineptitude rather than attacking prowess. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc analyzed the matchup between two defenses trying to one up each other in the worst ways. www.theoutfield.nyc/p/nobody-won...

Good morning to Andrés Perea

Match 9 vs. Cincinnati by @roryki.bsky.social: "Not My Best" #nycfc #AllForCincy www.theoutfield.nyc/p/not-my-best

NYCFC's g+ differential in the penalty areas is the worst it's been since 2015. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc looks at how the Pigeons’ futility in the box has the team on a four-match winless streak. Read more here: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/whats-in-t...

Match 8 vs. Charlotte by @roryki.bsky.social: "The Ghost of New York's No. 9" www.theoutfield.nyc/p/the-ghost-...

Thiago Martins didn’t make the trip with NYCFC to Vancouver and the Whitecaps dismantled everything he usually holds together. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc broke down the defensive collapse and why their captain is so important. theoutfield.substack.com/p/o-captain-...

Imagine being down 3 with five minutes left and you gotta see Nico Fernandez Mercau’s ass sub in

"Rather than settling into possession, NYCFC regularly cleared to the halfway line, where St. Louis reclaimed the ball and reinitiated their attack. The average length of NYCFC possession chains cratered from 10.7 passing/shooting actions pre-goal to 5.8 afterward."

In looking into the latest NYCFC game, came across some data that the Pigeons may alter their approach to possession more than most when leading by a goal in the Pascal Jansen era. They did so again vs. St. Louis and it cost them, read more words at @theoutfield.nyc!

Kevin Nelson from @theoutfield.nyc with some interesting data on protecting a lead with specific references to New York City FC vs St. Louis City SC. open.substack.com/pub/theoutfi... #NYCFC #MLS #VANvNYC #NYCvSTL

NYCFC dominated possession 58–42 for the majority of the match, then surrendered that advantage entirely in the final stretch and paid for it. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc breaks down why NYCFC didn't come away with three points against St. Louis City: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/puckered

Match 6 vs. St. Louis by @roryki.bsky.social: "I'm Tired Boss" www.theoutfield.nyc/p/im-tired-b...

I went to an Italian restaurant in NYC to watch Italy yesterday. They failed to qualify for *another* World Cup. This is what it all looked like: www.goal.com/en-us/lists/...

"the backline is wondering how the sweet old man strolling through the park acquired a weapon and is now sprinting at them with it"

Maxi Moralez (39 y.o.) and Leo Messi (38 y.o.) epitomized the “old man game” when they faced off last week. Just a couple of veteran Argentines controlling the game at half the speed as every one else on the field. Wrote words on their battle on @theoutfield.nyc

If NYCFC wants to be a contender this season in MLS, they have some more work to do. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc looks at what went right and what went wrong against Inter Miami and Messi. www.theoutfield.nyc/p/short-kings

Match 5 vs. Inter Miami by @roryki.bsky.social: "We Have No Camera Angle" www.theoutfield.nyc/p/we-have-no...

Hats off to NYCFC. A lot of people are here today to see Sky Scraper

Pascal Jansen showed his tactical flexibility vs. Colorado as NYCFC launched and squished their way to another victory. Deep dive into how they did so at @theoutfield.nyc

NYCFC usually dominates possession, but last week the Pigeons surrendered nearly 60% of the ball & still won convincingly by pressing Colorado into submission. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc on how Pascal Jansen is one of MLS's most stylistically diverse managers: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/knock-your...

We had a NY Renegades FC player warming up in a team issued Snuggie. Bless the Open Cup. #USOC2026

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Match 4 vs Colorado by @roryki.bsky.social: "You Can't Handle the Press!" www.theoutfield.nyc/p/you-cant-h...

Tayvon vs Yapi gonna feed families today 🍿

At the cathedral of American soccer for @theoutfield.nyc. It's been waaaaaay too long, and I can't tell how happy I am to be back.

Keaton Parks is one of the best midfielders in MLS, but he essentially played striker vs. Orlando City. Here's 3+ minutes of Parks doing striker things, read more at theoutfield.substack.com/p/three-for-.... vimeo.com/1173366871?s...

This is the good stuff.

Turns out it’s easier playing up a man. I wrote about how NYCFC took advantage of their third consecutive opponent red card, this time vs Orlando with some fun Keaton Parks striker stuff.

There is more to unpack from NYCFC's 5-0 win over Orlando than just bidding adieu to Óscar Pareja. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc looks at the analytics of red cards & how Pascal Jansen pushing Keaton Parks forward could solve problems for the strikerless Pigeons: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/three-for-...

Match 3 by @roryki.bsky.social: "Another Red?" www.theoutfield.nyc/p/another-red

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Chris continues to be the undisputed voice for all NYCFC stadium news, always a must read.

With our baseball stadium nightmare almost over, @chriscampbell.theoutfield.nyc answers your Etihad Park stadium questions and talks: 🧱 Were you actually promised a brick? 🚢 Expanding ferry access to Willets Point 🗿Maxi Moralez statue location Read it here: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/and-the-le...

With our baseball stadium nightmare almost over, @chriscampbell.theoutfield.nyc answers your Etihad Park stadium questions and talks: 🧱 Were you actually promised a brick? 🚢 Expanding ferry access to Willets Point 🗿Maxi Moralez statue location Read it here: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/and-the-le...

Match 3 by @roryki.bsky.social: "Another Red?" www.theoutfield.nyc/p/another-red

There was some good and there was some bad from NYCFC in dealing with the Union’s typical chaos. None of it may have mattered as much as referee Chris Penso though, I wrote about it all with @theoutfield.nyc.