The Soccer Journal Podcast

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  • SOCCER
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The Soccer Journal Podcast covers all things soccer in New York, with an emphasis on New York City FC and MLS. We are the flagship podcast of the New York Soccer Journal, and we're here to inform you and to keep it fun.

  1. The Blueprint: Why is MLS flipping its calendar?

    2D AGO

    The Blueprint: Why is MLS flipping its calendar?

    In this episode of The Blueprint, hosts John Baney and Trey Fillmore examine why Major League Soccer is shifting away from its traditional spring-to-fall league calendar. To make sense of the league's switch over to a fall-to-spring schedule, it helps to go back to the origins of the current MLS calendar setup, specifically how much influence things like the North American Soccer League (NASL), the weather, TV networks, and the NFL had on the approach MLS chose to take. What worked then doesn't work as well now, though, and John and Trey discuss how the existing schedule creates costly misalignments between MLS and leagues in Europe on things like transfer windows and FIFA's international breaks. Then there's the impact the decision to move MLS match broadcasts to Apple TV has had, freeing MLS from its dependence on traditional broadcasters, one of the original reasons for the summer-centric schedule. What will MLS look like in this new post-calendar-flip era? There are pros and cons to be weighed, like the new timing of the MLS Cup Playoffs (pro), or the fact that there needs to be a "sprint season" early in 2027 (con) rather than implementing the new calendar right after this summer's FIFA World Cup. The change of schedule will have far-reaching effects on the league, so listen to the full episode to get the full picture of why this is happening and what it might mean for MLS. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 4m

  2. 5D AGO

    Dreaming of Open Cup glory, living the nightmare of MLS struggles

    Another eventful week around New York City FC means it's another eventful episode of The Soccer Journal Podcast. Hosts Mark Radigan and John Baney and producer Andrew Leigh (who has a new soccer trivia book out now, which you can check out here) begin by looking back fondly on NYCFC's 3-1 US Open Cup Round of 16 win over their Red Bull rivals. We rate it as a big win, but not just because it knocked the Red Bulls out of a cup competition, something NYCFC had never done before. The road ahead on the path to potential US Open Cup glory now looks downright enticing for New York City, given they travel to Columbus to face the Crew in the quarterfinals but would then, if they advance, get to host a potential semifinal and US Open Cup final, based on the results of the Open Cup draw held after the completion of the Round of 16. The other names left in contention for the trophy aren't necessarily the cream of the MLS crop, either, so are we delusional for thinking NYCFC might be favorites to claim the oldest high-level soccer trophy in America? It might be a bit delusional because, after our Open Cup high, we are reminded of the subsequent low point reached when DC United came to Citi Field and dropped a 2-0 on New York City FC, making it seven MLS matches without a win for NYCFC, and five straight home games without a win, to boot. The level of concern has risen among your podcast hosts, and a lot of the concerns stem from NYCFC's inability to break down teams that stay compact and don't get drawn out defensively, resulting in frustrating, fruitless attacking showings like the one against DC. After we're done dissecting the DC defeat, we run through some quick news items of note, like ex-NYCFC and current Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Ronny Deila being in hot water in Israel for drunkenly sexual harassing a female taxi driver, MLS teaming up with a private-equity company to relocate and rebrand a bunch of MLS Next Pro teams, and Fluminense defender and rumored NYCFC target João Loiola attending NYCFC-DC United at Citi Field and posting about it on his Instagram. Then it's another MLS match preview as NYCFC searches for a rare and elusive victory, so we get you ready for the team's eventual Open Cup quarterfinal opponents, Columbus Crew, as they visit Yankee Stadium for a 4:30 pm ET kickoff on this coming Mother's Day Sunday. It's a jumbo-sized episode with lots of ground covered, so listen to the full thing, then find more of our coverage at nysoccerjournal.com, or on Twitter @nysoccerjournal and @NYSJPodcast, on Bluesky @nysoccerjournal.com, and on Instagram @newyorksoccerjournal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 12m
  3. The Blueprint: What is PascalBall?

    MAY 1

    The Blueprint: What is PascalBall?

    Introducing a new podcast offering from the New York Soccer Journal: The Blueprint, with hosts John Baney, who you know from The Soccer Journal Podcast, and Trey Fillmore, who you know from the Blue Balls NYCFC podcast. Each episode of The Blueprint tackles a single topic and dives deep on that topic. These topics might relate to New York City FC, or they might be storylines of note from elsewhere in Major League Soccer or from across the wider soccer landscape. In this inaugural episode, John and Trey tackle the question: How do you define Pascal Jansen Ball? They go over the philosophies and tactical principles that guide the New York City FC coach as he sets up his team, from his pressing system to his preferences for patient build-up play and wide overloads. Talk of Jansen's style and approach leads into a discussion of how to explain New York City FC's poor early-season league form in 2026, which has been plagued by late-game collapses and costly concentration lapses. In the end, you get a comprehensive review of Pascal Jansen the coach, tracing his path and progression from the PSV Eindhoven youth system and his tenure with AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, to his stint with Ferencváros in Hungary, and then to this present moment here with NYCFC in MLS. Listen to the full episode above or on Apple, Spotify, or Bleav, and be sure you're subscribed to The Soccer Journal Podcast on your preferred podcast feed of choice as we begin to roll out more episodes of The Blueprint in the weeks to come. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 13m

  4. APR 28

    NYCFC winless streak continues, Hudson River Derby returns in Open Cup

    First, in podcast housekeeping news: We are officially now The Soccer Journal Podcast! We thank you the listeners for riding through our transition period post-Hudson River Blue, but we're now all settled into our new permanent name and identity. That sorted, we're back to talking about New York City FC and the doubly disappointing week that included a bonkers, deflating 4-4 draw with FC Cincinnati at Yankee Stadium, then a limp, forgettable performance in a 1-0 loss away to CF Montréal. It's a lot of dissection of how New York City let a two-goal lead slip in the final minutes against Cincinnati, then how flat they looked in Montréal while getting shut out for a fourth straight time when facing the artists formerly known as the Impact. The recurring themes of our discussion: New York City's persistent struggles at the back this season, and their desperate need for more attacking help for Nico Fernández Mercau and Maxi Moralez. On that attacking note, we spend some time wondering aloud about Pascal Jansen's decision to start Arnau Farnós in Montréal instead of one of his three Designated Players, Talles Magno, and what that says for Talles's place in the squad and the current state of NYCFC's depth chart. Then it's on to a future topics, and first up, this summer's FIFA World Cup. We cover the news that New York City will now have five entirely free World Cup fan zones, one in each borough, after soccer-loving Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul teamed up to reverse course on the earlier plan, which only called for two New York City-based fan zones and required paid admission for the one in Queens. At least one facet of the most expensive World Cup ever gets slightly less expensive. Then to close out this episode, we've got a big preview block looking ahead to both the first Hudson River Derby of 2026, in the Round of 16 of the US Open Cup no less, and the next chance for NYCFC to end their MLS winless streak when they host DC United on Matchday 11 in Queens. How optimistic are we feeling about the two matches to come this week? More optimistic than you might expect for a podcast about a team that's winless in six league games! Listen to the full episode, then find more of our coverage at nysoccerjournal.com, or on Twitter @nysoccerjournal and @NYSJPodcast, on Bluesky @nysoccerjournal.com, and on Instagram @newyorksoccerjournal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 8m

  5. APR 22

    What's kept NYCFC winless during their four-match MLS skid

    Another busy three-game week for New York City FC, but before hosts Mark Radigan and John Baney and producer Andrew Leigh dive into match recapping and previewing, there's important housekeeping to attend to: The launch of the New York Soccer Journal, the new home of this very podcast. After chatting about the big "personal news" of the new outlet's debut, it's on to an unfortunate revisiting of New York City's 2-1 loss to Charlotte FC at Citi Field. Possession was controlled, chances were created, yet no points were earned by NYCFC, a fourth straight MLS match without a win, and a third straight home game without a win. There's talk of the biggest causes for concern during this winless rut, as well as some eyes turned toward the summer transfer window and what NYCFC might need to add to avoid down spells like this from recurring. The show then switches into preview mode, with two more NYCFC matches to come this week in what is a jam-packed portion of the pre-FIFA World Cup schedule. Optimism levels vary among our hosts regarding the midweek match against FC Cincinnati in the Bronx and the weekend trip up to Canada to face CF Montréal, but it wouldn't be an episode of the show if it didn't end up with official on-the-record prognostications of how this latest three-match week will play out. After you listen to this episode, read up on all the latest news over at nysoccerjournal.com, and be sure to follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter/X, and Threads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 9m

  6. APR 15

    Tough trip to Vancouver, Talles Magno goes off in the Open Cup, and Malachi Jones returns

    New York City FC picked up a big 5-2 win over Westchester SC in the Round of 32 of the US Open Cup, and this episode kicks off with an instant reaction to that lopsided win over a local lower-league rival. Talles Magno scored a hat trick of goals, and Agustín Ojeda had three goal contributions: Is this simply high-priced talent doing what it should against a USL League One club, or can we read more into the big performances from Talles and Ojeda? The attack clicked in the Open Cup, but no attacking player in New York City colors had a performance to remember in the 2-0 road loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC that preceded the midweek cup contest. Hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan and producer Andrew Leigh lament the costly absence of New York City center-back Thiago Martins, marvel at Matt Freese and his eight saves, and wonder where this loss, coupled with the recent loss to reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF, leaves New York City FC in relation to the elite teams in Major League Soccer. The New York City squad is getting stronger as players return from injury, and that now includes winger Malachi Jones, who completed an inspiring comeback from the severe broken leg he suffered in June 2024. Jones is getting back up to speed, as is midfielder Andrés Perea, who officially is back in full training after the broken leg he suffered last November. We highlight how each player's return to health can help Pascal Jansen put his squad together. Then it's time to preview Charlotte FC coming to visit New York City FC at Citi Field in Queens. Danger man Pep Biel is back healthy and available for Charlotte after missing last year's MLS Cup Playoffs series with NYCFC. Biel, Idan Toklomati, and Wilfried Zaha make for a threatening front line, and we get into what New York City will need to do against them to snap their mini three-match MLS winless streak. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 2m

  7. APR 8

    A disappointing draw before NYCFC face Whitecaps, US Open Cup tests

    New York City FC earned their first "draw that felt like a loss" of the 2026 season, and this episode starts with hosts Mark Radigan and John Baney and producer Andrew Leigh trying to figure out how they didn't collect all three points from their meeting with St. Louis City SC at Citi Field. Our focus is on the missed or wasted New York City chances and the team's inability to get the extra goal needed to see out a win. We second-guess a few of the decisions Pascal Jansen made in the second half and wonder how this attack can get it done when they don't get the required moments of magic from their two most impactful attackers, Nico Fernández Mercau and Maxi Moralez. With the draw in Queens put to bed, we shift to discussing New York City's potential path to US Open Cup glory, beginning with their Round of 32 clash with local USL League One's Westchester SC. Given the Open Cup match comes as part of a three-game week, a week that includes one of the longest away trips possible in MLS, just what kind of NYCFC squad will we see out there on the pitch in Mount Vernon? It only takes five wins to lift the Open Cup, but the club has never had much success with this tournament, and we wonder if this will be the year that finally changes, or if we're once again in for more of the same. Injuries are another big topic on this episode, with our crew discussing the serious knee injury suffered by NYCFC right-back Drew Baiera while he was away on national-team duty with the United States U-19s. With Baiera facing an extended absence and with Mitja Ilenič loaned out for the season, how will New York City cope in games when Tayvon Gray might be unavailable or in need of rest? Then it's on to previewing what will be another major early-season test against an elite MLS opponent, when NYCFC flies thousands of miles to play Vancouver Whitecaps FC on the turf of BC Place. We marvel at some of the weapons accumulated by the Whitecaps, legendary star midfielder Thomas Müller included, and do our best to guess how this East vs. West matchup of strength vs. strength will play out. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 11m

  8. APR 1

    Matt Freese battles for World Cup spot, sketchy NYCFC transfer rumors emerge

    The HRB Podcast powers on and it's an international break-heavy episode this week, with the conversation starting with the United States men's national team and their pair of friendlies against Belgium and Portugal. The ongoing battle at the goalkeeper position for the United States was of particular interest to our New York City FC-centric selves. Against Belgium, Matt Freese didn't start for the first time in 12 matches and the United States conceded five goals, though only one goal could be, possibly, placed at the feet Freese's replacement, Matt Turner of the New England Revolution. Why did USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino drop Freese from his lineup, and what does that move, and Turner's less-than-amazing performance, mean for The Iceman's chances to start in goal at this summer's World Cup? The field of teams in this summer's World Cup just got clearer, and Freese and the United States now know that they'll face Turkiye in their third and final match of Group D play. We go through the full USMNT group schedule and try to game out a path through the group stage and into the knockout rounds, then set some internal HRB Pod expectations for how we think the USMNT should perform while hosting the World Cup. After the international scene is covered in full, the second half of the show is entirely New York City FC-focused. That begins with a rundown of some random and somewhat dubious transfer rumors to emerge around NYCFC in the days immediately before and after the closing of the MLS Primary Transfer Window. First we sketchy cover a rumor that Nico Fernández Mercau is wanted by the two biggest teams in Portugal, then it's over to a thin report linking NYCFC with interest in signing Charlotte FC star Wilfried Zaha, and our brief portion of transfer chatter ends with a head-scratching rumor linking a young central defender with Fluminense in Brazil, 20-year-old João Loiola, with a loan move to come play for NYCFC II in MLS Next Pro. When done weighing the validity, or lack thereof, of the transfer rumor mill's latest offerings, it's time to preview NYCFC's return to MLS play, when they host St. Louis City SC for the first time ever. St. Louis missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, but they're not a familiar opponent for New York City, and they can hurt teams thanks to employing the likes of Marcel Hartel in their attack. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 9m
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4.8
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The Soccer Journal Podcast covers all things soccer in New York, with an emphasis on New York City FC and MLS. We are the flagship podcast of the New York Soccer Journal, and we're here to inform you and to keep it fun.

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