Hudson River Blue Podcast (Bleav)

Episode 3 of the Hudson River Blue Podcast arrives during a busy three-match week for New York City FC, so hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan have lots of ground to cover. They start by looking back at another NYCFC lead lost in a road draw with DC United, a decent defensive performance that still wasn't enough to earn a slump-busting win.

John and Mark also discuss the arrival of billionaire Marcelo Claure as part of New York City FC's ownership group before shifting focus to what lies ahead on the field, specifically the two home matches against Eastern Conference rivals Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami CF. 

That includes some discussion of the spectacle that awaits when Lionel Messi steps onto the Yankee Soccer Stadium pitch for the first time, which will cost you a pretty penny to see in person — and which will be a big test for a struggling NYCFC side.

The final portion of Episode 3 features a guest appearance from Hudson River Blue's senior editor, Andrew Leigh, who joins John to provide a post-match reaction to the lopsided 5-1 home loss to Philadelphia Union, which made it eight straight MLS matches without a win for NYCFC. What will that heavy defeat mean for New York City as it heads into the final five matches of the MLS season? 

Listen to Episode 3 for more on that, and find more coverage at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to also follow us on X and Instagram.

The 2025 preseason officially started for New York City FC, with the team jetting off to Santa Barbara, California with a 34-player preseason roster, but a roster that does not include striker Jovan Mijatović.

The 19-year-old is still in Europe and not joining up with his teammates for preseason while rumors swirl about a potential loan transfer from NYCFC to a European club. Hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan have lots of thoughts about the difficult Mijatović situation, wondering why it's gone so poorly for him with New York City while also speculating on how this drama between Jovan and the team will resolve itself.

Not content to only discuss a potential Jovan Mijatović transfer, things then shift to the moves New York City has already made, like re-signing Maxi Moralez, adding a backup goalkeeper, and formalizing Homegrown contracts with two young players. There's also some discussion of a possible Matt Freese transfer since the NYCFC goalkeeper finds himself in the rumor mill, linked with interest from clubs in the Netherlands and Germany.

Episode 21 wraps up with the show's producer Andrew Leigh running through numerous changes to the MLS roster rules the league announced before the start of the 2025 season. No MLS podcast episode is complete without a discussion of new twists on player trading and allocation money, contract buyouts, and oh so much more.

After you’ve listened, make sure you’re following Hudson River Blue on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter (X), and reading all our coverage at HudsonRiverBlue.com.

Matt Freese has been overdue for a call-up to the United States men's national team, but Mauricio Pochettino's first January camp as coach finally sees Freese get a chance with the USMNT.

We have a lot to say about Freese's opportunity and our hopes of seeing someone from the NYCFC roster grow into a regular presence with the USMNT, maybe in time for the 2026 World Cup.

Episode 20 also includes more talk about Pascal Jansen, as we react to his official unveiling as the sixth head coach in New York City FC history. Among other Jansen topics, we discuss his past success at AZ Alkmaar and elsewhere in the Netherlands coaching up promising young players and wonder about his impact on NYCFC's crop of Homegrown and Under-22 signings.

Things wrap up this week on a less-than-cheery note as we discuss Jovan Mijatović crashing his car into a pedestrian while spending his offseason in Belgrade, Serbia. A scary accident that's left us wishing for the best for the pedestrian and hoping that Mijatović can get something good to break his way in the wake of what's been a rocky first year as a NYCFC player.

It's down to the MLS Cup Final and this year it's between LA Galaxy and...the New York Red Bulls. Yes, New York City FC's fiercest rivals are one win away from hoisting their first-ever MLS Cup, and this episode starts with hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan sharing their thoughts on that uncomfortable possibility, while giving some begrudging props to the success of Red Bull's approach to games throughout their underdog run through the MLS Cup Playoffs. How big will the absence of LA Galaxy star Riqui Puig be, and does it all come down to whoever manages to grab that first goal?

Episode 16 then shifts to some New York City FC roster talk, specifically as it pertains to the upcoming MLS Expansion Draft in which San Diego FC has a chance to pick five eligible players from five different MLS teams. Mark has a lot of thoughts on the concept of expansion drafts, mainly that they shouldn't exist, but he and John also get into some of the tough decisions NYCFC faces while making a list of 12 players to protect from possible selection.

Things wrap up with a discussion of Etihad Park, which had its ceremonial groundbreaking and is shovels-in-the-ground as it moves toward opening in 2027. Maybe the positive future soccer stadium vibes will be enough to hold you over during the cold, quiet days of the offseason.

When you're done listening, be sure you follow Hudson River Blue on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter (X), and read all our coverage of NYCFC and beyond at HudsonRiverBlue.com.

There's no easing into a new year, as the first Hudson River Blue Podcast episode of 2025 had a lot of ground to cover.

That happens when news of a new New York City FC coach and James Sands's second departure break on New Year's Eve and Day, respectively.

First, hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan discuss the reported arrival of Pascal Jansen to replace Nick Cushing as NYCFC manager. There's talk of what the Jansen hire means for New York City, the statement of intent made not just in hiring Jansen but in buying him out of his contract with Ferencváros, and what we might expect from his NYCFC based on his previous coaching stints.

After first impressions of the newest coaching arrival, we shift into goodbye mode and react to James Sands's loan move to FC St. Pauli in the German Bundesliga. It's all praise for Sands, who our hosts say earned his move back to Europe, but his exit raises lots of questions about how New York City FC will look in 2025. Is a defensive midfielder now the team's most pressing need during this winter transfer window?

To wrap up Episode 19, we discuss the five players NYCFC recently selected in the MLS SuperDraft, with some unanimous hype around First Round pick Max Murray out of the University of Vermont.

After you’ve listened, make sure you’re following Hudson River Blue on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter (X), and reading all our coverage at HudsonRiverBlue.com.

It's the international break for the MLS Cup Playoffs but there's no international break for the Hudson River Blue Podcast. Episode 13 begins with a survey of the playoff landscape in the Eastern Conference after Round One, namely that the top three seeds, including regular season record-setters Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi, have been knocked out. Can New York City FC suddenly start dreaming of a march towards another MLS Cup appearance?

First things first, and that means a first-ever playoff Hudson River Derby, which will be played at a less-than-full Citi Field. The news that capacity will be capped due to closures of the upper levels of the stadium as it begins its process of offseason winterization spurred lots of spirited discussion between hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan. They share their thoughts on the cap on crowd size and how it's a missed opportunity to draw a big crowd to watch NYCFC play the New York Red Bulls in the rivalry's most important game to date.

Episode 13 wraps up with the beginnings of a preview of that Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Red Bulls, with some key numbers and trends called out from across the history of the rivalry game that are worth noting while anticipation continues to build for the first playoff clash between the teams.

After you've listened to this episode be sure to go read all of our latest coverage at Hudson River Blue.com, and follow us on Bluesky, Threads, or maybe even Twitter (X), if you're still into that.

Episode 18 of the Hudson River Blue Podcast is also the final episode of 2024, so end-of-year reviews are top of mind for hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan.

Before the conversation turns to a review of 2024, there's news to discuss and it's about Leagues Cup. The tournament between MLS and Mexico's Liga MX is changing in 2025 and our episode starts with a discussion of one major change that's been confirmed, namely that Leagues Cup will no longer be played during a month-long break, but will shift to a midweek tournament played while the MLS and Liga MX seasons continue concurrently. 

This being the MLS offseason, we also touch on some juicy transfer news and rumors, like NYCFC selling midfielder Nicolás Acevedo to Bahia, rumored interest from Brazilian clubs in Santiago Rodríguez, and reports of a return to MLS for former NYCFC head coach Ronny Deila, this time with Atlanta United FC.

John and Mark then conclude our final 2024 episode by handing out their final grades to NYCFC's top and bottom performers, and to the team as a whole. How harsh of a curve are we grading on? You'll have to listen to find out.

Once you've listened, make sure you're following Hudson River Blue on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter (X), and reading all our coverage at HudsonRiverBlue.com.

It's Hudson River Derby week so Episode 5 of the Hudson River Blue Podcast takes a long look at New York City FC's trip to Harrison, New Jersey to face the Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena.

Before the rivalry match talk, Hudson River Blue's senior editor Andrew Leigh joins hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan to recap his visit to the team's new Midtown Manhattan space dedicated to showing off the future soccer stadium in Willets Point, Queens (tiny replica included), which also meant a chance to speak with New York City FC CEO Brad Sims about the stadium and recent club developments like the change made to the team's badge.

From there on it's all Red Bulls-NYCFC preview, as John and Mark look first at the big implications this match carries for the MLS Eastern Conference playoff race, and how it finds both teams in poor runs of results and looking for some late-season momentum.

The conversation then shifts to how New York City might line up at Red Bull Arena given the forced absences of Santiago Rodríguez and defender Strahinja Tanasijević, and the injury question marks that remain over Birk Risa.

Episode 5 will get you ready for the 29th installment of the Hudson River Derby, and you can find all our coverage, derby and otherwise, at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to also follow us on X and Instagram.

Listen now and find all our coverage, at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to also follow us on X and Instagram.

Welcome to the first-ever Hudson River Blue Podcast! Join hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan as they talk through New York City FC's tough loss to Columbus Crew, how the officiating did/didn't influence the game, and what losing Matt Freese to injury might mean this late in the season.

Looking ahead, they break down this next run of games as NYCFC have to run the gauntlet in their hunt for a top spot in the Eastern Conference. It means staying ahead of DC United and Philadelphia Union, two dangerous teams that are desperate to make the playoffs — and that are New York City's next two opponents. Finally, they celebrate Alonso Martínez, whose talent for finding the goal is turning him into one of the most effective and ruthless strikers in MLS.

You can read more at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to follow HRB on X and Instagram.

Offseason has fallen across all of Major League Soccer, but this episode begins with a look back at the final match of 2024, the MLS Cup Final that saw LA Galaxy win a sixth Cup by vanquishing the New York Red Bulls.

Hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan discuss what a loss in the league's championship game means for the legacy of the Red Bulls franchise, as well as what it means for the always-entertaining rivalry between Red Bull and New York City FC fans.

With MLS Cup discussion done, talk moves to the offseason, which has started in earnest with signings, trades, and rumors. NYCFC has contributed to the rumor mill already with the trade of goalkeeper Luis Barraza to DC United and the ongoing negotiations over a possible return in 2025 for midfielder Maxi Moralez.

John and Mark also touch on the simmering rumor that former Philadelphia Union coach and longtime NYCFC rival Jim Curtin might be a candidate to replace Nick Cushing. How welcome would Curtin be as New York City FC coach?

Episode 17 concludes with one final bit of early offseason drama: The MLS Expansion Draft, which saw NYCFC lose Brazilian winger Thiago Andrade in a classic MLS transaction, with Thiago drafted by San Diego FC but then immediately traded to Toronto FC.

We once again are left scratching our heads at the absurdity of the Expansion Draft and the MLS roster rules, but that doesn't stop us from breaking down this strange turn of events for a player who had been loaned out by NYCFC during each of the last two seasons.

When you've finished listening, be sure to follow Hudson River Blue on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter (X), and read all our coverage at HudsonRiverBlue.com.

New York City FC did just enough to advance in the MLS Cup Playoffs, beating FC Cincinnati on penalty kicks in the decisive Game 3 to seal a first-ever playoff meeting with the rival New York Red Bulls.

This special installment of the Hudson River Blue Podcast was recorded immediately following the 0-0 draw turned NYCFC shootout win at TQL Stadium to close out the best-of-three Round One playoff series, so get ready to excitedly re-live the 18-kick penalty shootout in all its messy glory.

Hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan discuss the bend-but-not-break performance from NYCFC in the 90 minutes of regulation time that came before the penalty shootout. There weren't many attacking chances created by New York City, but was it always in the game plan to force this thing to penalty kicks?

While the clinching win over Cincinnati is the main focus of this episode, we also look ahead to what will be the most important rivalry game to date between NYCFC and the Red Bulls. Given the anticipation around this first-ever playoff Hudson River Derby, it's never too early to start with the previews, even if the game won't take place for another two weeks. Who has the edge, and which team does this game mean more to?

Listen to Episode 12 as you ride the high of a playoff series win, and be sure to read all of our coverage at Hudson River Blue.com, and follow us on Bluesky, Threads, or maybe even Twitter (X), if you're still into that.

The vibes on the Hudson River Blue Podcast are good as New York City FC has logged three straight wins with only Decision Day now between them and the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Episode 7 begins with a discussion of the workmanlike 3-1 win over Nashville SC, which featured a star turn from Santiago Rodríguez. Santi's two goals have us wondering: If there was an alternate MLS without Lionel Messi or Cucho Hernández, would the NYCFC attacker be in the MVP conversation?

The scenarios at play on the final day of the MLS regular season for NYCFC get broken down, as do the potential playoff match-ups that could await once the playoffs begin. Episode 7 wraps up with some discussion of 17-year-old NYCFC defender Christian McFarlane earning a spot on the MLS 22 Under 22 list and just how good the team has been at finding and developing talent at the fullback position, plus a rundown of all the international call-ups that arrived for NYCFC players this October.

Listen to Episode 7 and then go check out all our other coverage at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to also follow us on Twitter (X) and Instagram.

The transfer market is hot elsewhere in Major League Soccer, but there's not a lot of exciting transfer movement going on around New York City FC.

This episode starts with an attempt to get to the bottom of why we've seen so little transfer activity from NYCFC during this offseason, an offseason that has seen lots of big-name talents – like Wilfried Zaha and possibly Miguel Almirón, to name two – make the move to the MLS Eastern Conference.

We cover NYCFC's tendency under Sporting Director David Lee to make their winter signings closer to or after the start of the MLS regular season, but also wonder if this quiet winter is a side effect of the team's heightened transfer activity during the winter of 2024 and summer of 2023.

There's also the Pascal Jansen factor, as in: Could NYCFC be holding off on making more roster changes until the new coach has joined up with the team for preseason and has had a chance to get a better feel for his new squad?

After our big transfer window chat, we wrap this episode up with a discussion of the United States men's national team, specifically how little we saw of NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese during this January USMNT camp. Freese didn't play a single minute in either of the team's two friendlies and was the only previously uncapped player in January camp to not make his senior national team debut. Mauricio Pochettino, that is no way to treat the 2024 MVP of New York City FC!

After you’ve listened, make sure you’re following Hudson River Blue on Bluesky, Instagram, and Threads, and reading all our coverage at HudsonRiverBlue.com.

A packed episode in which we discuss the two huge developments in New York City FC-land: The team's elimination from the MLS Cup Playoffs at the hands of the rival Red Bulls, and the subsequent decision to fire head coach Nick Cushing.

Episode 15 begins with a gut reaction to the news that Cushing is out after 107 games in charge of NYCFC, relieved of his duties by the team. Hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan discuss just how surprising or unsurprising this decision was, and wonder what main factors might have contributed to the decision to cut ties with Cushing.

Then we shift into postmortem mode and reflect on the season-ending 2-0 loss NYCFC suffered at the hands of the New York Red Bulls in the first-ever Hudson River Derby staged in the MLS Cup Playoffs. That includes a discussion of what went wrong in that game at Citi Field, but also what NYCFC and the now-departed Cushing could have done differently to prevent this unfortunate ending to the season.

With the derby disappointment dissected, the conversation shifts to the long offseason ahead, with a first discussion of some of the big decisions NYCFC will face before they kick off the 2025 MLS season. That includes deciding on the future of club legend Maxi Moralez, with varied opinions on whether or not he should return to the team for another season.

There is a lot going on with NYCFC as the 2024 season draws to an end and we tried to break down as much of it as possible in this episode. Listen, visit HudsonRiverBlue.com to read more of our coverage, and follow us on social media over on Bluesky, Twitter (X), Instagram, and Threads.

It's days before MLS Decision Day so Episode 8 of the Hudson River Blue Podcast has lots to say about the potential playoff scenarios that await New York City FC.

That includes the uncertainty that surrounds where NYCFC might play the home match(es) in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs, thanks to the looming potential for a meeting between the New York Yankees and New York Mets in the World Series. What would it mean to the team and its fans to have to host a potential playoff game at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey?

Hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan also discuss the debut of Mauricio Pochettino as head coach of the United States men's national team and tell you exactly how much stock you should be put into Pochettino's first-ever loss as coach, suffered away to arch-rivals Mexico by that too-familiar 2-0 scoreline.

Episode 8 wraps up with our hosts wondering: Who really deserves to win the MLS MVP award this year? Lionel Messi has piled up the goals and assists when healthy, but he also missed dozens of Inter Miami CF matches while injured. We break down who might be MLS MVP from a group that, in addition to Messi, also includes Columbus Crew striker Cucho Hernández, DC United striker Christian Benteke, and Portland Timbers midfielder Evander, among a few others.

Listen to Episode 8 and then go read all our other coverage at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to follow us on Twitter (X) and Instagram.

The first-ever MLS Cup Playoffs edition of the Hudson River Derby is almost here, so this episode of the Hudson River Blue Podcast is all about previewing the gigantic Eastern Conference Semifinal at Citi Field.

To prepare for the big playoff clash between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls, hosts John Baney and Andrew Leigh had to turn to an expert of New York soccer and of MLS Cup Playoffs soccer.

Enter Gio Savarese, a studio analyst for MLS Season Pass on AppleTV who you also know for his tenures as head coach of the Portland Timbers and New York Cosmos, and for a playing career that included prolific seasons scoring goals for the NY/NJ MetroStars in MLS.

Savarese discusses the significance of the first postseason meeting between NYCFC and the Red Bulls, what each team's head coach will need to do to get their team ready for the unique realities of a playoff derby game, and the huge importance of managing emotions in this kind of high-stakes match against a major rival.

We then have a pod installment of Oppo Research, with Matthew Mangam chatting with Red Bull writer Michael Battista about some of the keys to a potential road victory in Queens.

New York City FC is riding the high of a late-season unbeaten streak, and Episode 6 of the Hudson River Blue Podcast looks back fondly at the team's two recent victories over the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati.

There's time spent savoring that 5-1 exclamation point of a win in the Hudson River Derby, with lots of talk about the local New York City products, Tayvon Gray and Justin Haak, who played key roles in the emphatic win over NYCFC's biggest rival.

Episode 6 also gets into the momentum that's building with NYCFC's second straight win, the 3-2 triumph over FC Cincinnati, and wonders if the team is hitting its stride just as the MLS regular season draws to a conclusion. Things wrap up this week with a look ahead to the weekend meeting with Nashville SC, a match that will have major ramifications for the race for home-field advantage in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Listen and then go check out all our other coverage at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to also follow us on X and Instagram.

In a very special Episode 4 of the Hudson River Blue Podcast recorded live from the press box at Yankee Stadium, hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan are joined by Hudson River Blue senior writer Matthew Mangam to provide a post-match breakdown of New York City FC's 1-1 draw with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

The conversation begins with reactions to the result and what the last-gasp James Sands equalizer could mean for this year's NYCFC squad — could this end up being their version of a season-changing goal? John, Mark, and Matthew also get into Lionel Messi's individual performance, with the Argentine legend kept quiet in front of many people at the game solely to see him play. 

Talk then shifts to the surreal experience of watching Messi and Co. play in the Bronx in front of a crowd of 44,738, including discussion about the in-game atmosphere, that Barbie-themed tifo unveiled in the NYCFC supporters' section before kickoff, and the great performance of the NYCFC fans throughout the stadium and even outside the stadium pregame.

Things wrap up with a look ahead to next weekend's Hudson River Derby, which is always big but feels even bigger this time given the closeness of the two rivals in the Eastern Conference table as the MLS Cup Playoffs draw near.

Enjoy this Messi-centric Episode 4 and find more of our coverage at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to also follow us on X and Instagram.

After New York City FC dropped a refreshed badge somewhat out of nowhere to mixed reviews, Hudson River Blue Podcast hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan share their thoughts on the new look. Maybe introducing the crest when the team have just one win in their last 11 games played wasn't the best timing.

Episode 2 also has us again wondering what life might be like with Luis Barraza – he of the less-than-stellar recent performances in Leagues Cup and in MLS NEXT Pro – as the NYCFC starting goalkeeper, pending the health status of Matt Freese after his injury suffered against Columbus Crew.

The episode wraps up with a preview of DC United preview, and the dangers posed by New York City's Eastern Conference rival and their MLS Golden Boot contender, striker Christian Benteke. We close out with a discussion of Mauricio Pochettino's hire as the next head coach of the United States men's national team, with Mark sharing a Spurs-fan perspective on the new USMNT leader.

You can read more at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to follow us on X and Instagram.

A big win at Citi Field in Game 2 means that New York City FC will play a decisive Game 3 to decide their MLS Cup Playoff series with FC Cincinnati. This episode of the Hudson River Blue Podcast takes a look back at NYCFC's first playoff win of 2024 while preparing for what comes next in yet another do-or-die postseason game, this one on the road.

Hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan highlight what went well during NYCFC's 3-1 win to even their best-of-three series, with a lot of discussion about the club's standouts in defense, namely Mitja Ilenič and Justin Haak, along with some talk of the role Citi Field played in providing a home-field advantage.

Episode 11 then shifts focus to the upcoming massive Game 3 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, a place where NYCFC have lost five straight matches, but will need to win to extend their season. Our hosts think all the pressure is on the home team heading into Game 3, while they also acknowledge that NYCFC has, historically, thrived when cast in the underdog role during the MLS Cup Playoffs. The records and recent history make New York City underdogs but that might be exactly where the team wants to be.

This episode wraps up with an eye on what might be next if NYCFC can pull out a win and advance: A first-ever playoff meeting with the rival New York Red Bulls. How much of an extra motivator will it be for NYCFC to know that a win books them a home game against the Red Bulls for a spot in the MLS Eastern Conference Final?

Let Episode 11 be part of your pre-Game 3 preparations, and then please go read all our other coverage at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to also follow us on Twitter (X) and Instagram.

Attention turns to FC Cincinnati and the MLS Cup Playoffs on this episode of the Hudson River Blue Podcast.

Decision Day didn't go New York City FC's way, so Episode 9 begins with a little talk of what went wrong in Montréal in the MLS regular season's final match before hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan shift their attention to Round One of the playoffs.

The good news: NYCFC's one home game in Round One will be played at Citi Field, an actual home-field advantage that could help the team's chances of advancing, according to our hosts. The bad news: The loss to Montréal halted some of the team's momentum and set up this meeting with the Eastern Conference's Third Place team, FC Cincinnati.

That match-up with FC Cincinnati then gets a very special segment dedicated to it, as HRB writer Matthew Mangam brings in guest Laurel Pfahler of Queen City Press to discuss the Cincinnati team she covers. Matthew and Laurel bring you up to speed on what's been going on with Cincinnati, a team that slumped late in the MLS season but one that might be getting its defense in order just in time for the playoffs to begin.

Episode 9 concludes with hosts John and Mark reacting to a surprise twist of a news item: Nick Cushing's potential, rumored departure from NYCFC to become head coach of Arsenal Women. Not exactly ideal timing for a coaching change rumor to break on the eve of the playoffs, is it?

New York City FC finds its 2024 season on the brink, so this episode of the Hudson River Blue Podcast is focused on how they got here and how they might still be able to turn things around.

Hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan spend much of this episode dissecting NYCFC's 1-0 loss away to FC Cincinnati to open the best-of-three Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs, a match that packed a lot of intrigue into 90 minutes.

Episode 10 explores what went so wrong with New York City FC's attack in that loss in Cincinnati, with the team putting up one of its worst showings of the season at the exact worst time. There's also some good discussion around key moments in this match. Those included a non-call for a foul on Santiago Rodríguez leading up to Cincinnati's one goal, a denied penalty claim for a foul on Alonso Martínez, and a late red card shown to Tayvon Gray that will keep him out of Game 2 at Citi Field.

Things wrap up this week by previewing NYCFC's home leg of this series, what's now a must-win if the season is to be extended to a decisive Game 3 back in Cincinnati. What changes should Nick Cushing make to his lineup to make sure his team's season continues?

Check out Episode 10 and then please go read all our other coverage at Hudson River Blue. Be sure to follow us on Twitter (X) and Instagram.