New York City (USA)

New York City FC is a professional football club in the USA who were formed on the 21st May 2013. Major League Soccer (MLS) was expanding its league for the 2015 season and required two extra clubs, but the idea of a second New York MLS club had been discussed back in 2010.

Initially, the league opened up talks with Fred Wilpon, the owner of the New York Mets baseball club, and with owners of the reformed New York Cosmos football club. Wilpon's finances were hit in the Madoff investment scandal, while Cosmos joined the second-tier North American Soccer League in 2013.

MLS commissioner Dan Garber had previously hinted at an existing European club owning an MLS franchise. FC Barcelona was briefly interested in taking the franchise for a Miami-based team, but the bid fell through. In August 2002, Barca’s vice president at the time, Ferran Soriano, became the new CEO of Manchester City. 

Garber got back in contact regarding a New York franchise. Rumours amassed that the new club had been registered before an announcement was made that City would become the twentieth MLS franchise under the ownership of City Football Group and Yankee Global Enterprises, the owners of the New York Yankees baseball club.

The plans for a new stadium in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park had to be abandoned after protests from the nearby Mets, and because it would be on current parkland. Instead, plans were announced to build a stadium in the Bronx close to Yankee Stadium by 2018. In the meantime, the club would play home games at Yankee Stadium.

Former Manchester City and US international player Claudio Reyna was made director of football operations, in charge of recruiting the coaching staff and players for City’s inaugural 2015 season.

Reyna appointed former Real Salt Lake boss Jason Kreis as head coach in 2014 to allow him time to travel to the UK to acclimatise himself with the workings of the owners, Manchester City. Manchester City also bought Melbourne Heart in 2014, the Australian A League club, and changed their name to Melbourne City. 

New York named Spanish superstar David Villa as their first of three designated signings. He was immediately loaned out to the Melbourne club. In July 2014, Frank Lampard’s signature was captured after his contract ran out at Chelsea. In a controversial move, Manchester City took the England international on loan for the English 2014-15 season, meaning a late arrival to the 2015 MLS campaign.

In July 2015, the Italian midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo was signed. The club's first ever-regulated match came against Scottish side St Mirren, with Villa scoring the club's first goal. Large crowds flocked to Yankee Stadium, but the team went eleven games without victory after a promising start. New York Cosmos defeated City on penalties in the US Open Cup.

Patrick Vieira was named as head coach in November 2015. His side reached the Conference semifinals in 2016 and 2017, with Villa continuing to be the star player. Domènec Torrent took over as head coach in July 2018, with the side falling short at the same stage as previously. It was the same conclusion for City in 2019, when Héber top-scored.

The former Celtic boss, Ronny Deila, was appointed as head coach at Yankee Stadium in January 2020. In 2021, the Norwegian leader's side defeated Atlanta United, New York Revolution, and Philadelphia United to reach the MLS Cup final. Portland Timbers were beaten 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a season in which Valentín Castellanos top-scored.

Union exacted revenge in the Conference finals the following season before the appointment of new coach Nick Cushing. By now, the club was well into its plans for a new stadium at Willets Point in Queens after other options had been derailed in one fashion or another.

How the finished Etihad Park is likely to look

The 2024 season saw New York Red Bulls win the derby in the Conference semifinals, after Alonso Martínez scored regularly throughout the campaign. Construction of the new Etihad Park stadium began with a groundbreaking ceremony on December 4, 2024, attended by MLS commissioner Don Garber. Completion was expected in time for the 2027 season.

Pascal Jansen was given the job of head coach in January 2025.

New York City FC will play in the MLS Eastern Conference in the 2026 season.

My visit

New York Yankees 6 Chicago White Sox 1 (Sunday 27th September 2015) MLB American League (att: 38,690)

While visiting New York, it would have seemed silly as a huge sports fan not to take in some action at Yankee Stadium. As New York City didn’t have a home fixture during my time in the city, it was left to my first-ever baseball game to get my fix.

My trip was going brilliantly. Even the cock up with Greyhound buses that meant the abandonment of my day visit to Boston on the Saturday was more than made up for with sightseeing and the match at Fordham Rams.

My Sunday morning was spent getting in some invaluable exercise as well as sightseeing, as I rented a bicycle and went around 11km of Central Park in just over an hour. I felt really good after a shower and a change as I jumped on board the B subway train to Yankee Stadium/161 Street.

Advice from friends had warned me of the expensive concessions inside the stadium. I’d already been bitten in that department at the Red Bull Arena a couple of nights earlier. I found a deli where I purchased a bacon cheeseburger, kettle chips, and water for far less than one beer inside.

I had taken time to have a brief look at Heritage Field, which is where the original Yankee Stadium had stood until 2010. Dubbed ‘The House that Ruth Built’, it now had a few baseball diamonds for community use. Several bars were over the road under the railway bridge, with many souvenir stands. I purchased a Yankees sun hat, joking that the NY stood for North Yorkshire.

My ticket was for the fourth tier of the stadium, but entrance was permitted through all gates, which led to a huge concourse at the rear of the first tier. I couldn’t gain access, but The Great Hall provided patrons with executive facilities behind the home plate area. The seating tiers were continuous up the sides, curving slightly beyond the foul poles. 

The open bleachers area is separated by a huge scoreboard, with a smaller one on either side. Memorial Park stood underneath, where great Yankee players are honoured with the practice bull park areas at either side. It reminded me a lot of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Eventually, I found my seat. I had to break halfway round for the Star Spangled Banner. I couldn’t have entered at a further gate from where I need to be. I was certainly ready for my lunch when I got settled. 

It was a bit disappointing to see such a meagre attendance. There is no way that the official figure was accurate. The stadium has a capacity of 49,642. You can judge from my photos for yourself.

The faint line markings of the City football pitch were still visible from my view. I would have been sitting right above the north goal. Capacity for City games was set at 33,444 for the regular 2015 season. It would have been interesting to see how it worked out.

My friends were correct about the concessions. It was $11 for a pint of beer, and some of the food was top-dollar prices, too. I had made a wise move. The silly thing was that if the beer was cheaper, I’d have indulged; a point I made in an email when Yankees asked for my feedback.

The game itself turned out to be one-sided, not that I was bothered. I loved the game. I’d got a basic grasp of it, while fully appreciating that it must have had many nuances that weren’t immediately obvious. It was a continuous gripe of mine; sports fans who slate other sports without trying to give them a fair chance. 

Baseball was so similar to T20 cricket in my book. My biggest fear was that I’d get totally hooked and get involved with the many statistics, just like my first love.

Like every sport I’ve ever experienced, it was soon apparent that baseball was far better off seen live from the stands. You simply get to see everything. Not just what the TV director wants you to see.

It was rookie pitcher Luis Severino who set up the win for the twenty-seven-time world champions, who still required a couple more victories to seal a wild-card place in the end-of-season play-offs. Severino fired six scoreless innings as the Chicago batters struggled.

The Yankees went 1-0 up in the first, and the score remained the same halfway through the sixth. The lead was extended to 3-0 as Dustin Ackley hit a solo home run and Scott Heathcott ran in from third base.

Severino was rested with Justin Wilson taking his place on the mound. Avisail Garcia got the White Sox back into the game with a home run, but the Yankees did not take long to reassert their authority.

Jacoby Ellsbury fired a run-scoring single and two runs in the eighth on a Greg Bird run-scoring and a Heathcott sacrifice fly. The crowd even got a brief appearance from fan favourite Alex Rodriguez as he batted for Bird in the seventh. Traditional songs were played between innings to keep everyone involved and entertained. 

The playing of YMCA saw the crowd and the groundskeepers dancing along. God Bless America came following the introduction of a World War II veteran. If only we saluted heroes and showed a bit of patriotism in the UK! The staple anthem of Take Me Out to the Ballpark saw fans swaying arm in arm. It was all top stuff. I was sold.

Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York boomed out as the Yankees sealed the win, not needing to bat in the 9th inning. I had loved every minute of it and decided that the Yankees were the team for me.

I took my time getting out and then looking at the tributes to the legendary Yogi Berra, who had passed away a few days earlier, and the information board detailing Babe Ruth’s impact on the club. It was a pretty special history, all right.

Despite the warning of the prices and a bit corny, I headed for Stan’s Bar to try one or three local beers as the quality music blasted out. It really did feel like I was in New York. 

I found a cheap chicken shop, which was better value and quality than anything in London, just around the corner before taking a train home for a siesta to recharge for a few drinks in town on my last night.