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Call it a New York Cosmos Comeback

BQE Admin on January 21, 2026

Local roots forge path for historic club’s rebirth

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The New York Cosmos remain one of the most historic clubs in American soccer history. Founded in 1970, the club has been graced by some of the world’s greatest players, bringing Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Raúl, Carlos Mendez, and many other icons to the Metro area.

While it hasn’t all been good, the Cosmos have enjoyed many memorable moments throughout their history in New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey. Now they’ll once again look to establish themselves as a premier spot for high level soccer in the Northeast, hoping to regrow the local roots that made them so popular in the past.

The Cosmos began play in the NASL, winning five titles before the league began to falter and eventually fold. The club attempted a revival with hopes to secure a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in the 2010s. 

From 2013 to 2016 the Cosmos claimed three championships, the only team to win multiple league titles. They also claimed US Open Cup victories against MLS clubs like New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls.

Unfortunately the NASL lost Division II status in 2018 and significant financial issues pushed the club to fold in the years after. The Cosmos took a hiatus during the COVID pandemic, one that became permanent.

Now under former COO Erik Stover, the club is preparing to take the pitch once again. They’ve secured a home stadium at Hinchcliffe Stadium in Patterson, NJ, and are hoping to use that as a backbone for the club’s third iteration.

“The Cosmos are American soccer, good and bad. There’s been a lot of ups and downs,” said Stover, who is now serving as the club’s CEO. “A lot of soccer in the United States hasn’t been done properly and we want to be a part of changing that.”

To not only change the club’s culture but lead others in growth requires a major focus on building local communities, and that’s a central piece of the Cosmos’ plan. They’ve already partnered with roughly 20 teams, academies, and organizations to build stronger networks and pathways to competitive play.

“The whole idea is to be as inclusive as possible to work together in a way that’s cooperative and supportive,” said Stover. “Our plan is for that network to give people opportunities that they wouldn’t have otherwise and we’re off to a good start so far.”

Among these partnerships are youth academy affiliations with clubs like New Jersey’s Morris Elite SC. Other partners are scattered around the five boroughs and Long Island, building a map for the future of the Cosmos and their network.

The club is also turning to former stars and top-level soccer minds to jumpstart the club ahead of their 2026 season. Giuseppe Rossi has joined as a Vice Chairman and head of soccer, bringing him back to Northern New Jersey where he was born and raised. The Cosmos also named Italian coach Davide Corti as the club’s 9th manager and first in the USL era.

On the field, the Cosmos are also looking to recapture previous success. Their first signing was Sebastián Guenzatti, who was with the club during their run of championships in the 2010’s.

Growing up in College Point, Queens, Guenzatti started for four years for the soccer team at Francis Lewis HS before moving to his native Uruguay to join Peñarol’s academy. He signed his first pro deal with Huracán, but soon moved back to the US where he joined the Cosmos.

Guenzatti won two championships on the field and watched teammates seal a third in 2016 as he was injured for the final matches. He was also with the club for their historic triumph over NYC in the Open Cup.

“That first title when we first got together, we only had six months together as a team and it was a big shock for the league,” recalled Guenzatti about his first year back in NY. “We had a lot of hardworking young kids with a lot of talent and bright futures.”

“Seba and the crew did great things for us around 2013. We won some championships and brought soccer back in a different way to a lot of folks in the area,” added Stover.

In essence, that’s what the Cosmos aim to do in 2026 and beyond. Soccer in the US is at its best when local teams have passionate followings and that happens when teams make a point of partnering with the local community and making them a part of the club.

Guenzatti also looked back to his days growing up in Queens and his path to competitive soccer.

“My biggest memories are playing pickup. Right in front of my house there was an abandoned hockey rink so we used to get in there and play all day and all night. My dad would come bring us water,” he said. “Now they turned it into a public soccer field in Queens, right in College Point where I had a lot of memories.”

In their new form, the Cosmos know there is plenty to achieve and strive for in the future. 

“A question we got a lot on Long Island was ‘yeah you won the league, but what’s next?’ and we didn’t really have an answer,” Stover said.

With USL on track to implement promotion and relegation in the near future, the Cosmos hope to make a push for their top division. Perhaps if the USL can get the Division 1 classification it’s been seeking, the Cosmos can finally return to top division play as they once were.

Until then, the focus remains on developing a competitive team and building a new Cosmos culture from the ground up.

“Building a culture that resonates in the community and gives long lasting opportunities to people is extremely important,” stated Stover about his first season goals. “Bringing in players who understand who we are like Seba, bringing in coaches like Davide Corti and directors like Giuseppe Rossi to build a foundation is the most important to me.”

“I’ve seen a lot of people fall through the cracks,” Guenzatti said about his experience growing up with the beautiful game. “I was lucky enough to end up on a team with unbelievable people to help me along the way and not everybody gets that chance. We should give everyone a fair chance to follow their dreams, whether that’s soccer or other things.”

Perea Re-Signs, but Haak Deal Looms Large for NYC

BQE Admin on December 25, 2025

Boys in Blue add new homegrown players, draft selections, and academy director

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

New York City FC midfielder Andres Perea is returning to the club on a three-season deal running though the transitional 2027 season and until the end of the 2027-28 campaign. There is a club option to retain Perea for the 2028-29 season. 

After joining the team on loan from the Philadelphia Union in 2023 and later re-signing in NYC, the American-born Colombian had a breakout season in 2025, providing an immense defensive presence in the middle of the park and contributing on the offensive end a number of times. That season was cut short in the playoffs when Perea fell after an aerial challenge, breaking his leg in Game 3 of the opening round. 

After receiving surgery, the club made sure to take care of their midfield man. Although they declined Perea’s club option for 2026, NYC remained in negotiations with him to ink a longer term deal.

“I’m really excited to sign a new contract with New York City and continue this journey with Los Celestes,” said Perea after penning his new deal. “I’ve felt so much love from the City, my teammates, the entire staff, and the fans, making me truly happy here.”

Perea wasn’t the only player up for a new contract this offseason, nor the only defensive player to break out this season. Homegrown center back Justin Haak may have seen his final minutes of MLS action against Miami in the Eastern Conference Final, and he’ll be an extremely difficult piece to replace.

Haak was the third homegrown player to join the senior team as an academy graduate and first to sign from the 5 boroughs, playing on the club’s first ever U-14 academy team back in 2015. He made his senior debut in 2019 after inking his first professional contract.

After a few shaky seasons and a pair of loan spells with USL side Hartford Athletic, Haak began to settle in with the club before stepping into a vital role this past year. Paired at CB with Thiago Martins and backed by Goalkeeper of the Year nominee Matt Freese, Haak was central in the team’s terrific defensive record, tied for the 6th least goals conceded in the league.

Unfortunately it appears that contract talks have broken down, making a reunion unlikely. Haak has attracted decent interest from Europe, as well as other MLS clubs. It would be disappointing for NYC to lose out on Haak to another club in the league, but it appears their valuation of the Brooklyn native isn’t in line with him or his potential suitors.

Regardless of Haak’s future with the club, NYC has other homegrown talents waiting in the ranks. This past week they announced the signing of Duke defender Kamran Acito and Wake Forest midfielder Cooper Flax, both on multi-year deals.

The club also made four MLS Superdraft selections in midfielders Ransford Gyan (pick #27, Clemson), Kevin Pierre (#57, Georgia Southern), and Joey Mueller (#71, UCF), as well as defender Luca Nikolai (#87, UNC). 2025 draftees Nico Cavallo and Max Murray, both defenders, are also likely to feature in the near future, progressing well in their first year with NYC.

To help oversee the club’s academy and youth structure, NYC also announced the appointment of Robin Nicholls as Academy Director. Nicholls spent a few years with English club Sunderland AFC, some formative years for the club as they mounted a return to the Premier League after a troublesome 8-season absence.

“New York itself is not only a fantastic city, but the background of the people who live there, the different socioeconomic backgrounds, means the potential for talent is exceptional, one of the best and most diverse talent pools in the world, in my opinion,” said Nicholls about his new home. “I wanted to tap into that and really help develop that level of talent to hopefully go on and play at the highest level one day. The Club is headed in the right direction, and with the opening of Etihad Park, it’s an exciting time to be a part of.”

New York City FC Defeated in Eastern Conference Finals

BQE Admin on December 4, 2025

Miami and Vancouver seek 1st MLS title

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

A wild playoff run for the Boys in Blue came to a screeching halt in Southern Florida over the weekend, conceding five times in a defeat to Inter Miami CF. After allowing just a single goal in their first four matches of the postseason, New York City FC were unable to contain a star-studded Floridian side who punched a ticket to their first ever MLS Cup Final.

After being involved in all 12 of Miami’s playoff goals this postseason, Lionel Messi only contributed to one of their five strikes in the Conference Final. Instead the match was settled by a hat trick from Argentinian youngster Tadeo Allende, with fantastic play by soccer legends Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

It was a frustrating opening half for the New Yorkers, who were met with physicality and antics as Miami tried to unsettle the visitors. It seemed to work out, as quick breaks downfield resulted in a pair of early goals. The first came from Allende, who was able to beat a lackluster challenge by NYC newcomer Raul Gustavo before thundering the ball past Matt Freese on the near post.

After some words and shoves were exchanged by Messi and New York midfielder Maxi Moralez, Miami quickly struck a second time, again through Allende who found a pocket of space for a header in the 6-yard box. 

Just like that, Miami had scored more in 22 minutes than NYC had given up in their previous four postseason games combined. An already daunting task was made even more impossible.

Homegrown talent Justin Haak was able to claw back a goal for NYC before the first half expired, thumping home a header of his own. With a glimmer of hope, NYC stayed in the match, down 2-1 at halftime.

There were a few golden opportunities to equalize, but just as they did in a few tough defeats this season, New York were unable to convert in key moments. The first came just minutes into the second half, as a giveaway by goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo gave Moralez a chance at the top of the box. Instead of attempting a shot, the midfielder laid off a lackluster pass, and the chance quickly faded.

Novo made up for his mistake in the 67th minute, as another perfect opportunity fell for NYC’s Julian Fernandez inside the box. Fernandez curled a shot towards the far corner, but Novo was able to get his hand to it for a fantastic save. Almost immediately after, Miami broke downfield for their third goal, this time scored by Mateo Silvetti.

With the game already escaping NYC’s grasp, the dagger came in the 83rd minute as Jordi Alba set up the 4th Miami strike with a backheel assist on a counterattack. Six minutes later, Allende finished off his hat trick and Miami coasted to their first Conference Title.

“When I walked in back in January to start this project, one of the things we mentioned was that we had to do better than the previous season. From an objective standpoint, that’s what we did, but to finish the season like this tells us we have a few more lessons to learn,” commented Head Coach Pascal Jansen after the defeat. “With the players that we have, even though we were missing three key players, we shouldn’t be as naive as we showed tonight. It is time to rest now, and our full focus is on next season because we have to do better again.”

Miami will host the MLS Cup Final on Saturday, December 6 at 2:30pm. They will take on  the Vancouver Whitecaps, who defeated debutants San Diego in the Western Conference Final, 3-1.

 

NYC Names Todd Dunivant as Next Sporting Director

Following their exit from the playoffs, New York City FC made a few announcements, including the appointment of new Sporting Director, Todd Dunivant. One of the most decorated players in MLS history, Dunivant won 5 MLS Cup titles, 2 Supporters Shields, and a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, playing over 300 matches in his 13-year career.

Dunivant joins from USL club Sacramento Republic FC, where he served as the General Manager and most recently club President.

“The club’s strong foundation is something we will build upon from day one, and I’m eager to join the incredible players, coaches, and staff that already exist at New York City FC,” said Dunivant in his introductory press conference. “The future has never been brighter for the club and MLS, and I look forward to accomplishing big things together in 2026 and beyond.”

Remembering Paul Kontonis, a Youth Soccer Pioneer

BQE Admin on December 4, 2025

Paul Kontonis was a leader in Queens soccer, coaching and directing at Eleftheria Pancyprian Soccer Club and serving as President of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League. (Photos from @nypancyprianssoccerclub on Instagram)

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The Queens soccer community fell into a period of mourning last week following the sudden passing of Paul Kontonis, a Director and coach with Eleftheria Pancyprian Soccer Club and the President of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL). He was 54 years old.

Paul’s infectious positivity and love of the game was felt across nearly every soccer field in Queens and beyond, as he made endless strides to make the world’s game accessible to thousands in the world’s borough.

Paul understood the importance of joy and personal growth through sport, as well as the determination and heart required to lift trophies at different levels. Under his watch, the NY Pancyprian Freedoms added milestones to their club’s history with Cosmopolitan Soccer League (CSL) and American Premier Soccer League (APSL) titles, Eastern New York State Soccer Association (ENYSSA) state cups, and even the USASA National Amateur Cup in 2024.

Paul was no stranger to winning a cup!

“[Paul] was unwavering in giving his time, energy, and care to the club and deeply committed to the growth of our players and the strength of our programs,” the NY Pancyprian Freedoms said in a somber statement. “Paul was known for his incredible dedication, passion for the game, and his ability to connect with everyone he met. Most importantly he did it all with a smile on his face. The soccer community has lost a true ambassador for the game, and an amazing friend, mentor, father, and colleague.”

As Director of Club Development, Paul also spent years forming connections from New York Soccer to the biggest leagues in Europe. With trips to visit historic Spanish clubs like Real Madrid, Eleftheria Pancyprian players got to train on the same grass graced by the sport’s top talents.

His first taste of coaching came with Blau-Weiss Gottschee, one of the most prestigious soccer academies in the city. Paul helped kids as young as 5 years old channel their early love of the game, helping mold their discipline and skills.

“Watching those kids grow into soccer players has been incredible. I am still in touch with many of the players,” Paul once said about his time with the BW Gottschee academy. It’s a testament not only to the lasting connections built by Paul, but how much he genuinely cared about the progression and growth of the players he took under his wing.

“Paul believed in what we were building together,” the CJSL stated. “He championed the growth of our league, supported the development of our players, and worked tirelessly to elevate our standards. His impact—both on and off the field—was meaningful, lasting, and will continue to be felt throughout our community.”

Paul with young members of Eleftheria Pancyprians SC

“Both the APSL and CSL worked with Paul on a regular basis, both in his capacity as a member of the NY Pancyprian Freedoms coaching staff and as president of the CJSL. Paul was generous with his time and worked tirelessly for the benefit of his players and the soccer community,” added Bill Marth, a board member for both local soccer leagues.

On top of his dedication to the product on the pitch, Paul was also an ambassador for local broadcasting and media, helping grow grassroots organizations like Game In Frame. As a media and marketing professional himself, Paul understood the importance of growing media outlets to strengthen local soccer teams, players, and the community.

“I met Paul in the early formative years of Game in Frame, and without hesitation he took me under his wing,” shared Josh Pratt, the founder and CEO of Game in Frame. “He generously shared the wisdom he’d built through his successful career as a media and marketing leader, along with his deep knowledge of the NY soccer landscape. Alongside being a visionary, Paul was a loyal and kind friend. I lost count of the times when he stuck his neck out for Game in Frame or for me personally, opening doors when we were still unproven.”

That was the essence of who Paul was; someone who always helped find opportunities for those who worked hard to better their craft so they could enjoy the benefits of their growth down the line. As he said, “when you train hard, you can have so much more joy in your soccer.”

The NY Pancyprians celebrated their 2024-25 APSL Metropolitan Division title earlier this year. Paul is seen second from the right.

Memorial visitation will be held at Frederick Funeral Home in Flushing, Queens on Thursday, December 4 from 6 to 9pm and Friday, December 5 from 10am to 1pm. Donations to the Kontonis family can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-kontonis-family-in-honor-of-paul.

Gotham FC Wins 2nd NWSL Title in 3 Years

BQE Admin on November 26, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

Confetti flew in Manhattan on Monday to celebrate another NWSL title for Gotham FC. The Bats won their second women’s soccer title in three years, emerging as a dark horse from the 8th and final seed in the playoffs to beat the top-seeded Kansas City Current, 4th seeded Orlando Pride, and ultimately the 2nd seeded Washington Spirit.

From June 13 until October 5, Gotham were only defeated once across all competitions. The run of 9 wins and 6 draws saw them rise up into postseason contention while also helping them qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals in May of 2026. With the amount of talent on the roster, it was shocking to see Gotham finish so low in the standings. Still, when it came to the postseason they looked more than up to the task.

Leading the line all year for Gotham was Esther González, a veteran Spanish striker. González scored 13 goals in the NWSL campaign, adding another pair in Champions Cup action. USWNT star Rose Lavelle scored 6 in the regular season, but her biggest of the season came in the Cup final against Washington. After a series of stepovers by Brazilian international Bruninha, Lavelle unleashed a first-time strike from the top of the box.

The ball curled past Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and into the left hand corner of the net, with the Gotham players swarming to embrace the potential game-winning goalscorer. Gotham were able to see out the final 10 minutes of regulation, as well as 7 minutes of added time before the final whistle blew to crown them champions.

With multiple members of the USWNT on the Gotham roster, USA legend Megan Rapinoe was seen celebrating on the pitch with her former teammates. Gotham has five members of their roster called up for the USA’s upcoming friendly matches against Italy. Joining Lavelle are defenders Lilly Reale and Emily Sonnett and midfielders Jaelin Howell and Jaedyn Shaw.

Additionally, four other Gotham players will be joining their national teams for upcoming matches. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger will suit up for Germany as they take on Esther González and her Spanish national team. Bruninha and Gabi Portilho will both head to Europe with the Brazilian national team for a pair of friendly matches against Norway and Portugal.

NYC Upset the Union, Head to Miami for Conference Finals

BQE Admin on November 26, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

In stunning fashion, New York City FC upset the top-seeded Philadelphia Union on the road, punching a ticket to Miami for the Eastern Conference Finals. Even without star striker Alonso Martinez, who suffered a knee injury while on international duty, and midfielder Andres Perea, injured in the Round 1 finale against Charlotte, New York were again able to find the net through a moment of brilliance.

It was NYC club legend Maxi Moralez who scored the lone goal in the match, getting on the end of a gorgeous through ball from Nico Fernandez after a great inside cut by Agustin Ojeda. The 38-year-old Argentine midfielder tucked the ball past Philly goalkeeper Andre Blake just ahead of the half-hour mark, sending the sizable contingent of traveling NYC fans into a frenzy.

For the last hour of the match, the City defense rose once more to the challenge. Despite the Union’s persistent attack, only 5 of their 18 shots were put on target. The centerback pairing of Justin Haak and Thiago Martins was nearly impenetrable, with Raul Gustavo and Tayvon Gray equally impressive on either side of them.

Standing tall between the posts and playing hero multiple times was Matt Freese. The Pennsylvania native made his Major League Soccer debut for the Union back in 2019, and in 2021 manned Philadelphia’s goal against New York City as the Boys in Blue won 2-1 en route to their first MLS Cup title.

In his first postseason appearance against his former club, Freese put on a remarkable display. “Matty Ice” saved all 5 Union shots on goal, including an otherworldly stop at the near post against Francis Westfield in the 74th minute and a long-distance strike from Milan Iloski in 2nd half stoppage time.

NYC had only a few looks at Philly’s goal after Moralez opened the scoring, the most notable being a bold attempt by Nico Fernandez from midfield. Nico spotted Blake off his line before attempting to curl the ball past him from inside his own half, forcing the Jamaican international to sprint back and just barely clear the ball off the goal line. Blake instantly grabbed at his hamstring, and after a few minutes he was forced into a substitution.

The Union subbed on top prospect Cavan Sullivan with 10 minutes remaining in regulation, but the youngster was just barely unable to set up Bruno Damiani, whose shot was blocked at the top of the box. NYC were able to see out the final minutes, and again the stadium fell silent aside from the travelling fans as the full time whistle blew.

The win marks New York’s third trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, having visited the Union both in 2021 and 2022. Now New York will head down to Florida for their third matchup with Inter Miami CF this year. It will be the second postseason contest between the two clubs, with NYC winning 3-0 in 2022. This will be the first time they face Lionel Messi in the playoffs, with the all-time great winning the league’s Golden Boot and contributing to all four goals in their Eastern Conference Semifinal win over Cincinnati.

Kickoff from Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale will be on Saturday, November 29, at 6pm. The winner will advance to the 2025 MLS Cup Final against newcomers San Diego FC or the Vancouver Whitecaps, slated for December 6 at 2:30pm.

Soccer Schedule Shift Coming to MLS in 2027

BQE Admin on November 20, 2025

Major League Soccer will join other top leagues playing from Summer to Spring

Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

Last Thursday, Major League Soccer’s Board of Governors voted to align the season schedule with that of most top professional leagues worldwide. In 2027, following an abbreviated transition season, MLS will hold matches between late Summer and Spring, with a sizable winter break.

“The calendar shift is one of the most important decisions in our history,” claimed Don Garber, the Commissioner of Major League Soccer. “Aligning our schedule with the world’s top leagues will strengthen our clubs’ global competitiveness, create better opportunities in the transfer market, and ensure our Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take center stage without interruption. It marks the start of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America.”

The move was expected after two years of deliberation, and it’s not one that had unanimous support by teams and fans. Even with the winter break there are concerns regarding harsh weather in cold markets and the loss of some summer matchdays. There’s also the possibility that MLS finds it more difficult to compete with other major sports leagues for attention, both domestically and abroad.

Still, this is a move that primes the league for a new era of continued growth. By lining up with other leagues, MLS can take full advantage of player purchases and sales in the Summer transfer window. It also lets the league avoid conflicts with mid-Summer tournaments like the Gold Cup, though the schedule shift won’t come in time for the 2026 World Cup hosted in the US, Mexico, and Canada.

Between February and May of 2027 the league will hold a shortened 14-game season with playoffs and a MLS Cup Final. Then in mid-July the league will kick off its first season with the new format, playing until the Winter break in mid-December. Matches will resume in early February of 2028, with the regular season terminating in April and the 2027-28 playoffs in May.

What’s the benefit to the league?

First and foremost, Major League Soccer will see a drastic change in their ability to maximise both the summer and winter transfer windows. In most seasons MLS clubs have faced difficulty not only signing top talent but integrating them into their lineups. Additionally, it’s often been difficult for clubs to sell their promising young talents to bigger clubs without derailing their season. 

With the summer transfer window (usually running from June/July until early September) directly in the middle of the MLS season, it’s difficult for new signings to find their feet and mesh with their new clubs.

Now new Summer signings can participate in preseason training and Winter signees won’t need to wait months for matches to begin after leaving their clubs in the middle of an active season.

Playing from the Summer through the Spring is not out of the question and it’s something done by plenty of local soccer leagues. In the New York Metro area the American Premier Soccer League (APSL) and Cosmopolitan Soccer League (CSL) have both played along similar schedules for years, with a Fall season running from September to December and the Spring season taking place between March and June.

Despite the frigid winters, play is still possible with only a handful of postponements due to inclement weather and snow-covered fields. Some leagues even hold cup tournaments in late January and February, two months that will be avoided during the MLS season’s Winter break.

Are there any major drawbacks?

Of course the Winter weather will always be a concern, as matches are already played on snow-covered fields and sometimes in subzero temperatures. Just earlier this year, Sporting Kansas City hosted Inter Miami CF in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match in late February with temperatures under 4 degrees.

Fans of teams like Toronto, Montreal, New York/NYC, New England, and Colorado will be bracing for the effects of the schedule shift. Many of those clubs face sparse attendance in the colder parts of the current season structure and rely on Summer games to make up for the lost revenue. Now without many of those warmer weather games (especially for clubs who miss the postseason) it may lead to even worse attendance issues.

This also brings into question if the new schedule will provide an unfair advantage to teams in big southern markets such as Los Angeles, Miami, and Atlanta. It’s unclear if the league will schedule more home games for those clubs during the colder months to help avoid cancellations and sparse attendance, but if they do it could lead to some clubs going months without a single home game.

Another possible negative impact is in regards to media share and attention. With MLS competing with the NBA, NFL, NHL, and other major soccer leagues, it may limit the league’s ability to draw and keep eyes on their product. Many clubs play in markets with popular basketball, hockey, and football teams, meaning that fan focus may not fall on the soccer pitch during a majority of the season. 

For many of those fans, it’s easier to mix soccer in with a baseball season featuring well over 100 games rather than miss more pivotal matchups in other sports. How they’ll react once the schedule is updated remains to be seen, but it doesn’t bode well given MLS.

What does this mean for New York City FC?

With the schedule change coming the same year as the grand opening of Etihad Park in Queens, questions are already flying regarding what that means for the new stadium. Will there be extra efforts to provide heating? Will there be new efforts to weather-proof the facility? Will the stadium be available for the 2027 transition season or will it wait to open doors until the 2027-28 campaign later in the year?

So far the club has remained tight-lipped about the impacts to their new stadium. Still, the front office has voiced clear support of the schedule shift, noting its benefits especially in major soccer markets.

“Soccer is already seeing incredible levels of growth in North America, and aligning the League’s schedule to follow the international calendar provides us with the best opportunity to continue building off this momentum,” said New York City FC CEO Brad Sims following the league’s announcement. “Especially with the much-anticipated FIFA World Cup 26 coming next summer, followed shortly by the opening of our future home in Etihad Park, this decision could not come at a better time.”

New York City FC alluded that an official update on their new stadium’s availability for 2027 will come in the future, but it’s not likely they’d pass up an opportunity to finish completing the stadium for a full season rather than rush the finishing touches in time for an abbreviated one.

Apple TV deal drops paywall

Another piece of MLS news this past week was that Apple TV will no longer charge for the MLS season pass, dropping a paywall that limited the league’s reach during a valuable period of growth. Fans will still need an Apple TV subscription to enjoy matches, but without the extra $80 ($100 for those not subscribed to Apple TV) per year, the league will be far more accessible across the country and beyond.

This is a move that should do well to combat the competition with more popular sports throughout the MLS season, but the requirement still does limit the league’s reach beyond Apple TV subscribers. Apple has done relatively well to broadcast all Major League Soccer contests, but it’s difficult to ignore a lack of MLS presence outside of their platform. 

Hopefully with the calendar adjustment and lack of additional paywall Major League Soccer can pick up some new momentum, especially with the World Cup kicking off in 2026.

Messi Scores Two in Queens as Miami beats NYC

BQE Admin on October 4, 2025

Boys in Blue bounce back with Hudson River Derby win and double over Red Bulls

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The World’s Borough showed out for Lionel Messi’s first ever match in Queens last week. A crowd of over 40,000 filled Citi Field as New York City FC hosted Inter Miami. It was a pivotal match for Eastern Conference seeding, as NYC mounted an impressive hike up the table, even bypassing Miami (despite them having two games in hand).

NYC entered the match in the East’s 3rd seed with Miami right behind in 4th but still within reach of the Supporters Shield and 1st overall seed due to their extra games left to play.

It’s been a budding rivalry in the conference, with the sides already engaging in some heated contests and fans pitted against each other. It’s no surprise that Messi has caught the attention of fans across the country, especially in an international soccer capital like New York City. It wasn’t surprising to see so many pink #10 shirts mixed into the sea of sky blue NYC gear.

On the field, it was a series of blown chances that cost New York a foothold against the Floridian side. In the first half there were two golden opportunities to score, but a point-blank Thiago Martins header was saved by Miami’s Oscar Ustari and a shot by Nico Fernandez glanced off the wrong side of the post. 

Miami made the hosts pay before the break. Despite being the better side in the first half, NYC went into the half trailing by one after an immaculate assist by Messi to set up Baltasar Rodriguez.

The visitors piled on in the second half, with Messi finding the net himself in the 74th minute. The Queens crowd erupted as fans watched the greatest of all time beat the back line and softly chip the ball over Matt Freese.

Dejected, NYC limped towards the finish line, but Messi and Miami weren’t done. Luis Suarez netted a penalty in the 83rd minute before Messi completed his brace with a beautiful back-post shot just a few minutes later. The four goals scored were the most allowed by NYC all year, dampening what was a brilliant defensive record. It was also the first defeat suffered at Citi Field this year.

Just a few days later, NYC marched across the Hudson River to take on the New York Red Bulls. This time they got out on the front foot early, with Fernandez scoring just 90 seconds in.

Despite the early goal NYC again had trouble converting key chances, allowing their rivals back into the match. Youngster Julian Hall struck back to equalize in the 23rd minute and despite a brilliant header by Andres Perea to reestablish the lead, blown chances kept NYC from decisively pulling away.

Once again New York were punished, as Red Bulls star Emil Forsberg scored in the first minutes of the second half to keep his club’s playoff hopes alive.

Almost 20 minutes later and for the third time in the match, New York City seized the lead. This time it was captain Thiago Martins punching home a loose ball on the goal line after an initial stop on a Perea attempt.

With NYC unable to extend their lead, they looked to see out a tense finish. After 10 minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle finally blew, giving the visitors the win and a league double over their rivals. New York City players lifted the Hudson River Derby trophy in front of a sizable crowd of travelling fans.

The loss marked the likely end for the Red Bulls’ 15-year playoff streak, a Major League Soccer record. They currently sit in 10th, 5 points behind Chicago for the final postseason spot with matches coming up against 2nd place Cincinnati and 8th place Columbus.

For New York City, the season will come to an end at Citi Field against the Seattle Sounders after a road match against the rival Philadelphia Union. Just a few more points will secure a top-4 seed, giving the Boys in Blue a guaranteed home match in the playoffs.

Matt Freese Returns to NYC After Gold Cup Final Start

BQE Admin on July 14, 2025

Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

Matt Freese is making his return to New York City FC as they look ahead to their playoff push. (Photo: Noah Zimmerman, @n.z.media)

New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese is finally returning to the club following an impressive showing at the 2025 Gold Cup. The American shotstopper dazzled despite a loss to Mexico in the final, playing a big role in their path to the cup-deciding match.

In the quarterfinals, the tournament hosts were unable to fend off Costa Rica in regulation, conceding a 71st minute equalizer. In the resulting penalty shootout, it was Freese making a statement to send the Americans through to the semis.

The only penalty he didn’t get a hand to against Costa Rica came from his NYC teammate Alonso Martinez. The top scorer for the Boys in Blue winked at his ally-turned-foe before sending his shot down the middle.

Freese made stops on the second and fifth shots, getting a hand to the third and fourth. Legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas answered with a save of his own on John Tolkin to extend the match.

By this point, Freese was in the zone. The whole stadium knew what was coming and sure enough he made a definitive stop with Damion Downs converting the winning kick for the US.

Against Gold Cup semifinal debutants Guatemala, Freese was able to see out an early 2-goal cushion. He made four saves, only allowing a goal in the 80th minute against an enthused opponent.

Freese was busy between the posts in the Cup Final against Mexico. He was able to stop 6 of the 8 shots on target, but couldnít do much on the two goals from Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez.

NYC’s goalkeeper will return for a pivotal stretch of the season. With 14 matches and the Leagues Cup remaining, Freese will look to help the Boys in Blue clinch a postseason berth and earn more silverware.

New York City FC Extinguish the Fire, Move to 6th in East

BQE Admin on May 27, 2025

New York City FC are starting to put it together. They now hold the 4th best defensive record in MLS as they climb the Eastern Conference standings. (Photo: Noah Zimmerman, @n.z.media)

By Noah Zimmerman

Noah@queensledger.com

Three goals and two red cards gave New York City FC a comfortable win at Yankee Stadium over Memorial Day Weekend. After conceding an opening goal to the visiting Chicago Fire, NYC found the net three times in the second half for a second straight win.

Chicago’s goal came in the 19th minute, a strike by Philip Zinckernagel with an assist by Jonathan Dean. New York left too much open space around the top of the box, allowing for a long-distance shot to settle in the bottom left corner. At the half-hour mark Chicago nearly doubled the lead, but the play was ruled offside.

The defensive task was made easier by a reckless move by Chicago’s Brian Gutierrez. The central midfielder seemed to jump into the body of NYC midfielder Aiden O’Neill, catching him in the face with his elbow. Gutierrez was given a straight red card and Chicago was sent down to 10 men.

NYC capitalized in the second half with a goal by Monsef Bakrar and a wonderful strike by Hannes Wolf. After a controversial second red for the Fire, Alonso Martinez sealed a 3-1 win from the penalty spot. 

The Boys in Blue entered the week 6th in the East. After their midweek match vs Houston they head to Nashville on Saturday before hosting Atlanta on June 12th.

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