New York City Football Club Fan Zone- Everything You Need To Know About The New York City Football Club

New York City Football Club Team Profile

New York City Football Club Betting Tips, Predictions, and Winning Odds

Six years into their existence, NYCFC are slowly gaining an identity outside the “Celebrity Designated Players and A Bunch Of Other Guys” rosters of the early years. And while the team wouldn’t be where they were today without David Villa, Frank Lampard, and Andrea Pirlo, the squad they’ve assembled for the 2019 season feels deeper, more cohesive, and, hopefully, more suited to long term success. 

As of the 2019 International break, NYCFC sit in 6^th in the Eastern Conference, 7 points back of league leaders Philadelphia, and only 4 points back of second place Montreal and D.C.. Even more encouraging is the fact that they’ve only lost once in the entire season, amassing a 8 draws to go along with their 5 wins. 

Oddsmakers seem to be flocking to them as well, as their recent form has them sixth in the entire league to win the MLS Cup at +1400. (Odds are, of course, majorly skewed by the overwhelming season of LAFC.) In the Eastern Conference, away from LAFC’s influence, NYCFC’s odds are even better, at +450. Much to every NYCFC fan’s delight, these sit above rivals NY Red Bulls, who sit at +600.

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New York City Football Club- 2019 Team

For the franchise’s entire existence, NYCFC has been David Villa’s team. So with his departure during the off-season, there was some obvious concern as to what the team’s identity would be. Who would step up and be the new face of the team? And more importantly, where would the scoring come from? At the beginning of the season, no one really knew.

There was plenty of optimism that new DP Alexandru Mitrita, a 24 year-old Romanian midfielder-forward would take up a bunch of the scoring slack left by Villa’s departure, and so far, he’s done a fairly decent job in the role despite some injury issues, with 4 goals in 12 matches. Maxi Moralez was another suitor to the throne, as he pretty much filled the role last year when Villa went down, putting together similar numbers in the superstar’s absence on his way to an impressive 8 goal/16 assist season. This year has started no differently, as he sits 2^nd in the league with 9 assists already in the year, to go along with 3 goals. Last year’s breakout player Ismael Tajouri-Shradi has added 3 goals this year, but his successor in the breakout star category, the late off-season acquisition Heber, has been the true find, with 6 goals and 3 assists in only 10 games. 

While the midfield is a work in progress with youngsters Justin Haak, James Sands, Juan Pablo Torres, and Keaton Parks all 21 and under, on defense, NYCFC has been as solid as expected, with the combo of Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens providing a seasoned back line in front of veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson. So far, they’ve only allowed 17 goals (4^th fewest in the league) and have 6 shutouts. 

Who Were New York City Football Club's Top Scorers Last Season?

• David Villa: 14 goals, 5 assists

• Ismael Tajouri-Shradi: 11 goals, 3 assists
• Maxi Moralez: 8 goals, 16 assists
• Jesus Torres: 6 goals, 7 assists
• Anton Tinnerholm: 4 goals, 6 assists

Who Are New York City Football Club's All-Time Top Scorers?

• David Villa: 77 goals
• Frank Lampard: 15 goals
• Jack Harrison: 14 goals
• Maxi Moralez: 13 goals
• Thomas McNamara: 13 goals

Who Owns New York City Football Club?

Hint: look at the colors of the kit.

Since its inception, the MLS has been interested in creating meaningful ties to the big international clubs, with MLS Commissioner Don Garber in 2008 making his first attempt to woo Barcelona to invest in a New York City team, with the once MetroStars, now Red Bulls, ceding their territorial rights with their move to New Jersey. That didn’t work out, but when then Barca VP Ferran Soriano was named Manchester City CEO, talks started up again, now with Man City the target owners. And so, in 2013, with the backing of both Man City and the New York Yankees, NYCFC was introduced as the leagues 20^th franchise. 

While many have enjoyed the tie to such prestigious clubs, the relationship has not been without it’s issues. Many supporters are worried that owners see NYCFC as little more than a subsidiary team to the big guys in England, who regularly match their exorbitant salaries with equally exorbitant success. Meanwhile, back here in the US, the team still plays in the strangely configurated confines of Yankee Stadium, the total opposite of a soccer-friendly arena. Plans for their own stadium have started and failed over the years, be it in The Bronx, Queens, or Long Island, but as of now, there are no concrete plans for construction.

Who Are New York City Football Club's Biggest Rivalries?

There isn’t much depth to the animosity that can grow over 6 years, but, so far, enough ill will has formed with the shared-city-but-cross-river New York Red Bulls that it indeed counts as a rivalry. In the city’s true first Hudson River Derby, on May 10^th, 2015, the Red Bulls defeated NYCFC, starting a contentious competition that seems to have spawned some genuine bad feelings between the two sides, with angry words and the occasional fight. 

What Are New York City Football Club's Highest Salaries? How Much Is The Team Worth?

According to Forbes, NYCFC currently rank as the 7^thmost valuable franchise in the MLS with a value of $278 million, above the despised Red Bulls, but well below smaller market teams such as Atlanta, Seattle, and Portland, all of whom play in bigger stadiums built, if not specifically for, then at least well-suited for soccer. Yes, we’re stating again that Yankee Stadium is not a great place to watch soccer.

With the departures of high priced stars like David Villa, one would have thought the clubs expenses would diminish (and they have, actually.) But they still stand 3^rdin the league in team salaries, headed by DP Maxi Morales, and his $2 million/year salary. Midfielder Alexander Ring close in 2^nd at $850,000, with Jesus Medina close behind at $750,000.

What Are New York City Football Club's Most Memorable Moments and Greatest Achievements?

In six years, it’s a little hard to make history, but with one of the greatest players to play the game on your team, they can make for some memorable moments. A few:

• David Villa’s 400^th Goal.
• Villa’s Hudson River Derby Hat Trick
• Villa’s Goal From 50 Yards Out

New York City Football Club Fan Profile

NYCFC’s official supporter group, The Third Rail, began in 2013, and amassed 1,600 members a year before the team ever took the field, it’s mantra to power the club just as the third rail powers the NY subways. Even with the sub-optimal stadium situation, the club sold 20,000 season tickets prior to their first game, and even with the new stadium situation in constant flux, they continue to bring in the 7^thhighest average attendance in the league, over 4,00 more fans on average than their cross-river rivals the Red Bulls. 

How dedicated are NYCFC fans? They will even go so far as to follow through on Twitter bets they made involving shaving a player’s number into their hair.

Yankee Stadium

It’s a baseball stadium. And if you see any NYCFC home games, either on TV or, God help you,  in person, that is abundantly clear. The field is a baseball field, with base-paths and outfields, not a soccer pitch, with, well, grass. To watch some of the best players in the world dribble over second base (fortunately removed for soccer matches) is a disgrace, and yet, Manchester City and The New York Yankees, two of the richest teams in all of sports, have yet to find a new place to play. Time will tell how much longer fans will tolerate the conditions.

Famous New York City Football Club Legends

Whether they were already legends when they got here, or added to their own dynasties at the club, there are a few notable players who’ve called NYCFC their team.

• David Villa: Considered one of the best forwards of his generation, Villa was, unlike some of the other NYCFC DP signings, a true MLS superstar, still in his prime as a player during his stint with the MLS. The MVP of the league in 2016, and runner up in 2017, he will always be the face of NYFC.
• Frank Lampard: The former West Ham and Chelsea star started his NYCFC in 2014 with a bit of controversy, as he was “loaned” to the parent club, Manchester City for an extended period, annoying MLS fans and Premier League fans alike. After a year at Man City, Lampard finally joined the American side, and over the course of his year and a half with the club, he was sometimes brilliant, more times injured. He retired at the end of his two year contract in 2017. 
• Patrick Vieira: The Arsenal star transitioned to coaching after retirement, and, after joining Man City as head of their academy, used his position there to secure the job as manager of NYCFC. His success (NYCFC improved I each of the seasons he managed) and coaching style earned him so much praise that he was able to land a job back in his homeland as head man at Nice.
• Andrea Pirlo: The Italian national team star made his way to NYCFC after a long career in Italy, first at A.C. Milan, then Juventus. At NYCFC, he had flashes of the prime Pirlo, but, to be honest, he wasn’t the same player. Those flowing locks and Italian attitude were still a major draw.