John Baney
@thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social
Guy who likes NYCFC
✍️ @hudsonriverblue.com
✍️ @theoutfield.nyc (like one time but I'm proud of it)
🎙️ @hrbpod.bsky.social
🎙️ Footy Banter
⚽️ Cosmopolitan Soccer League
⚽️ Dickinson College (#whyD3)
✍️ @hudsonriverblue.com
✍️ @theoutfield.nyc (like one time but I'm proud of it)
🎙️ @hrbpod.bsky.social
🎙️ Footy Banter
⚽️ Cosmopolitan Soccer League
⚽️ Dickinson College (#whyD3)
Reposted by John Baney
Following MLS is harder than it should be, so I made an automated daily newsletter that rounds up high-quality coverage from around the league.
I'll tell you all about it tomorrow but you can sign up in advance here: tally.so/r/eq6DQx
I'll tell you all about it tomorrow but you can sign up in advance here: tally.so/r/eq6DQx
February 19, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Following MLS is harder than it should be, so I made an automated daily newsletter that rounds up high-quality coverage from around the league.
I'll tell you all about it tomorrow but you can sign up in advance here: tally.so/r/eq6DQx
I'll tell you all about it tomorrow but you can sign up in advance here: tally.so/r/eq6DQx
Reposted by John Baney
What our writers think of @newyorkcityfc.com heading into the 2026 season: Strengths, weaknesses, players we’re excited to watch, vibes, it’s all covered
Roundtable ft. @thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social, @andrewkleigh.bsky.social, @matthewmangam.bsky.social, @markradigan.bsky.social, @raf.bsky.social ⬇️
Roundtable ft. @thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social, @andrewkleigh.bsky.social, @matthewmangam.bsky.social, @markradigan.bsky.social, @raf.bsky.social ⬇️
HRB Roundtable: Are New York City FC ready for the 2026 season?
Can Pascal Jansen rely on New York City FC's midfield and defensive spine to get the season off to a strong start despite missing a striker?
www.hudsonriverblue.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM
What our writers think of @newyorkcityfc.com heading into the 2026 season: Strengths, weaknesses, players we’re excited to watch, vibes, it’s all covered
Roundtable ft. @thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social, @andrewkleigh.bsky.social, @matthewmangam.bsky.social, @markradigan.bsky.social, @raf.bsky.social ⬇️
Roundtable ft. @thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social, @andrewkleigh.bsky.social, @matthewmangam.bsky.social, @markradigan.bsky.social, @raf.bsky.social ⬇️
Pascal Jansen just does really cool stuff
For each corner they defended so far in their Coachella match vs San Jose, they’ve been pushing 4 or 5 bodies up to midfield so the attacking team can’t flood the box
Chelsea notably tried this earlier this year to counter Arsenal’s set piece dominance
For each corner they defended so far in their Coachella match vs San Jose, they’ve been pushing 4 or 5 bodies up to midfield so the attacking team can’t flood the box
Chelsea notably tried this earlier this year to counter Arsenal’s set piece dominance
February 14, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Pascal Jansen just does really cool stuff
For each corner they defended so far in their Coachella match vs San Jose, they’ve been pushing 4 or 5 bodies up to midfield so the attacking team can’t flood the box
Chelsea notably tried this earlier this year to counter Arsenal’s set piece dominance
For each corner they defended so far in their Coachella match vs San Jose, they’ve been pushing 4 or 5 bodies up to midfield so the attacking team can’t flood the box
Chelsea notably tried this earlier this year to counter Arsenal’s set piece dominance
Reposted by John Baney
According to Pascal Jansen, Talles Magno won’t return to team training for 1-2 more weeks & the team isn’t close to signing a new striker in the wake of the failed Moussa Sylla transfer
More updates from Jansen here on Kai Trewin, Aiden O’Neill, Jonny Shore, and Nico playing as a “No 9.5”
More updates from Jansen here on Kai Trewin, Aiden O’Neill, Jonny Shore, and Nico playing as a “No 9.5”
Pascal Jansen: Talles Magno sidelined with preseason injury
The NYCFC coach says Talles Magno won't rejoin team training sessions for one or two more weeks, though injury updates were more positive for midfielders Aiden O'Neill and Jonny Shore.
www.hudsonriverblue.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:19 PM
According to Pascal Jansen, Talles Magno won’t return to team training for 1-2 more weeks & the team isn’t close to signing a new striker in the wake of the failed Moussa Sylla transfer
More updates from Jansen here on Kai Trewin, Aiden O’Neill, Jonny Shore, and Nico playing as a “No 9.5”
More updates from Jansen here on Kai Trewin, Aiden O’Neill, Jonny Shore, and Nico playing as a “No 9.5”
Had a great time hopping on @soccerwisehq.bsky.social with @empiregass.bsky.social to chat NYCFC ahead of the 2026 season
The work Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social are doing for soccer media in this country is truly vital, so to play even a small part in their coverage is a huge honor ✌️
The work Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social are doing for soccer media in this country is truly vital, so to play even a small part in their coverage is a huge honor ✌️
2026 NYCFC season preview with @hudsonriverblue.com 🎧
John (@thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social) of @hrbpod.bsky.social joins @empiregass.bsky.social to talk all things NYCFC and see where the season can take them.
📺: youtu.be/cNznUWureV4
John (@thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social) of @hrbpod.bsky.social joins @empiregass.bsky.social to talk all things NYCFC and see where the season can take them.
📺: youtu.be/cNznUWureV4
2026 NYCFC Season Preview with Hudson River Blue
YouTube video by SoccerwiseHQ
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Had a great time hopping on @soccerwisehq.bsky.social with @empiregass.bsky.social to chat NYCFC ahead of the 2026 season
The work Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social are doing for soccer media in this country is truly vital, so to play even a small part in their coverage is a huge honor ✌️
The work Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social are doing for soccer media in this country is truly vital, so to play even a small part in their coverage is a huge honor ✌️
Reposted by John Baney
2026 NYCFC season preview with @hudsonriverblue.com 🎧
John (@thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social) of @hrbpod.bsky.social joins @empiregass.bsky.social to talk all things NYCFC and see where the season can take them.
📺: youtu.be/cNznUWureV4
John (@thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social) of @hrbpod.bsky.social joins @empiregass.bsky.social to talk all things NYCFC and see where the season can take them.
📺: youtu.be/cNznUWureV4
2026 NYCFC Season Preview with Hudson River Blue
YouTube video by SoccerwiseHQ
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 10:28 PM
2026 NYCFC season preview with @hudsonriverblue.com 🎧
John (@thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social) of @hrbpod.bsky.social joins @empiregass.bsky.social to talk all things NYCFC and see where the season can take them.
📺: youtu.be/cNznUWureV4
John (@thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social) of @hrbpod.bsky.social joins @empiregass.bsky.social to talk all things NYCFC and see where the season can take them.
📺: youtu.be/cNznUWureV4
Reposted by John Baney
🎙️ In today's pre-season press conference,
Pascal Jansen says more regular starters will be in the final match Sunday
Also:
-Aiden O'Neill has been a full practice participant for the last two days
-Johnny Shore is also very close
-Talles Magno is still building conditioning
Pascal Jansen says more regular starters will be in the final match Sunday
Also:
-Aiden O'Neill has been a full practice participant for the last two days
-Johnny Shore is also very close
-Talles Magno is still building conditioning
February 13, 2026 at 10:17 PM
🎙️ In today's pre-season press conference,
Pascal Jansen says more regular starters will be in the final match Sunday
Also:
-Aiden O'Neill has been a full practice participant for the last two days
-Johnny Shore is also very close
-Talles Magno is still building conditioning
Pascal Jansen says more regular starters will be in the final match Sunday
Also:
-Aiden O'Neill has been a full practice participant for the last two days
-Johnny Shore is also very close
-Talles Magno is still building conditioning
Reposted by John Baney
🎙️ Pascal Jansen on time crunch regarding a potential new striker signing:
"I dont think its realistic to see the number 9 we're looking for to be on the pitch" against LA Galaxy
however "the search continues... we're still looking for the right number 9 to support this team"
"I dont think its realistic to see the number 9 we're looking for to be on the pitch" against LA Galaxy
however "the search continues... we're still looking for the right number 9 to support this team"
February 13, 2026 at 10:17 PM
🎙️ Pascal Jansen on time crunch regarding a potential new striker signing:
"I dont think its realistic to see the number 9 we're looking for to be on the pitch" against LA Galaxy
however "the search continues... we're still looking for the right number 9 to support this team"
"I dont think its realistic to see the number 9 we're looking for to be on the pitch" against LA Galaxy
however "the search continues... we're still looking for the right number 9 to support this team"
Awesome stuff from Glenn here
It’s very interesting to see see Talles describe ~himself~ as a striker, saying he’d prefer the 9 over LW if he had to pick one position to focus on this season
The narrative has long been “Lee/Cushing ~made~ him a striker” back in his difficult season there in ‘23
It’s very interesting to see see Talles describe ~himself~ as a striker, saying he’d prefer the 9 over LW if he had to pick one position to focus on this season
The narrative has long been “Lee/Cushing ~made~ him a striker” back in his difficult season there in ‘23
The most complete evaluation you will get on Talles Magno, back w/ #NYCFC after his long-term loan at Corinthians.
It comes from my exclusive 1-on-1 w/ NYC coach Pascal Jansen.
This is a 3-minute+ clip but worth the listen.
Talles wants to be the striker. 👇
@siriusxmfc.bsky.social #MLS
It comes from my exclusive 1-on-1 w/ NYC coach Pascal Jansen.
This is a 3-minute+ clip but worth the listen.
Talles wants to be the striker. 👇
@siriusxmfc.bsky.social #MLS
February 12, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Awesome stuff from Glenn here
It’s very interesting to see see Talles describe ~himself~ as a striker, saying he’d prefer the 9 over LW if he had to pick one position to focus on this season
The narrative has long been “Lee/Cushing ~made~ him a striker” back in his difficult season there in ‘23
It’s very interesting to see see Talles describe ~himself~ as a striker, saying he’d prefer the 9 over LW if he had to pick one position to focus on this season
The narrative has long been “Lee/Cushing ~made~ him a striker” back in his difficult season there in ‘23
Reposted by John Baney
Turns out the Cristian Espinoza fiasco was only the second biggest fumble of the MLS offseason
Massive signing for @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social , massive fumble for @mls.bsky.social
BREAKING 🚨
@mattdoyle.bsky.social is OFFICIALLY joining Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social ‼️
@mattdoyle.bsky.social is OFFICIALLY joining Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social ‼️
February 11, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Turns out the Cristian Espinoza fiasco was only the second biggest fumble of the MLS offseason
Massive signing for @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social , massive fumble for @mls.bsky.social
BREAKING 🚨
@mattdoyle.bsky.social is OFFICIALLY joining Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social ‼️
@mattdoyle.bsky.social is OFFICIALLY joining Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social ‼️
February 11, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Massive signing for @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social , massive fumble for @mls.bsky.social
Reposted by John Baney
I don't know who's in charge of MLS media but I do know that I wouldn't hire them to run a lemonade stand. I don't think I've ever seen an organization with less of an idea of what they have that is valuable and isn't. It's more than penny pinching, it's incompetence.
February 11, 2026 at 6:05 PM
I don't know who's in charge of MLS media but I do know that I wouldn't hire them to run a lemonade stand. I don't think I've ever seen an organization with less of an idea of what they have that is valuable and isn't. It's more than penny pinching, it's incompetence.
Reposted by John Baney
MLS Announces Plan To Replace Matt Doyle With AI Chatbot Of Simon Borg That Will Cover Polymarket Parlays
www.thenutmegnews.com/current/2026...
www.thenutmegnews.com/current/2026...
MLS Announces Plan To Replace Matt Doyle With AI Chatbot Of Simon Borg That Will Cover Polymarket Parlays — The Nutmeg News
Major League Soccer (MLS) announced their plan, today, to replace Matt “Armchair Analyst” Doyle with an AI chatbot of Simon Borg that will exclusively cover Polymarket Parlays.
www.thenutmegnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:50 PM
MLS Announces Plan To Replace Matt Doyle With AI Chatbot Of Simon Borg That Will Cover Polymarket Parlays
www.thenutmegnews.com/current/2026...
www.thenutmegnews.com/current/2026...
Reposted by John Baney
Cutting the best writer and analyst from their website not long after they did the same to their long-running fantasy game: why does MLS so badly want to kill its own website, and what will they think of next in their endless quest to piss off and alienate the most engaged of their fans?
February 11, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Cutting the best writer and analyst from their website not long after they did the same to their long-running fantasy game: why does MLS so badly want to kill its own website, and what will they think of next in their endless quest to piss off and alienate the most engaged of their fans?
Reposted by John Baney
Fifteen years ago, I got my dream job writing for MLSsoccer. Last week, that came to an end.
I'm off on my own, and it's time to build something new – with a little help from all of you.
tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/an-end-to-my...
I'm off on my own, and it's time to build something new – with a little help from all of you.
tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/an-end-to-my...
February 11, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Fifteen years ago, I got my dream job writing for MLSsoccer. Last week, that came to an end.
I'm off on my own, and it's time to build something new – with a little help from all of you.
tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/an-end-to-my...
I'm off on my own, and it's time to build something new – with a little help from all of you.
tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/an-end-to-my...
Reposted by John Baney
🎸 @sixonefivesoccer.com - tinyurl.com/3j4nyhaw
🗽 @hudsonriverblue.com - tinyurl.com/mshdun46
🟠 @thepostcincy.com - tinyurl.com/6wsh9z57
🫖 @theblazingmusket.com - tinyurl.com/yc3fd5f7
🌲 The Timber Review - tinyurl.com/2t4bx82j
🤠 @bigdsoccer.com - tinyurl.com/5ez2eutf
🗽 @hudsonriverblue.com - tinyurl.com/mshdun46
🟠 @thepostcincy.com - tinyurl.com/6wsh9z57
🫖 @theblazingmusket.com - tinyurl.com/yc3fd5f7
🌲 The Timber Review - tinyurl.com/2t4bx82j
🤠 @bigdsoccer.com - tinyurl.com/5ez2eutf
February 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM
February 9, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by John Baney
days without NYCFC striker drama:
|￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣|
0
|＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿|
\ (•◡•) /
\ /
|￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣|
0
|＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿|
\ (•◡•) /
\ /
I have a growing theory that Talles Magno isn’t with the team in Coachella…
This is super unconfirmed, but he didn’t feature in the friendly vs LAFC, and he hasn’t appeared in ANY of NYCFC’s posts since they got there
Also, notice who’s missing from the performance trackers…
This is super unconfirmed, but he didn’t feature in the friendly vs LAFC, and he hasn’t appeared in ANY of NYCFC’s posts since they got there
Also, notice who’s missing from the performance trackers…
February 9, 2026 at 7:04 PM
days without NYCFC striker drama:
|￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣|
0
|＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿|
\ (•◡•) /
\ /
|￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣|
0
|＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿|
\ (•◡•) /
\ /
I have a growing theory that Talles Magno isn’t with the team in Coachella…
This is super unconfirmed, but he didn’t feature in the friendly vs LAFC, and he hasn’t appeared in ANY of NYCFC’s posts since they got there
Also, notice who’s missing from the performance trackers…
This is super unconfirmed, but he didn’t feature in the friendly vs LAFC, and he hasn’t appeared in ANY of NYCFC’s posts since they got there
Also, notice who’s missing from the performance trackers…
February 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
I have a growing theory that Talles Magno isn’t with the team in Coachella…
This is super unconfirmed, but he didn’t feature in the friendly vs LAFC, and he hasn’t appeared in ANY of NYCFC’s posts since they got there
Also, notice who’s missing from the performance trackers…
This is super unconfirmed, but he didn’t feature in the friendly vs LAFC, and he hasn’t appeared in ANY of NYCFC’s posts since they got there
Also, notice who’s missing from the performance trackers…
Huuuuge HRB Podcast this week to break down the Moussa Sylla transfer saga
Listen along for how things broke down between NYCFC and Schalke, and where NYCFC go from here in their search for a new number nine
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts
Listen along for how things broke down between NYCFC and Schalke, and where NYCFC go from here in their search for a new number nine
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts
February 4, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Huuuuge HRB Podcast this week to break down the Moussa Sylla transfer saga
Listen along for how things broke down between NYCFC and Schalke, and where NYCFC go from here in their search for a new number nine
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts
Listen along for how things broke down between NYCFC and Schalke, and where NYCFC go from here in their search for a new number nine
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts
Reposted by John Baney
🚨 NEW POD 🚨
bit.ly/49YdzKI
WE TALK
📝 Sylla more like Sy-ya-lla-ter 🙅♂️
🇦🇺 Back to the Out(center)back 🦘
🏈 The not-MLS Cup 🏟️
and
⌚️♣️ WATCH CLUB PT 2 ⌚️♣️
🥋 SHAOLIN SOCCER ⚽️
a very dumb movie (we don’t regret watching)
subscribe bbs 💙🔵🔵
bit.ly/49YdzKI
WE TALK
📝 Sylla more like Sy-ya-lla-ter 🙅♂️
🇦🇺 Back to the Out(center)back 🦘
🏈 The not-MLS Cup 🏟️
and
⌚️♣️ WATCH CLUB PT 2 ⌚️♣️
🥋 SHAOLIN SOCCER ⚽️
a very dumb movie (we don’t regret watching)
subscribe bbs 💙🔵🔵
S11.5E2: Watch Club 2 - Getting Sylla With It
Jake and Trey are back at the tail end of silly season, talking practical signings and practical kung fu! Your boys in blue talk australian imports, strikers not striking (we recorded before the Sylla...
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 12:44 AM
🚨 NEW POD 🚨
bit.ly/49YdzKI
WE TALK
📝 Sylla more like Sy-ya-lla-ter 🙅♂️
🇦🇺 Back to the Out(center)back 🦘
🏈 The not-MLS Cup 🏟️
and
⌚️♣️ WATCH CLUB PT 2 ⌚️♣️
🥋 SHAOLIN SOCCER ⚽️
a very dumb movie (we don’t regret watching)
subscribe bbs 💙🔵🔵
bit.ly/49YdzKI
WE TALK
📝 Sylla more like Sy-ya-lla-ter 🙅♂️
🇦🇺 Back to the Out(center)back 🦘
🏈 The not-MLS Cup 🏟️
and
⌚️♣️ WATCH CLUB PT 2 ⌚️♣️
🥋 SHAOLIN SOCCER ⚽️
a very dumb movie (we don’t regret watching)
subscribe bbs 💙🔵🔵
On “the other app”, I am being absolutely ripped to shreds by an army of Schalke fans for suggesting that NYCFC are well within their rights to not a sign a player if they have issues with the medical.
The way I see it, no matter how “agreed” the deal was, they’re always contingent on the medical
The way I see it, no matter how “agreed” the deal was, they’re always contingent on the medical
February 3, 2026 at 6:33 PM
On “the other app”, I am being absolutely ripped to shreds by an army of Schalke fans for suggesting that NYCFC are well within their rights to not a sign a player if they have issues with the medical.
The way I see it, no matter how “agreed” the deal was, they’re always contingent on the medical
The way I see it, no matter how “agreed” the deal was, they’re always contingent on the medical
Reposted by John Baney
No new DP yet but NYCFC officially has a new pigeon mascot that looks like this (wearing mascot version of Timbs as well) and is named Sky Scraper
February 2, 2026 at 5:07 PM
No new DP yet but NYCFC officially has a new pigeon mascot that looks like this (wearing mascot version of Timbs as well) and is named Sky Scraper
A great read (as always) by @andrewkleigh.bsky.social on NYCFC's wild Moussa Sylla's saga
So much to unpack here, from Sylla and the medical, to the domino effect of roster moves that followed ... for a transfer that doesn't look to be happening
www.hudsonriverblue.com/moussa-sylla...
So much to unpack here, from Sylla and the medical, to the domino effect of roster moves that followed ... for a transfer that doesn't look to be happening
www.hudsonriverblue.com/moussa-sylla...
Moussa Sylla move to New York City FC appears to collapse
The 26-year-old striker looked set to join NYCFC from FC Schalke 04, but reports from Germany indicate concerns raised by New York City over Sylla's medical led to a breakdown in negotiations.
www.hudsonriverblue.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:58 AM
A great read (as always) by @andrewkleigh.bsky.social on NYCFC's wild Moussa Sylla's saga
So much to unpack here, from Sylla and the medical, to the domino effect of roster moves that followed ... for a transfer that doesn't look to be happening
www.hudsonriverblue.com/moussa-sylla...
So much to unpack here, from Sylla and the medical, to the domino effect of roster moves that followed ... for a transfer that doesn't look to be happening
www.hudsonriverblue.com/moussa-sylla...
Reposted by John Baney
Tomorrow, Hudson River Blue will honor the general strike and won't post any articles or update the Transfer Tracker
We explain why here ⬇️
We explain why here ⬇️
Hudson River Blue will join nationwide general strike
In honor of the national shutdown we will not post any articles or update the Transfer Tracker on Friday, January 30.
www.hudsonriverblue.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Tomorrow, Hudson River Blue will honor the general strike and won't post any articles or update the Transfer Tracker
We explain why here ⬇️
We explain why here ⬇️