New York City FC 2026 Season Preview

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Major League Soccer

·16 February 2026

New York City FC 2026 Season Preview

By MLSsoccer staff

2026 Schedule

First game: Feb. 22 - 7 pm ET at LA Galaxy
Home opener: March 7 - 2:30 pm ET vs. Orlando City SC
Full schedule
Watch on Apple TV

Team Snapshot

New York City FC made a surprise run to the 2025 Eastern Conference Final, capping a strong first season under head coach Pascal Jansen.

OneFootball Videos

Their squad leans heavily on goalkeeper Matt Freese, who's well-positioned to start for the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He's enjoyed a rapid rise for club and country.

NYCFC's other star is Nicolás Fernández Mercau, who arrived last summer from LaLiga side Elche. The Argentine playmaker will prove key alongside Talles Magno as striker Alonso Martínez recovers from an ACL tear.

Key Signings

Kai Trewin: The Australian international defender/midfielder was acquired from A-League side Melbourne City FC. He could feature at this summer's World Cup alongside midfielder Aiden O'Neill.

Full roster

Rolling the tape on Kai 🦘
– Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Key Departures

Julián Fernández: After three seasons with NYCFC, the Argentine winger was loaned to Argentine Primera División side Rosario Central.
Justin Haak: The homegrown midfielder/defender enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, then signed with the LA Galaxy in free agency.
Mitja Ilenič: The Slovenian defender joined Polish first-division side Raków Częstochowa on loan after three seasons with NYCFC.

Projected Starting XI

Predictions

Apple TV talent predict the 2026 regular season for New York City FC.

Andrés Agulla: 4th in Eastern Conference
Marcelo Balboa: 7th in Eastern Conference
Max Bretos: 12th in Eastern Conference
Steve Cangialosi: 3rd in Eastern Conference
Daniel Chapela: 9th in Eastern Conference
Miguel Gallardo: 10th in Eastern Conference
Michele Giannone: 6th in Eastern Conference
Tony Husband: 6th in Eastern Conference
Sacha Kljestan: 5th in Eastern Conference
Kaylyn Kyle: 6th in Eastern Conference
Lori Lindsey: 11th in Eastern Conference
Dax McCarty: 7th in Eastern Conference
Sammy Sadovnik: 12th in Eastern Conference
Bruno Vain: 10th in Eastern Conference
Bradley Wright-Phillips: 5th in Eastern Conference

New Kit

BUY NOW: New York City FC’s All Nations Kit

A kit fit for the World's Game in the World's City 🌐🗽 Introducing the All Nations Kit, New York City FC’s new secondary kit.
– Tuesday, 10 February 2026