NYCFC news roundup: Matt Freese and the USMNT, mini-pitches, and more | OneFootball

New York City FC will not play a game until June 12 and will only play two matches in June. In some ways, this is a well-deserved break for everyone who will be with the team for one or both games and not with their international teams. May was an insane month for the Pigeons with plenty of ups and downs. They might have won the first Hudson River Derby of the season, but were also the only Major League Soccer side to be eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 32.

While fans will have to wait to see the team play, there are some items off the pitch that must be discussed. Here is the next NYCFC news roundup.

NYCFC news roundup: Matt Freese and more

Matt Freese will be at the Gold Cup

After getting called up for international duty with the USMNT, Matt Freese has been confirmed to be a part of the Gold Cup roster. This is great news for the goalkeeper, who has proven his talent game after game.

For NYCFC, it is not the best news since he will miss, at a minimum, one game, with a maximum of three. However, the good news is that it will only be a few matches. Plus, Freese deserves to prove himself with the USMNT. Hopefully, he will have a chance to finally make his debut in either one of the international friendlies or during the Cup.

NYCFC and the opening of more mini-pitches

NYCFC is part of the New York City Soccer Initiative, or NYCSI. Through the NYCSI, the club was able to be a major part of opening 50 mini-pitches around New York City.

Now, they will be creating and opening 26 more, with the goal to open all of them by next summer's World Cup. So, on Monday, the first of the 26 was opened at  PS 211 Elm Tree Elementary School in Corona, Queens. These pitches provide safe places for kids to play the beautiful game and work on their craft. Free soccer programming is often offered, too.

The commitment to open 26 more mini-pitches after the initial 50 highlights NYCFC's value to the city. They are not here just to play a game. Rather, they want to give back to the Big Apple, and that includes investing in the youth.

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