NYCFC news roundup: The next home playoff game and the international window | OneFootball

New York City FC has had a better season this year compared to 2023. They finished in sixth place compared to last year's 11th and had nine more points. Additionally, they are back in the playoffs, and made it past the Round One Best-of-3 series. The Pigeons forced a third match against FC Cincinnati and then beat them in a crazy penalty kick shootout.

Regardless, there are still higher expectations for the team as they head into 2025. Fans expect better from the Bronx side. Yet, the 2024 season is not over since the Eastern Conference Semifinals are next. Until then, there are some stories to cover. Here is the next NYCFC news roundup.

NYCFC has another home game in the playoffs

There are probably not too many people who thought NYCFC would play another home game if they progressed in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Instead, the Eastern Conference decided to enact chaos, and NYCFC, the New York Red Bulls, and Atlanta United FC all caused upsets with their first-round matchups.

In case one has not heard, the Boys in Blue will face their red rivals in the next round. Since the Pigeons finished in sixth and New Jersey seventh, the blue team will host another playoff game.

That is why the first-ever Hudson River Derby in the playoffs will take place at Citi Field. Yankee Stadium was unavailable due to a college football game there next weekend. Although, while Citi Field will host the fixture, there is a cap on attendance. Per the club, "previous stadium commitments" mean that "only the 100 and 300 sections of Citi Field will be open, limiting capacity to around 22,500 for this match."

While it is a bummer there will be limited attendance in the derby, at least NYCFC gets to host at one of their baseball stadiums. With the international window going on, the match will not take place until next Saturday, November 23.

Some NYCFC players are away with their national teams

Nine NYCFC players are away on international duty, with five from the first team and four from the MLS Next Pro side.

Tayvon Gray is back with Jamaica and will play two games against the USMNT, Alonso Martínez will play Panama twice while suiting up for Costa Rica, and Tomás Romero is back with El Salvador and will face Bonaire and Monserrat.

There are also a few NYCFC players who will play for their youth sides. Christian McFarlane is back with the U18 side for England and will first face Poland. Afterward, they will play in Germany or Belgium, depending on the outcome of that match. Plus, Jovan Mijatović will be with the U21 team for Serbia as they face Turkey.

Furthermore, Andrew Baiera and Jonathan Shore will suit up for the U19 USMNT and Máximo Carrizo will be with U17s for the US. Lastly, Klevis Haxhari will be with the U21 Albanian team.

NYCFC has plenty of players away with their national teams. For those with the first team, one can only hope everyone comes back healthy.