New York City FC finally ran into its inevitable scheduling conflict with their fellow Yankee Stadium tenants this week. Seeing as the baseball team is the original occupant and the team with its name on the building, NYCFC had to go play its game in Connecticut in front of literally dozens of people.
NYCFC is looking at two stadium sites. One is a lot better than the other.
What’s the point of NYCFC if it’s not in the city?
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The bad PR generated from that has caused NYCFC to make sure everyone knows the club is working on getting its own stadium. Its preferred option is in Jamaica, Queens, right off a subway stop. But the club’s backup plan, at Belmont Park, is extremely unpopular.
Belmont is on the border of Queens and Nassau County, and the site is not accessible via the subway. However, this week is the deadline for bids on the property, so NYCFC is going forward with one just in case.
But a move to Belmont Park would be a disaster for a club whose entire branding is predicated on being New York City’s club, in contrast to New Jersey-based rivals New York Red Bulls. Harrison, NJ is more accessible by public transit from the city than Belmont is.
Any soccer-specific stadium controlled by NYCFC might be a better situation than Yankee Stadium, but a move to Belmont is one that will alienate fans who currently attend matches in the Bronx.
Goal line clearance of the day
What a play by Nacho Monreal. (@NBCSportsSoccer)
In the news
Gareth Barry broke the all-time Premier League appearances record on Monday. (@WBA)
Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is likely out several months with a knee injury. (Bitter and Blue)
Russian authorities have warned traveling fans to behave, or else they’ll face a “long stay in Russia.” (Guardian)
Atlanta United star Miguel Almiron is out at least three weeks with a hamstring injury. (Atlanta United FC)
Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira are back in Juventus training. (Football Italia)
You should be reading
Carrie Dunn on the joy of following your favorite players to new places after they leave your favorite club. (Unusual Efforts)
Mohamed Mohamed on Bordeaux’s improvement and push for Champions League. (Stats Bomb)
David Squires on fans persisting with the bad Romelu Lukaku song. (Guardian)
What happened on Monday
Arsenal grabbed three points against West Brom. (The Short Fuse)
What to watch on Tuesday (click for listings, all times ET)
Champions League: eight games (2:45 p.m.) -- We recommend Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid.
