"The first goal in the game is a massive thing in our sport." Pascal Jansen said it after Columbus. The Pigeons proved it again in Charlotte. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc and @justinegan.theoutfield.nyc look at how early goals for NYCFC led to two victories: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/the-first-...
The First Goal Is a Massive Thing
A week ago, the Pigeons were mired in one of MLS's ugliest runs. Now they have two straight wins, and getting on the board first made both possible.
theoutfield.nyc
Top notch analysis here from Paul!
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 3mo agoPascal Jansen is sitting Parks, Magno, and Reid, three of NYCFC's five best attacking players by npxG/96, in favor of a midfield and attack that doesn't work. @paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc on how NYCFC is choking away the easiest stretch of their season: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/control-fr...
After a hot start, #NYCFC is now winless in their last six league games. But, @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc writes, while the results have turned, the starting lineup has not. www.theoutfield.nyc/p/quicksand
Quicksand
NYCFC’s 1-0 loss to Montréal extends a six-game winless run that has turned the league’s most promising start into its most alarming stumble.
theoutfield.nyc
Really hoping people resonate with The Replacements like I do for the latest at @theoutfield.nyc. Looked into the loss to Montreal, how it fits into NYCFC’s nightmarish six-game winless stretch, and why Keanu Reeves describes it best. www.theoutfield.nyc/p/quicksand
Quicksand
NYCFC’s 1-0 loss to Montréal extends a six-game winless run that has turned the league’s most promising start into its most alarming stumble.
theoutfield.nyc
Brand-new podcast offering from us: The Blueprint, hosted by @thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social and @treyfillmore.bsky.social, which picks a single topic and dives deep on that topic The inaugural episode: an attempt to define the tactics and principles of Pascal Jansen Ball
The Blueprint: What is PascalBall?
In the inaugural episode of our new deep-dive podcast offering, we explore the philosophies and tactical principles that guide New York City FC coach Pascal Jansen as he sets up his teams.
nysoccerjournal.com
NYCFC and FC Cincinnati combined for eight goals with defensive ineptitude rather than attacking prowess. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc analyzed the matchup between two defenses trying to one up each other in the worst ways. www.theoutfield.nyc/p/nobody-won...
Nobody Won This Game
Both NYCFC and Cincinnati’s defense worked hard to lose this one.
theoutfield.nyc
NYCFC are struggling in the boxes in 2026 and their loss to Charlotte felt like a microcosm of that. I took a look at their seasonal trends in the penalty area and how a couple defensive lapses in/around the box cost them vs. Charlotte at @theoutfield.nyc!
outfield.nyc
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 4mo agoNYCFC's g+ differential in the penalty areas is the worst it's been since 2015. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc looks at how the Pigeons’ futility in the box has the team on a four-match winless streak. Read more here: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/whats-in-t...
Hello! Introductions are in order: We are your new source for the best in-depth coverage of soccer in New York, rising like a phoenix from the ashes of Hudson River Blue Get to know the New York Soccer Journal, and consider subscribing or donating to support our coverage
Introducing the New York Soccer Journal
Welcome to your new source for independent, in-depth coverage of soccer in New York.
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“For a player whose DP contract designation often gets more discussion than his defense, New York City is lucky to have him at any price.”
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 4mo agoThiago Martins didn’t make the trip with NYCFC to Vancouver and the Whitecaps dismantled everything he usually holds together. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc broke down the defensive collapse and why their captain is so important. theoutfield.substack.com/p/o-captain-...
Quantifying CB performance is super tough, but @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc makes it looks super easy to look past the DP tag to see how Thiago Martins ranks among the elite in MLS.
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 4mo agoThiago Martins didn’t make the trip with NYCFC to Vancouver and the Whitecaps dismantled everything he usually holds together. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc broke down the defensive collapse and why their captain is so important. theoutfield.substack.com/p/o-captain-...
Wrote some words at @theoutfield.nyc on Vancouver’s dominant performance vs. NYCFC and why (surprise, surprise) the Pigeons really need Thiago Martins.
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 4mo agoThiago Martins didn’t make the trip with NYCFC to Vancouver and the Whitecaps dismantled everything he usually holds together. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc broke down the defensive collapse and why their captain is so important. theoutfield.substack.com/p/o-captain-...
Looked into how approach to possession (or resilience to maintain it) changed by game state when writing on NYC vs STL for @theoutfield.nyc. Using avg. possession chain length as a proxy, the avg. change when leading by one goal in '25 was ~-15%, controlling each team's poss. at even game states.
In looking into the latest NYCFC game, came across some data that the Pigeons may alter their approach to possession more than most when leading by a goal in the Pascal Jansen era. They did so again vs. St. Louis and it cost them, read more words at @theoutfield.nyc!
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 4mo agoNYCFC dominated possession 58–42 for the majority of the match, then surrendered that advantage entirely in the final stretch and paid for it. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc breaks down why NYCFC didn't come away with three points against St. Louis City: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/puckered
Kevin Nelson from @theoutfield.nyc with some interesting data on protecting a lead with specific references to New York City FC vs St. Louis City SC. open.substack.com/pub/theoutfi... #NYCFC #MLS #VANvNYC #NYCvSTL
Puckered
New York City Football Club's possession collapse in the final half-hour cost them two points.
open.substack.com
Maxi Moralez (39 y.o.) and Leo Messi (38 y.o.) epitomized the “old man game” when they faced off last week. Just a couple of veteran Argentines controlling the game at half the speed as every one else on the field. Wrote words on their battle on @theoutfield.nyc
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 4mo agoIf NYCFC wants to be a contender this season in MLS, they have some more work to do. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc looks at what went right and what went wrong against Inter Miami and Messi. www.theoutfield.nyc/p/short-kings
Pascal Jansen showed his tactical flexibility vs. Colorado as NYCFC launched and squished their way to another victory. Deep dive into how they did so at @theoutfield.nyc
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 5mo agoNYCFC usually dominates possession, but last week the Pigeons surrendered nearly 60% of the ball & still won convincingly by pressing Colorado into submission. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc on how Pascal Jansen is one of MLS's most stylistically diverse managers: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/knock-your...
Keaton Parks is one of the best midfielders in MLS, but he essentially played striker vs. Orlando City. Here's 3+ minutes of Parks doing striker things, read more at theoutfield.substack.com/p/three-for-.... vimeo.com/1173366871?s...
vimeo.com
third in a row, @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc has yet another great recap out, always must read I’m very lucky not just to be able to break down X’s and O’s with guys post-match, but also have the privilege to experience chatting with KP after a brace given what he’s been through 👇
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 5mo agoThere is more to unpack from NYCFC's 5-0 win over Orlando than just bidding adieu to Óscar Pareja. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc looks at the analytics of red cards & how Pascal Jansen pushing Keaton Parks forward could solve problems for the strikerless Pigeons: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/three-for-...
Turns out it’s easier playing up a man. I wrote about how NYCFC took advantage of their third consecutive opponent red card, this time vs Orlando with some fun Keaton Parks striker stuff.
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 5mo agoThere is more to unpack from NYCFC's 5-0 win over Orlando than just bidding adieu to Óscar Pareja. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc looks at the analytics of red cards & how Pascal Jansen pushing Keaton Parks forward could solve problems for the strikerless Pigeons: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/three-for-...
Chris continues to be the undisputed voice for all NYCFC stadium news, always a must read.
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 5mo agoWith our baseball stadium nightmare almost over, @chriscampbell.theoutfield.nyc answers your Etihad Park stadium questions and talks: 🧱 Were you actually promised a brick? 🚢 Expanding ferry access to Willets Point 🗿Maxi Moralez statue location Read it here: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/and-the-le...
There was some good and there was some bad from NYCFC in dealing with the Union’s typical chaos. None of it may have mattered as much as referee Chris Penso though, I wrote about it all with @theoutfield.nyc.
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 5mo agoPhiladelphia dialed up the pressure and chaos. Chris Penso tried to be the main character. But it was NYCFC that came away with the three points. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc breaks down how here: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/into-the-c...
Galaxy RW Pec dropped into the backline whenever NYCFC LB O'Toole advanced up the wing. Rotating attackers into the space Pec vacated created gaps in the defense. Here are some examples, but NYC were unable to take advantage before LA could recover. More here: www.theoutfield.nyc/p/stuck-in-f...
I wrote some words on how the Galaxy gave NYCFC some gaps to attack out wide but the Pigeons were unable to capitalize. Some concerning signs from the attack highlight the importance of figuring out a solution at CF and getting a healthy Keaton Parks season.
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · 5mo agoGood News: Pigeons got a point on the road. Bad News: The attack had a very predictable striker-sized hole in the middle of the final third. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc breaks down NYCFC's season opener and why Pascal has more figuring out to do before Sunday. www.theoutfield.nyc/p/stuck-in-f...
Last week’s Montreal v. NYCFC game featured more tactical nuance than I was expecting. I wrote about the battle between acting head coaches Marco Donadel & Mehdi Ballouchy & how NYCFC struggled to find ways to defend Montreal’s inside fullbacks, w/ Dante Sealy as one of the primary beneficiaries.
The Outfield@theoutfield.nyc · last yr.NYCFC: unbeaten vs East playoff teams, but swept by last-place Montréal. @kevinnelson.theoutfield.nyc breaks down the latest loss—and how Donadel used inside fullbacks to outmaneuver #NYCFC. www.theoutfield.nyc/p/the-poutin...
The Outfield early-season mailbag just published! We answered questions on Pascal Jansen's tactics, how hopeful to be about Julian Fernandez/Agustin Ojeda, whether David Lee is full of crap, and more! www.theoutfield.nyc/p/pigeon-pos...
Pigeon Post: Hope, Hype, and Harsh Truths Edition
Pascal Jansen sharpens the system, raises standards, and gives the kids a real shot—but don’t start planning the parade.
theoutfield.nyc
Been impressed w/ the development of Justin Haak's passing profile, particularly as a CB. Been more on the ball, & advancing it more forward when he is. Vertical dist/pass 22: 2.04 23: 4.12 24: 5.26 25: 7.03 Touch % 22: 4.7% 23: 7.3% 24: 5.3% 25: 9.9% Data: @americansocceranalysis.com