HRB Roundtable: What we thought of Leagues Cup Phase One
Leagues Cup Phase One is in the books: New York City FC is out, Deportivo Toluca is top of the Liga MX table, and we have some opinions to share about what went down these past 10 days.
Andrew Leigh
Andrew is the Executive Editor of Hudson River Blue. He has been working in digital and social media since 2008.
Queens, NY
NYCFC-Columbus match postponed due to Citi Field grass issues
How Blackpink concerts, sod installations, and extreme heat all teamed up to force New York City FC to postpone their meeting with Columbus Crew.
New York City 1-2 Toluca: 4 Thoughts
New York City FC crashed out of Leagues Cup as they lost 2-1 to Deportivo Toluca FC at Yankee Stadium despite an early strike from Alonso Martínez.
New York City vs León player ratings
Four New York City FC players rated at or above 8.0 while it was an extremely close race for Player of the Match between the team's star striker and goalkeeper.
Mounsef Bakrar departs NYCFC to join Dinamo Zagreb
The striker heads back to Croatia and signs with Dinamo Zagreb after scoring a total of 10 goals for New York City FC in all competitions across parts of three seasons.
NYCFC soundly beaten by Puebla in deflating Leagues Cup opener
A rotated New York City FC lineup was second-best all night long at Sports Illustrated Stadium, losing 3-0 to Club Puebla and putting NYCFC's Leagues Cup hopes on life support.
Hat trick heroics earn Alonso Martínez MLS Player of the Matchday
Alonso Martínez becomes the first NYCFC player to win MLS Player of the Matchday since the last time he won it back in September 2024. Plus: Maxi Moralez earns a spot in Team of the Matchday.
New York City 4-3 Dallas: 4 Thoughts
New York City FC heads into Leagues Cup with the momentum of a wild 4-3 win in Dallas and a three-match unbeaten run to close out their longest road trip of the season.
Lionel Messi runs rampant against Red Bulls in latest Player of the Matchday performance
Lionel Messi wins MLS Player of the Matchday for a fifth time this season for his huge performance at Sports Illustrated Stadium in a 5-1 away blowout.
One goal not enough as NYCFC settles for draw with Kansas City
A winnable road match turned into a slightly disappointing draw as Andrés Perea's picture-perfect opening goal got canceled out by a late equalizer in a 1-1 tie at Children's Mercy Park.
Albert Rusnák bangers not enough for either Player of the Matchday, a Seattle win
The Seattle Sounders playmaker scored twice and assisted once in a 3-3 draw, earning our vote for PotM. Plus: Matt Freese of NYCFC starts in the MLS Team of the Matchday.
New York City 2-1 Orlando: 4 Thoughts
New York City FC earned its most dramatic win of the 2025 season to date by surviving a tough first half and getting two late clutch goals to get a second road win of the season.
All Lionel Messi does is score braces and win Player of the Matchday
Lionel Messi made the most of a two-match week by posting his fourth and fifth consecutive two-goal games in MLS play, earning yet another Player of the Matchday honor.
New York City vs Charlotte player ratings
More of the same for New York City FC on the road, as your player ratings weren't fond of the loss in Charlotte with the team's highest-rated player only pulling in a 5.8 rating.
FIFA Club World Cup Semifinal Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid
It's a glitzy semifinal between two of the biggest club teams on the planet, but which team is best set up to prevail and play Chelsea in the final? Five things to know ahead of PSG vs Real Madrid.
Late road magic from Ezequiel Ponce helps Houston snap San Diego winning streak
Why this MLS Player of the Matchday vote went to Houston Dynamo FC's Argentine No 10, not Lionel Messi, who won the actual award. Plus: Two NYCFC players earn starting spots in Team of the Matchday.