How NYCFC internationals fared on national team duty

It was a busy international break for New York City FC players.

Eight players on First Team contracts (plus one very notable NYCFC alumnus) received call-ups from their countries for the September window, and some featured in matches of significance.

The youthful nature of this current New York City squad, which on average remains the youngest squad in Major League Soccer, means six of these call-ups were for non-senior international games.

Some of the international players we'll discuss below played friendlies, while others tried to help their countries progress in qualifying for the European Championships or for the 2026 World Cup.

It's not quite a New York City MLS recap, but read on for updates on all the NYCFC internationals, present and in one case past, who were busy representing their countries over the international break.

Alonso Martínez, who might be the most clinical finisher in NYCFC history, started at striker and went 63 minutes for Costa Rica in a 3-0 victory over Guadalupe in a Concacaf Nations League group-stage match on September 5.

This was Martínez's first action with Costa Rica since March 29, 2023, and his 15th appearance for his country overall, though the first since he's been a New York City player.

It wasn't his best showing, as he missed the target with both his shot attempts and failed to convert his one "big chance," graded by FotMob as a 6.7 for his performance in the win at Estadio Nacional in San José. El Clínico didn't get another chance to show his stuff for Costa Rica, as he was an unused substitute in their 0-0 draw with Guatemala on the road on September 9.

Mitja Ilenič started and went the full 90 minutes twice for the Slovenia U-21 squad as it marches toward qualification for the 2025 U-21 European Championships. The New York City fullback played a part in a crucial 1-1 draw away against France held in the Stade Raymond Kopa in Angers on September 6, then helped his team keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 home victory over Cyprus on September 10. Ilenič has been a fixture with Slovenia since joining New York City in January 2023, even earning his first cap from the senior squad in a friendly against the United States (and NYCFC teammate James Sands) in January at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas.

Jovan Mijatović was productive with Serbia's U-21s in the same competition as Mitja Ilenič—U-21 Euros qualification. The 19-year-old striker started in a qualifying loss to Ukraine's U-21s held in Latvia on September 6, then started again and scored in the Serbia U-21's win on the road over Azerbaijan U-21. The goal is a nice display of technical skill and calm in front of goal from the 19-year-old. Mijatović will look to bring this to his league appearances, as he's still looking for a first MLS goal with one Leagues Cup goal in his 13 total New York City appearances to date.

Jovan Mijatović might be in a less fortunate situation right now, but there's too much football and character in this kid for him not to make it.

His goal catalogue at 19 is also highly impressive. Another one added to the list today. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/jsjYNlmiMO

— Serbian Football Scout (@SerbFootyScout) September 10, 2024

Christian McFarlane's stint with the England U-18 squad only featured 13 minutes of game time. The 17-year-old fullback came on as a 77th-minute substitute in the opening match of the England U-18's Lafarge International Tournament experience, which saw them play three matches in France. McFarlane was involved for the final 13 minutes of a 2-2 draw with Portugal, but saw zero minutes in either subsequent England U-18 match in France, 1-1 draws with both Switzerland and France. Might there be an injury concern lingering over New York City's left-back prodigy reportedly ticketed for a move to Manchester City?

How Randall’s Island fits into the NYCFC puzzle

Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island is back to hosting professional soccer: Here’s how New York City FC, NYCFC II, and visiting international teams could make use of the upgraded facility.

Hudson River BlueAndrew Leigh

Tomás Romero earned a start in goal for El Salvador in a match of consequence, going the full 90 minutes in a 4-1 win on the road against Montserrat in Concacaf Nations League group stage action. Romero had appeared in three international friendlies played by El Salvador this year, but his last competitive appearance for his country came on October 18, 2023, also in Concacaf Nations League group play. At club level this season, Romero has made seven appearances for New York City FC II, with the majority coming in the 2024 US Open Cup. The 23-year-old originally from Cherry Hill, New Jersey was in goal for four of NYCFC II's five US Open Cup matches, and in his career so far he's now up to 16 total appearances for El Salvador.

Máximo Carrizo, NYCFC's highly-touted 16-year-old Homegrown attacking midfielder, captained the United States U-17 squad in its opening match at the Vaclav Jezek Tournament in Mikulov, Czechia, a 1-0 loss to Germany on September 4. This tournament marks the second time Carrizo represented the United States at the youth level in 2024, as the attacking midfielder also played for the United States U-16 team during a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina for friendlies against Uruguay on May 27 and Argentina on May 30.

This month's Vaclav Jezek Tournament gave Carrizo a chance to play alongside another hyped-up American teenager, Philadelphia Union prospect Cavan Sullivan (who by the way is already signed and set to join Manchester City). Carrizo drew positive reviews for his performance in Czechia and was already back in action for New York City FC II in their second and final (planned) match at Icahn Stadium on September 11.

New font, who dis? New York City FC’s updated badge

Some thoughts on New York City Football Club’s updated badge.

Hudson River BlueOliver Strand

Jonathan Shore and Drew Baiera, regulars with NYCFC II who are each signed to Homegrown contracts with the New York City First Team, are currently with the United States U-18 squad that's to play three friendlies in Japan from September 12-16. The United States U-18s play a local Niigata Select team on September 12, then face Japan on September 14 before closing out their tournament against Peru on September 16. 

Taty Castellanos is an ex-New York City player but he might have had the most consequential international break, as the current S.S. Lazio striker made his senior debut with the Argentina national team.

Castellanos continues to hit milestones in his post-New York City career, entering the action for his country during a 3-0 home win over Chile in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. This was Taty's first call-up from Lionel Scaloni and the full, World Cup and Copa América-winning Argentina squad. While he only entered play in the 89th minute and didn't have a part to play in any of the three goals, Castellanos making his senior debut is hugely significant.

While Argentina has top-level options at striker—Lautaro Martinez of Inter, Julián Alvarez of Atlético Madrid to name two—Taty still got a look and got a chance to get his feet wet on the biggest Argentine stage possible. It's a baby step toward possibly getting more chances during World Cup qualifying, especially if Taty can maintain the good form he's currently in at club level with Lazio: Castellanos has goals in two of Lazio's first three Serie A matches of the 2024-2025 season.