Opinion: New York City — The World's Most Dysfunctional Soccer City

By: Anthony Tazbaz

Image Credit: Nick Fewings

This city is known for many things, from multiculturalism to hip-hop music. However, it is not known to be a strong soccer city. In fact, it is known for quite literally the opposite.

As the 2023-24 MLS Regular Season comes to a close, we have never seen both New York clubs simultaneously fight for a playoff spot. Either club can still qualify.

If so, their opponents (if they need to make the commute); will not look forward to playing in the Big Apple, as has been the case since both New York clubs entered the league.

A Deeper Look

Both New York City FC (NYCFC) and New York Red Bulls (RBNY) currently sit in ninth and eleventh place, respectively — only three points split between the two. Given the current standings and the fact that both New York clubs seem to be the only ones in winning form amongst Eastern Conference clubs fighting for a playoff spot, there could be a strong possibility to see one, if not both, New York teams in the playoffs.

Bronx Blues

Currently sitting in the final playoff position with 37 points — tied with CF Montréal, but played one more match — NYCFC may be hosting a club in the best-of-three series in the second round (after the wildcard round between 8th and 9th place) in the Yankee Stadium, yes the Yankee Stadium. Many players, and fans alike, are not fond of playing in a field comprising smaller dimensions than other MLS venues. (source)

This is not a good look for the MLS and the club, which is owned by City Football Group, the very same owners of Manchester City, Girona FC, and Australia's Sydney City.

Worse, with the New York Yankees also playing in the fall, several NYCFC matches need to be moved to other stadiums. For instance, we had to witness Gonzalo Higuaín's final match of his career played at Citi Field, the New York Mets' stadium.

Even though an MLS Cup Playoffs match had to be moved to another baseball stadium, those who saw the match noticed the incredibly poor condition of the field. There were many patches missing grass and at times, you would have trouble finding the touch lines.

Another example was seen last weekend, where New York City FC's afternoon match against Toronto FC scheduled for Saturday, September 23 at Red Bull Arena — in New Jersey — had to be moved to Sunday in the early afternoon due to a water main break. Given the last minute change of venue and time, there were barely any supporters present, despite NYCFC going all in to qualify for the playoffs.

This by no means is a jab at the fanbase, who include many loyal supporters who regularly travel to watch their club play. This is a direct shot at the club, Major League Soccer, and even the city of New York for the lack of progress in securing a permanent stadium.

Red Bull….

Although we can rightly criticize NYCFC for their baseball stadium and their historic lack of progress in finding a home, the club at least plays in the state of New York and makes an effort to live up to their brand name. RBNY should be called RBNJ (Red Bull New Jersey) due to their home, Red Bull Arena, located in Harrison, New Jersey.

Sitting three points out of a playoff spot occupied by the Hudson River rivals, RBNY will play two more matches in Red Bull Arena, named after the club's ownership. If you heard of Red Bull Salzburg or RB Leipzig, then you can connect the dots to realize they all fall under the same ownership, and have close relations with each other.

Unlike Salzburg and Leipzig, RBNY lack the same degree of success. Despite typically performing well in the regular season, including Supporters' Shield titles in 2015 and 2018, the club has yet to win an MLS Cup. Instead, they tend to lose in infamous fashion, whether it is against an far lower seeded club or due to a pitiful performance, including last season on home turf against FC Cincinnati, who appeared in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in their four-year history. Now, they find themselves as an outsider.

Player Development

For a city the size of New York, there are not that many players to have made it to Europe and the USMNT. Although RBNY focus far more on player development than their Big Apple counterparts, only Tyler Adams took his game to the next level by signing with RB Leipzig in 2019 and regularly featuring on the starting XI with the USMNT.

During the MetroStars era, which preceded RBNY, many former USMNT players such as Jozy Altidore (early RBNY days), Tim Howard, Michael Bradley — all of whom actually grew up in New Jersey — made their fortunes and took the next step to sign for prestigious European clubs.

NYCFC instead focus primarily on international talent to export them to their other clubs. With the exception of USMNT's Gio Reyna briefly evolving through the academy ranks, the club has not produced any player with significantly enough talent to breakout in MLS or receive a call-up for the USMNT.

Bottom Line

Ultimately, you would think that clubs under the ownership of City Football Group and Red Bull. NYCFC may have found a home. In May, the club released the renderings for its plans to build a soccer-specific stadium in Queens. The project will cost around USD$ 780 million for a 25,000-seat stadium. This could be interesting, considering the club's nickname: Bronx Blues. However, nothing is guaranteed as their had been previous projects getting rejected in the early stages.

If the club was not under the ownership of City Football Group, the club would be have been moved out of New York years ago.

Nearing the end of their ninth season, you would hope that a club owned by the defending UEFA Champions League winners can soon play in a soccer-specific stadium in a major global city. What fans can brag about, however, is their 2021 MLS Cup triumph. It certainly pays to have wealthy ownership.

RBNY at least have a state-of-the-art venue to play in. However, playing in New Jersey will always feel weird. The clubs certainly uses the New York name for marketing purposes, which attracted the likes of Thierry Henry, Rafael Márquez, and Australian legend Tim Cahill. It also doesn't seem too much of a problem in the NFL, where both the New York Jets and New York Giants play in the METLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

However, RBNY's lack of postseason success will always bring the club down from a fan perspective. It also seems that they are not in contention for an MLS Cup anytime soon.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than three years away and New York being one of the host cities, you would hope that New York can at least boast a soccer-specific stadium. Although matches will be played at the MetLife Stadium, securing a stadium in New York (not New Jersey), will boost the city's appeal.

Having previously attracted talent to RBNY; the likes of David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, and Frank Lampard to NYCFC; and legends such as Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto, and Raúl to the New York Cosmos, New York once again has the potential to lift U.S. soccer to new heights.

For now, NYC remains football/soccer's most dysfunctional city.

Comment down below if you can think of any other dysfunction football city.