2026 Schedule Thread

I expect Miami and LAFC really don't worry about us not having stars.

Jurassic Park Nobody Cares GIF

Messi and Son sell out stadiums, increase ticket revenue, and allow almost every team in the league to charge premium prices for the matches they play in. For a league focused on growth, revenue, and increasing franchise values, I would assume some around the league care. Every team that has a Son-level player on it essentially gives some of these smaller clubs that need the revenue a guaranteed sellout on their schedule.
 
Do you think the other teams ever get pissed at CFG, just mooching off their investments in big players, and yet, despite having the assets to bring in similar caliber players to help elevate the league, refusing to do so and acting like a poverty-stricken farm team dependent on a develop and sell model?
I've been thinking this one over a bit. In a way, haven't we been a poverty-stricken team (I won't say farm) on a develop and sell model? We're flush only if you look at us in the context of being part of the CFG network.

But standing on our own two feet, looking at our balance sheet in isolation, where do we stand then?

I know I keep harping on this, but I don't think we can overstate how enormous a change having our own stadium is going to mean. It changes everything. We certainly could be in the market for a Forsberg or a Son or a Müller in the 2028 summer transfer window. And arguably should be.

We also have the potential to develop stars of our own, which shouldn't be discounted. We have some great personalities and some budding stars coming up. The organization has made great strides in building community connection through the mini pitches and some other outreach initiatives. There's a lot we can do, and we have a lot to work with already.

The only thing we've really lacked to pull all the threads together is a home of our own, a base, a fixed location, a symbol of permanence. We're only just about to get truly established and get the same opportunities to operate the same way as so many other teams, especially big market teams, have operated for years. And we have the advantage of being in a fantastic market.

All that being said, if, two years from now, we're still doing the same things in the same way, I'm gonna be pissed. 🤬 LOL
 
Messi and Son sell out stadiums, increase ticket revenue, and allow almost every team in the league to charge premium prices for the matches they play in. For a league focused on growth, revenue, and increasing franchise values, I would assume some around the league care. Every team that has a Son-level player on it essentially gives some of these smaller clubs that need the revenue a guaranteed sellout on their schedule.
Who on these teams cares about NYCFC not signing stars? Not the coaches, players or anyone in the sporting department. Business side? Miami and LAFC already sell out regularly and Miami's ticket prices are already high across the board. Business side might appreciate an extra $x00k if they can bump ticket prices even a bit more for an NYC game, but do they really sit around saying NYCFC are bums because we don't give them that chance? Is that ever on their minds?

You think Beckham or Ares Management (or Will Ferrell lol) ever think at all about NYCFC's roster strategy and its effect on their bottom line? To the extent Beckham thinks about it at all, he likely thinks it's amusing that we don't do something so obviously worthwhile and effective, leaving more openings for him to exploit.

MLS central probably wishes we would raise the league profile. But Gerber knows he ushered CFG in to accomplish one thing and they're finally in the process of doing it.
KevinJRogers might be right that the stadium will unlock the spend. There's logic to that.

For me, I've never been enamored of the late career star approach. I'm still in favor of signing mid-20s guys who are not quite stars in Europe or LatAm stars who want reliable paychecks. Find the right ones, make them happy, keep them 5-8 years at their most productive. You won't make a profit but they can be acquired cheap for the same reason.

Also, for every Son or Messi/Busquets/Suarez there are a few fails including Matuidi, Insigne, Bernardeschi, Higuain, Costa, Shaquiri, Giroud, Reus, etc.
 
I'm still in favor of signing mid-20s guys who are not quite stars in Europe or LatAm stars who want reliable paychecks. Find the right ones, make them happy, keep them 5-8 years at their most productive. You won't make a profit but they can be acquired cheap for the same reason.
This is the way. Add in the occasional "name" player when it suits us and we'll be in good shape.
 
Can never have too many Saturday afternoon matches!


I realize they are merely re-posting the original schedule announcement from November 20, but the schedule graphic still says the LAFC game is in October. As I mentioned in another thread earlier today, the main schedule page on the club website as well as the graphic linked on that page also have the wrong info. The e-Calendar feeds are still wrong.
The only way to know that game has been moved is on the website front page, but if you access schedule info via a geed, web search or AI you will can wrong info directly from the club. Even if you check your AII response it will point you to the official schedule page, which is wrong. The front page will change soon, and then what?
 
I realize they are merely re-posting the original schedule announcement from November 20, but the schedule graphic still says the LAFC game is in October. As I mentioned in another thread earlier today, the main schedule page on the club website as well as the graphic linked on that page also have the wrong info. The e-Calendar feeds are still wrong.
The only way to know that game has been moved is on the website front page, but if you access schedule info via a geed, web search or AI you will can wrong info directly from the club. Even if you check your AII response it will point you to the official schedule page, which is wrong. The front page will change soon, and then what?

It's now changed on the schedule page.

Someone really does read this forum, don't they?
 
It's now changed on the schedule page.

Someone really does read this forum, don't they?
I also told them about it somewhat more directly.


But I do believe they scan the forum on occasion. Years back there were a few clear examples, though I don't remember specifics.
I have recent evidence that they do in fact read these pages.
I believe it.

ETA: They don't have an updated graphic linked on the schedule page yet. Maybe they're deciding on a font strategy.
 
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I also told them about it somewhat more directly.


But I do believe they scan the forum on occasion. Years back there were a few clear examples, though don't remember specifics.

I believe it.

ETA: They don't have an updated graphic linked on the schedule page yet. Maybe they're deciding on a font strategy.
The Intern has to do something...

They used to post on the Forums. Years ago.
 
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