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NYCFC vs Santos EN VIVO: Horario, TV y TODO sobre la Leagues Cup
NYCFC Kicks Off Leagues Cup: A Beginner’s Guide to What’s Happening
What’s Happening Right Now?
Imagine the soccer season is like a school year. The first half just finished, and now the second half has started. New York City FC (NYCFC)—nicknamed the Pigeons or the Boys in Blue—has had a pretty good start to this new half:
- Win #1: Beat Columbus Crew (on the road!)
- Win #2: Beat Chicago Fire FC
- Draw: Tied with Toronto FC last weekend
But now, a totally different tournament begins: the Leagues Cup. Think of it like a special summer cup competition where teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) (USA/Canada) play against teams from Liga MX (Mexico’s top league).
NYCFC will play their "Phase One" games over the next week and a half.
The First Match: NYCFC vs. Santos Laguna
When & Where
- Opponent: Club Santos Laguna (from Torreón, Mexico)
- Stadium: Sports Illustrated Stadium
- Location: Harrison, New Jersey (not New York City!)
The "Home" Game That Feels Away
IMPORTANT POINT:
All of NYCFC’s Leagues Cup games are in New Jersey. Even though it’s technically a "home game" for the Pigeons, very few NYCFC fans will likely be there. It’s debatable if they’ll have any real home-field advantage.
Why NYCFC Should Win (On Paper)
Santos Laguna has been struggling big time recently:
- They finished dead last in 3 out of the last 4 Liga MX tournaments.
- In Mexico, the year is split into two tournaments: Apertura (opening) and Clausura (closing).
- Over the last two years (4 tournaments total), Santos came in last place three times.
Translation: They’ve been having a really, really rough time.
But "Should Win" ≠ "Will Win"
Just because the stats say NYCFC is better doesn’t guarantee a victory. Proof: Last weekend against Toronto FC, NYCFC should have won but only managed a tie.
The Leagues Cup Twist: No Ties Allowed!
In this tournament, if the game is tied after 90 minutes, it goes straight to a penalty shootout. No extra time.
To advance to the knockout rounds (the final 8), NYCFC probably needs to beat Santos convincingly. Only the top 4 teams from MLS and top 4 from Liga MX make it to the quarterfinals.
The Big Challenge: Injuries & Priorities
NYCFC has a lot of injured players right now. Because of this, their coach Pascal Jansen might decide not to prioritize this tournament. He might rest key players to focus on the regular MLS season.
How to Watch & Follow
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Radio (English) | newyorkcityfc.com/radio or the NYCFC App |
| In Person | You must go to New Jersey (Sports Illustrated Stadium) |
| Live Text Updates | MLS Soccer timeline & NYCFC’s X (Twitter) account |
| Social Media Updates | NYCFC Facebook page (occasional updates) |
Step-by-Step: Can’t Watch Live? Do This:
- Open the NYCFC App or go to
newyorkcityfc.com/radiofor live audio. - Follow @NYCFC on X (Twitter) for play-by-play text updates.
- Check the MLS Soccer website/app for official match timeline.
- Look at NYCFC’s Facebook for post-match highlights & news.
Lesson from Last Year: Don’t Underestimate Anyone!
IMPORTANT POINT:
Last year in the Leagues Cup, NYCFC lost to Club Puebla—a team they were supposed to beat on paper.
The takeaway: If NYCFC truly wants to compete in this tournament, they must treat Santos Laguna with the same respect they’d give powerhouses like Inter Miami CF or Nashville SC.
Summary
- NYCFC starts Leagues Cup Phase One vs. Santos Laguna in New Jersey.
- Santos has been terrible recently (last place in 3 of 4 Mexican tournaments).
- But: NYCFC has many injuries, and coach Jansen may not prioritize this cup.
- No ties allowed—draws go straight to penalties.
- Only top 4 from each league reach quarterfinals.
- Fans: Games in NJ, radio on NYCFC app, live text on X/Twitter & MLS site.
- Warning: Last year they lost to a "beatable" team (Puebla)—don’t overlook Santos!
FAQ
1. What is the Leagues Cup?
It’s an annual tournament where all MLS teams (USA/Canada) play all Liga MX teams (Mexico). It happens during the regular season.
2. Why are NYCFC’s "home" games in New Jersey?
Their usual stadium (Yankee Stadium) isn’t available, so they’re using Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ, which is where their reserve team (NYCFC II) plays.
3. What happens if the game ends in a tie?
Straight to penalty shootout. No overtime. Winner gets 2 points, loser gets 1 point in the group standings.
4. Why might coach Pascal Jansen not prioritize this tournament?
NYCFC has many injured players. He may rotate the squad heavily or play younger players to keep stars healthy for the MLS regular season, which determines playoff spots.
5. How can I listen to the game for free?
Go to newyorkcityfc.com/radio or download the official NYCFC app—both offer free live English radio broadcasts.
