The MLS Eastern Conference is a competitive arena, and one team that climbed toward the top over its early years is New York City FC. Based in New York City, the club quickly established itself as a side to be reckoned with in the East.
With a dynamic, exciting style, NYCFC captured plenty of fans, and their performances on the field were often thrilling to watch.
History of NEW YORK CITY FC: Founded in 2013
New York City FC was founded in 2013 as the 20th team in Major League Soccer. They began playing in the 2015 season, opening on March 8, 2015 against Orlando City SC in Florida. The team struggled in its first season, then reached the playoffs for the first time in 2016 under coach Patrick Vieira.
Since then the club has made regular playoff appearances and stayed a consistent presence in the Eastern Conference.
Who WAS THE FOUNDER OF New York City FC?
New York City FC was founded in 2013 by the City Football Group (CFG) and the New York Yankees. CFG is a holding company that owns Manchester City F.C. and several other soccer businesses.
The City Football Group (CFG) is a multinational holding company managing clubs worldwide, with ownership stakes across the United States, Australia, India, Japan, Spain, Uruguay, China, Belgium, and France. As of the 2022/23 season, CFG comprised three entities: a 78% majority owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, 10% by Silver Lake, and 12% by China Media Capital and CITIC Capital.
CEO OF New York City FC AS OF THE 2022/23 SEASON: BRAD SIMS
Back in 2018 New York City FC announced that Brad Sims would join as Chief Executive Officer from January 2019, in time for the coming MLS season. In the role Sims oversaw the organization and led the front office, building on the club's first four years. As of the 2022/23 season, he was still in that seat.
Sims brought plenty of experience, having spent six years with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was Executive Vice President of Franchise Operations and Chief Revenue Officer.
His leadership and management were valuable assets as the club pushed to grow.
FANS AND CULTURE OF NEW YORK CITY FC
NYCFC fans, known as The Third Rail, are known for their passion. They are dedicated and enthusiastic, turning out in numbers to back the team at home games at Yankee Stadium.
The club is known for a lively, electric atmosphere, with a range of chants and songs that lift the noise through a match.
The culture is built on a deep feeling for the game and a strong sense of community. The club puts real emphasis on representing the city of New York and its diverse communities through events, clinics, and programs, and on promoting inclusivity within the team and its fanbase.
STADIUM OF NEW YORK CITY FC: YANKEE STADIUM
The home of NYCFC has been the renowned Yankee Stadium, in the Bronx, New York. It has hosted the team since its 2015 debut season and seats around 53,000. It is also home to the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.
The design is a modern take on the original Yankee Stadium, mixing classic and contemporary elements into a distinctive venue. Fans get luxury suites, plenty of food and drink options, and up-to-date technology on match day.
The atmosphere is electric, with passionate fans building real intensity through a match.
The stadium has become a fortress and a genuine home advantage. Playing a soccer match on a baseball diamond is an odd experience, and I say that having turned out on a few makeshift pitches myself, but the crowd makes it feel like home for the players.
Q: What is the name of New York City FC's stadium?
Ans: New York City FC plays its home games at Yankee Stadium, a mix of classic and contemporary elements that makes it a distinctive venue.
SPORTING RIVALRIES OF NEW YORK CITY FC
NYCFC has a few notable rivalries in MLS. The main one is with the New York Red Bulls. The two contest the Hudson River Derby for local bragging rights and the title of the best team in New York.
That rivalry is intense and passionate, with both sets of fans desperate to come out on top.
Another rivalry is with Atlanta United, contested as the City Derby for the best team on the East Coast. The matches are always highly anticipated. Toronto FC is also considered a rival, with those games known as the 401 Derby and typically hard-fought.
Q: Who are the biggest rivals of New York City FC?
Ans: New York Red Bulls are considered the biggest rivals of New York City FC in MLS.
New York City FC Key Individuals
NOTABLE PLAYERS IN THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY FC
NYCFC has had a number of notable players, including David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard, Maxi Moralez, Alex Ring, and Ronald Matarrita. Each brought a distinct set of qualities, and together they made NYCFC a difficult side to play against in the Eastern Conference. Pirlo in particular was a joy to watch dictate a game from deep, right to the end of his career.
BEST MANAGER IN THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY FC
NYCFC has been managed by some big names in Patrick Vieira and Frank Lampard. Picking the best is subjective, but one of the most successful in the club's history is Dome Torrent.
He joined in 2018 and made an instant impact, leading the team to its first-ever domestic treble: the regular season, the U.S. Open Cup, and the Eastern Conference.
He also took the team to the playoffs in two consecutive seasons. Torrent posted a 51% winning percentage, the best in the club's history at the time, playing an attractive brand of soccer that made him popular with fans.
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New York City FC Record Breakers
ALL-TIME TOP SCORERS OF NEW YORK City FC
Spanish international and World Cup winner David Villa sits top after just 126 games, at a goal ratio of 0.63 per game. The most appearances on this list, 194, belong to Maximiliano Moralez.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF GOALS SCORED |
|---|---|
| David Villa | 80 |
| Valentin Castellanos | 59 |
| Maximiliano Moralez | 35 |
| Ismael Tajouri-Shradi | 29 |
| Heber | 27 |
Q: Who has the most goals in New York City FC's history?
Ans: David Villa has scored the most goals in New York City FC's history.
TOP ASSIST PROVIDERS OF NEW YORK City FC in history
Argentina international Maximiliano Moralez has the most assists for the club after 194 appearances, while Uruguayan Taty Castellanos and others sit further down the list.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF ASSISTS |
| Maximiliano Moralez | 60 |
| Taty Castellanos | 24 |
| Anton Tinnerholm | 23 |
| David Villa | 21 |
| Santiago Rodriguez | 16 |
Q: Which player has the most assists in New York City FC's history?
Ans: Maximiliano Moralez has the most assists in New York City FC's history.
ALL-TIME TOP APPEARANCES OF NEW YORK FC
Sean Johnson tops the all-time appearance list, having kept goal for the club for six years and won an MLS Cup in the Bronx before moving on.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF APPEARANCES |
| Sean Johnson | 206 |
| Maximiliano Moralez | 194 |
| Alexander Callens | 193 |
| Maxime Chanot | 176 |
| David Villa | 126 |
MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFERS IN THE HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK FC
Alexandru Mitrita, an attacking midfielder and winger, was the club's record signing in this list at the time.
| NAME | CLUB FROM | CLUB TO | TRANSFER SEASON | TRANSFER AMOUNT |
| Alexandru Mitrita | Universitatea Craiova | New York FC | January 2019 | $9 million |
| Jack Harrison | New York FC | Manchester City | January 2018 | $6 million |
| Joseph Michael Scally | New York FC | Borussia Mönchengladbach | January 2018 | $2 million |
| Malte Meineche Amundsen | Vejle Boldklub | New York FC | February 2021 | $1.6 million |
New York City FC: The Live Picture
These records span the club's first years, but the squad keeps changing. For live squad ratings, fixtures and transfer news, visit our New York City FC club page to see who is representing the Bronx today.
CONCLUSION: OVERVIEW OF NEW YORK CITY FC'S LEGACY
New York City FC is a relatively young MLS side, founded in 2013. Despite that short history, NYCFC has made large strides in American soccer.
Their success on the field is the proof. The club is committed to developing local talent through its youth academy and giving those players a route to the first team. NYCFC has built a rich legacy in a short span, and it is only looking to add to it.