NYCFC New York’s Newest Team, May Take MLS by Storm this Summer. Just Ask the Chicago Fire

New York City Football Club, the newest professional sports team in New York. They are owned by two of the richest franchises in sports world wide, Manchester City of England’s Premier league and The New York Yankees. They play their matches in the Bronx at, you guessed it, Yankee Stadium. 

They started the season with a bang by winning their first home game at Yankee Stadium. Soccer legend and current superstar of the Blue and White David Villa scored the first goal ever for the club. Besides that they haven’t won any other games. Their current record is 1-6-4. They are currently stuck in an eight-game winless streak. They have given away a lot of hard fought games late.

Photo Credit : (Adam Hunger/USA Today Sports)

After losing the first Hudson River Rivalry to their rivals in New Jersey the Red Bulls, they were set to play the Chicago Fire on Friday. The crowd was loud and the match started. No longer than 14 minutes later Razvan Cocis scored off a free kick to make it 1-0. In the 27th minute, rookie RJ Allen received a red card for his slide tackle in the box. The penalty was made and NYCFC now was down to only ten men and were trailing 2-0. Even the always energetic supporter section Third Rail was dumbfounded for a few minutes. The outlook was very bleak, they were dead in the water, OR WERE THEY?

As the first half went on, it looked a little like NYC was just going through the motions waiting for the ref to blow the whistle to end the half. Only one person looked to have life. Spain’s David Villa, the captain, was playing hard and trying to get his team going. You could see how hard he wanted to fight back. Finally right as the half was winding down, Villa had a run with some great dribbling and let a shot rip from 25 yards out. Off the rebound Ballouchy, the teams leader in goals, put the shot in the back of the net after he was clearly fouled. Walking off the field Villa received a yellow for not letting this one go. This may have been the turning point not only of the game but the year.

The second half started and NYCFC looked like a totally different team. They were all alive and attacking. Mix Diskerud who had struggled to that point looked like a maniac in the second half, playing box to box. Villa kept his hard play going and the team was definitely feeding off of it. The team slowed down a bit, looking tired. NYC’s manager Jason Kreis decided to put in super Rookie Khiry Shelton. The game surged on both team trading blows. In the 92^nd minute NYCFC finally broke through to tie the game. Villa kept a ball alive and managed to get the ball through to Shelton who put it away and Pandemonium had taken over Yankee stadium. The game would end shortly after.

Yes it was a draw and yes it doesn’t snap the winless streak but this was a huge game. You are probably asking yourself, “Why is a draw a big deal?” Well this team had play hard in almost every game and the results didn’t show. They were starved for some excitement. They were a man down and dominated. This team now should have a much different outlook on the season. With a crazy loyal fan base and the Third Raill keeping the crowd involved throughout the games it will be hard to win at Yankee stadium. The team has Frank Lampard, England Legend, coming over in July and one of their Designated Player spots open (one of the MLS stupid cap restriction rules that could be explained here: http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations ) 

PHOTO CREDIT: NYCFC.COM

The season is still young and the US Open Cup has yet to begin, this team has room to improve and grow. With a young team and a Roster that will improve we will see a new team and hopefully a playoff run in their future. 

Why Brett Gardner Should Be the New Face of the Yankees

During Derek Jeter‘s career, he was the undisputed face of the New York Yankees. He was “The Captain," he was a leader and he was a respected player around baseball. But with Jeter retiring, the Yankees need someone to represent the team. That player should be Brett Gardner.

He has spent his entire eight-year career with the Yankees. Gardner did exhibit leadership qualities while Jeter was out for the 2013 season and did so again even with Jeter on the team last year. 

Image Credit: usatoday.com

The New York Yankees produced the third worst offense in the American League last season, but Brett Gardner was not a part of the problem, at least not until August. Gardner enjoyed one of his better overall statistical seasons in the Bronx and solidified his place atop the Yankees batting order with an amazing first four months. 

This season Gardner, who's signed through 2018 and coming off abdominal surgery, will start the year in left and likely lead off. Last year he popped 17 home runs while his average dropped nearly 20 points from 2013. Will the power surge continue? Sure, the Yankees will take 17 home runs again, but if he can steal bases like its 2011 and get on base at a higher rate than last year (.327 on-base percentage, a career-low), well, the home runs can shrink in the name of more production elsewhere.

A .265/.340/.415 line with 50+ extra-base hits is not out of the range of possibilities given a full season of plate appearances. There is still plenty of upside in Gardner’s abilities at the plate. Gardner’s importance to the lineup cannot be understated. The Yankees offensive success starts at the top with Gardner leading the way. Further, much like Ellsbury, Gardner might need to be at the top of his game for an entire season to make up for the possibility that the aging middle of the lineup cannot turn things around as hoped.

Homegrown players have an obvious financial impact on a baseball team, and successful player development is surely the easiest way to build a roster without having to enter the murky waters of free agency. But beyond all that, homegrown players who stick around build common ground with the fan base. They create an easy connection. They spark loyalty.

Christine O'Connor

Willie Randolph, Bernie Williams, and Half of the Core Four to be Honored at Monument Park

The Yankees announced today that they will retire the uniform numbers of Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte in pregame ceremonies at Yankee Stadium this season.

Image Credit: nydailynews.com

Willie Randolph, a member of the Yankees' 1977 and 1978 world championship team, a former Yankees' co-captain and was a coach for 11 seasons, will also be honored with a plaque in Monument Park. Randolph played 18 Major League seasons (12 with the Yankees) where he hit a career .276/.373/.351 with 54 HR’s and 687 RBI’s.

Image Credit: foxsports.com

Bernie Williams, who played center field for the team that won the World Series four times in five seasons between 1996 and 2000, will be honored on May 24 before a Sunday night game against the Texas Rangers. Williams played his entire 16-year career with the Yankees, hitting .297 in 2,076 games, and is fifth in franchise history with 2,336 hits. He is the club leader with 22 postseason home runs and 80 postseason RBIs.

Jorge Posada also played on four Yankees championship teams, including the 2009 team that beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. (He appeared in eight games for the '96 team but didn't play in the postseason.) Posada played his entire 17-year career with the Yankees, hitting .273 in 1,829 games. He is second all time with 125 postseason games. He will be honored on Aug. 22 before a Saturday afternoon game against the Cleveland Indians.

Andy Pettitte finished his career with a 256-153 record and 3.85 ERA. He has won more games (19) than anyone else in playoff history. His postseason ERA is 3.81 in 276 2/3 innings. Pettitte, a member of five Yankees world championship teams, will be honored on Aug. 23.

Their numbers join those of Billy Martin (1), Babe Ruth (3), Lou Gehrig (4), Joe DiMaggio (5), Joe Torre (6), Mickey Mantle (7), Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey (8), Roger Maris (9), Phil Rizzuto (10), Thurman Munson (15), Whitey Ford (16), Don Mattingly (23), Elston Howard (32), Casey Stengel (37), Mariano Rivera (42), Reggie Jackson (44) and Ron Guidry (49).

Article by: Christine O'Connor

Twitter: @ChristineeeeO

Alex Rodriguez Says Sorry

In a hour and a half meeting at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, Alex Rodriguez apologized to New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and team executives for his suspension for performance-enhancing drug use and the inappropriate behavior he exhibited in attempt to defend himself. 

A joint statement was issued on behalf of four key Yankees executives as well as Rodriguez and his legal counsel.

Image Credit: hellogiggles.com

"Today we held a meeting at Yankee Stadium between Hal Steinbrenner, Randy Levine, Brian Cashman, Jean Afterman, Alex Rodriguez and (legal counsel) Jim Sharp," the statement read. "Alex initiated the meeting and apologized to the organization for his actions over the past several years."

A-Rod was suspended without pay for the entire 2014 season for his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The suspension was ultimately reduced to 162 games, or the length of a complete baseball season.

A-Rod was then was out of the spotlight. He appeared at a couple of sporting events and took to social media a couple of times, but he remained quiet. Rodriguez dropped his lawsuits against the players' union and the Yankees' medical staff. He stopped giving obnoxious interviews proclaiming his innocence in the wake of a massive investigation that found him guilty of using performance enhancing drugs from the Biogenesis clinic in Miami.

Yankees pitchers and catchers must report for spring training in Tampa on Feb. 20, and position players such as Rodriguez have a reporting date of Feb. 26. The Yankees reportedly told the 20-year veteran to schedule a press conference before then, in order to clear the air as much as possible before re-joining the team.

The Yankees owe Rodriguez $61 million over the next three seasons, not counting the potential home run bonus money. They signed Chase Headley for four years and $52 million to play Rodriguez's position of third base. The general idea is that A-Rod will be the DH if he shows that he can still keep up with fastballs at 40 years old. 

Some of Rodriguez's teammates such as Ivan Nova and Dellin Betances have spoken out and showed their support for the fellow Yankee. If his teammates can support him, Yankees fans should be able to rally behind him, especially after a season with such an offensive struggle. A-Rod wants to prove himself and earn those home run bonuses. The Yankees organization should support him and keep the incentives on the table in order to boost the offense. 

"He's going to be there (in spring training)," Hal Steinbrenner said during last month's owners' meetings. "And if Alex is Alex, he'll show up in shape; he always does. There certainly are some unknowns for all of us, including him. His age. Two surgeries. We'll just have to see. He'll be there, but the situation is the situation. We just need to concentrate on keeping him healthy, and he needs to concentrate on staying healthy, and we'll go from there."

If A-Rod sees support from Yankees fans, teammates and the organization, that might be the motivation he needs to get back to his old ways.

 #FORG1V3

Article by: Christine O'Connor

Twitter: @ChristineeeeO

The Captain Derek Jeter, "Walks Off" With His Final RBI Walkoff Win EVER at Yankee Stadium, Before Closing Out His Final Game EVER in Style, at Fenway Park.

by: Dana P. (E.I.C.)

September 25th, 2014 was probably one of the most painful, heartbreaking days, any TRUE Yankee fan has come to experience. Watching our captain hang up the hat, at his last game EVER played at Yankee Stadium, just truly is so hard to put into words. We all knew for a while that this day was coming, but I didn't let it hit me in full force until Thursday night. 

The first set of tears ran down my face while John and Suzyn were talking during the pregame on WFAN; then watching Jeter walk out on the field in the first inning for the last time, is when it got me even more. But it hit me even harder in the 9th.....I broke down.

No one knew how the game would end. We didn't know if he was going to be pulled off the field in the 7th, 8th, or 9th. We didn't even know if he would be pulled at all. Predictions were being thrown all over the place by many fans, and even former Yankee great like Mariano Rivera. I myself thought he would be pulled off the field in the 9th, similar to Mo being taken out in the 8th inning last year, with a PROPER farewell to "The Sandman." But I don't think ANYONE could've predicted the game would end the way it did. 

Of course, David Robertson blew the save as the Yanks were up 5-2. Adam Jones hit a two-run homer off Robertson, and Steve Pearce hit a bases-empty shot to tie the score. I have seen on Twitter and other social media networks, a few (dumb) Yankee fans saying that Robertson did this on purpose. He purposely BLEW the save to give Jeter one last at-bat. So my question is, what would've happened if he DIDN'T get a hit? Did anyone think about what would've happened in the top of the 9th IF Baltimore didn't fire back to tie up the game? What would've happened after the 3rd out, if the Yankees WON the game? It would've been just a regular win that meant nothing. Their playoff spot is gone and the Orioles have already clinched. Did anyone stop to think what would've happened if Jeter did NOT get that RBI to win the game? What was going to happen if we went into extra innings? How would it have ended properly with respect to the FINAL game ever at Yankee Stadium, for The Captain? 

You cannot plan these things. Maybe in football, or even basketball. But baseball? It doesn't work that way. For any Yankee fan to say that Robertson purposely blew the game is absolutely ubserd. 

A story book ending? Sure. For most. Not for me. This isn't how I wanted to see the game end, as crazy as that sounds. I feel it wasn't appropriate and something else might've been planned if Robertson didn't give up those hits. What was planned, IF there was something planned, we may never know. Whether the game resulted in a win or not, Robertson still ruined the game in my eyes. 

To me it looked like Joe (Girardi) was pondering, and possibly READY to do "something else" before Jones knocked out that 2 run homer. 

Derek Jeter was more known for being the shortstop of the New York Yankees, rather then being their power hitter. Coming thru clutch? Absolutely. He came thru ALL the time for us. But being on that field at shortstop is where his heart was set. Exiting the game with a winning WALKOFF RBI was definelty a way to leave in fashion, how ever I would've preferred to see him leave the game, by leaving shortstop.

(Derek Jeters nephew tipping his hat to his Uncle DJ.)

Derek made it quite clear that Yankee Stadium was the last place he wanted to play shortstop. Girardi put him in the lineup as the DH on Saturday and Sunday for the series in Boston, but requested for a day off on Friday. The guy who nearly blew Jeters final game at Yankee Stadium spoke of Jeter on Friday. 

According to ESPN.go.com

"It doesn't surprise me," said David Robertson, who earned his 39th save. "There's a lot of Yankee fans in the seats tonight and I know that the Red Sox fans love and respect him."

"I don't know if they love him," he said with a grin, "but they respect him."

Jeter left Yankee Stadium with an RBI win, and left BASEBALL with another RBI in Boston, on Sunday. 

The Core Four is gone, and baseball will never be the same again. 

Eminem announces The Monster Tour, with Rihanna, coming this summer!!!!

Thats right, Eminem is finally back! After his international tour with Kendrick Lamar & J Cole, Marshall will be heading back to the U.S. for a 3 city stadium tour in August! He will be hitting a stage, in centerfield, in Los Angeles, Detroit, and New York this summer with Rihanna.

Em's last U.S. tour, the "Home and Home Tour," was back in 2010 along with Jay-Z, where he headlined Comerica Park & Hov headlined Yankee Stadium. 

Incase you're wondering, tickets are NOT on sale yet. It has not been announced yet WHICH stadiums the greatest rapper of ALL time will be doing, but judging by his 2010 tour, (which I attended) it's sure going to be an epic, historic night in each city. Attending Em's concerts for almost 15 years now, he has never left me disappointed or regretting spending the CRAZY amounts of money I paid to see him. It truly is an indescribable feeling, from the first second he starts, til the very end.

As far as the New York City show, I'm thinking he might decide to switch it up, and do Citi Field. Either way, I WILL be there, and when the tickets sell out IMMEDIATELY, and a second (and maybe 3rd) show is announced, I'll be there as well. 

If you haven't, or even if you HAVE been lucky enough to catch the Rap God in concert, make sure u don't miss this one. It might be your last chance. This might be his last run. If it's not, the next time he plans to tour again MIGHT not be for a while. 

So, with that said, again....make sure you grab your tickets when they go on sale. It will be slightly impossible, so I recommend StubHub as a second option. If you are looking to save some dough, wait a day before the concert, or even a few hours before, as the prices will likely drop. 

By:: Dana P. (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)