Where will NYCFC play its home matches in 2022 MLS Cup playoffs?
Maxi Moralez #10 of New York City FC celebrates his goal in the second half against the Atlas during the 2022 Campeones Cup at Yankee Stadium on September 14, 2022. Credit: Getty Images/Mike Stobe
New York City FC fans were reminded once more Tuesday of their club’s status as nomadic tenants in the homes of other franchises.
Where NYCFC will attempt to defend the club's first MLS Cup championship remains unclear because of the upcoming baseball playoffs, the club confirmed in a statement Tuesday.
City expects to host its first-round match at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, home of the rival Red Bulls, with primary venue Yankee Stadium and backup Citi Field scheduled to host early-round MLB playoff games and remaining unavailable until the Yankees or Mets are eliminated. The first-round site would change to a still unannounced venue should NYCFC be matched with the Red Bulls in the opener.
Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut, could be an option if that scenario plays out. The venue hosted NYCFC for a CONCACAF Champions League match earlier this year and an MLS match in 2017. It also served as temporary home of Toronto FC in 2020 because of COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.
“If NYCFC hosts playoff games in subsequent rounds, the Club’s venue priority will continue to be Yankee Stadium first, Citi Field second, and Red Bull Arena third, based upon availability,” the club’s statement read.
NYCFC split MLS home matches between the three venues this season and historically is at its best inside the narrow confines of the Yankee Stadium home pitch. City was 7-1-2 (23 points) in the Bronx and 2-0-2 (8 points) at Citi Field in MLS games this season. Playing across the river, NYCFC was 1-2 (3 points) in MLS home matches at Red Bull Arena.
After clinching its seventh straight playoff berth, NYCFC sits third in the MLS Eastern Conference with 52 points and is in line to face six-seed Orlando City. The Red Bulls are in fourth with 50 points and the possibility to rise above City or fall to sixth in a crowded race as the regular season concludes.
The MLS Cup playoffs will begin Saturday, Oct. 15 and conclude with MLS Cup on Saturday, Nov. 5, an early finish to the season to accommodate this year’s winter World Cup in Qatar.
Ryan Gerbosi is an internet news manager for sports at Newsday.com. He also covers NYCFC and mixed martial arts and believes the designated hitter should be banned from baseball.
