A frustrating NYCFC draw, a new MLS commissioner, and another dose of Leagues Cup

New York City FC remains unbeaten since the World Cup break ended, but this episode starts with hosts Mark Radigan and John Baney and producer Andrew Leigh breaking down a disappointing 1-1 stalemate with Toronto FC in the Bronx. From the bright start that featured a dime dropped by new signing Bénie Traoré setting up the penalty for NYCFC's goal, to the rest of the performance, which was an uninspired one from the home team that also featured a costly error before halftime that let Toronto back into it. Also of note: Nico Fernández Mercau, who scored in his fourth consecutive MLS match and is now tied for the MLS Golden Boot lead, but who also appeared frustrated while being substituted off late in the Toronto game, with Pascal Jansen saying he asked for a sub, and with new comments from NYCFC sporting director Todd Dunivant (relayed by Andrew) doing nothing to dispel the rumors that Nico is the subject of an ongoing transfer saga that could end with him leaving the team. Then the show runs through some news, first of the sad injury variety: Arnau Farnós, 2025 MLS SuperDraft pick turned first-team signing this spring, is out for the long-term after suffering a serious non-contact leg injury during training last week, with Pascal Jansen describing it as "quite severe" and one that featured "fractures," plural. The injury bug just does not stop biting. There's also a new MLS commissioner in town, with news breaking that LAFC co-owner Larry Berg will take over for Don Garber in 2027. What will Berg need to accomplish now that he's in charge of MLS? John makes a compelling case for Berg's mandate being "convince owners to spend more money on players," while there's also the matter of trying to get MLS a lucrative new broadcast deal once their pact with Apple expires. The United States men's national team is back in the news, too, because Mauricio Pochettino is back in the saddle as the USMNT coach, signed to a new contract through the 2030 World Cup. Your hosts are not convinced Pochettino will stick with the team all the way through 2030, and they're also not convinced it's a wise idea for the USMNT to try to get a second World Cup cycle out of a coach, given how poorly that approach has gone in the past. The final portion of this episode is all about everyone's favorite mid-summer tournament: Leagues Cup. There's a refresher on the format, which is the same as it was in 2025, and which leaves teams with zero margin for error if they want to be one of the eight squads (four from MLS, four from LigaMX) to advance to the knockout rounds. Then it's time to drill down on NYCFC's first two opponents from Mexico, Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul, and to share expectations for how NYCFC and Pascal Jansen approach these games. Is it going to be a repeat of last season, when a cellar-dwelling Club Puebla side ended New York City's Leagues Cup chances before they could even form? Or will a newcomer like Luighi, officially in the fold now and available for Leagues Cup, make a difference and help spark NYCFC to a true Leagues Cup run? Listen to the full episode, then find more of our coverage at nysoccerjournal.com, or on Bluesky @nysoccerjournal.com, Twitter @nysoccerjournal and @NYSJPodcast, and on Instagram @newyorksoccerjournal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.