Spain wins it all, NYCFC resumes MLS season amid transfer rumor frenzy

The World Cup ended in New Jersey, and co-host Mark Radigan was there to see it with his own eyes, which is what kicks off this episode, a discussion with his co-host John Baney and producer Andrew Leigh about that 2026 final won by Spain. You hear about the three-and-a-half-hour process to enter NY/NJ Stadium one last time, the pro-Argentina crowd inside that stadium, and the experience of watching Spain dominate en route to a second World Cup triumph. After a World Cup farewell, it's on to more local topics, like the revelation that Etihad Park will host its first New York City FC match on July 17, 2027. One of the stadium's eventual co-tenants, Gotham FC of the NWSL, had a very busy week spent playing twice in New York City. Most significantly, the largest crowd ever to watch women's sports in New York City, 42,175 fans, turned out to see Gotham beat the Washington Spirit at Citi Field, so the show reflects on that landmark night and focuses on the difference it could make for adding to the Gotham fanbase and following. From there, it's into a big block of NYCFC roster and transfer talk. There are confirmed moves made, like contract extensions for two players plus a trade, but there are also lots and lots of rumored moves, whether it's important players possibly leaving the current NYCFC squad, or other names, big and less-big, linked with possibly joining that squad. Mark, John, and Andrew touch on them all and find the logic, or illogic, in each rumor. There are also some injury updates thrown in there for good measure, with some clearer understanding of Kai Trewin and Aiden O'Neill's absences after the World Cup, and how soon we might see previously-injured players like Kevin O'Toole. All helpful information to have since this episode ends with our predictions for the first two competitive matches NYCFC will play since May 23 in Nashville. Listen to this jumbo-sized episode of The Soccer Journal Podcast, 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.