Hatchlings
As NYCFC II prepares to take on FC Motown tonight in the US Open Cup, Paul Harvey unapologetically dives deep into the Baby Blues.
Last season, New York City FC II fell short of the playoffs by a single point. A stumble against a woeful Toronto side in the penultimate game left them unable to control their own destiny. Even a final win against Inter Miami II was not enough to catch up to rivals Philadelphia. Despite a fairly strong season by the underlying metrics, and scoring the joint first most goals in the Eastern Conference, the most important measure - points - was underwhelming.
That marks a second season of failure for the reserve team. Not only did they fail to make the playoffs, but the reserves have made little impact on the first team in the last two years of operation. This leads to an important question: What exactly is the mission of NYCFC II?
Is it to win? If so, the team has done a poor job of it. Missing the playoffs twice despite investing in an older and more experienced roster than many of their opponents isn’t a great marker of success. The resources have certainly been there relative to the competition. At the same time, the team hasn’t had the significant investment of East big dogs Crown Legacy and Huntsville, they’ve certainly been on par with the rest.
Is it to develop talent for the first team? Yet again, this is an area that has not been up to par. Multiple players have moved from the reserve setups to the first team of their respective MLS teams; Mo Farsi was a starter for the Columbus Crew in their MLS Cup win after winning a championship with the Crew II in 2022. Bernard Kamungo and Benjamin Cremaschi jumped from their teams to the USA national team. Meanwhile, NYCFC II players have just a handful of first team minutes as a group, and those who did receive those minutes (Stephen Turnbull and Nico Benalcazar, for example) are no longer in the NYCFC first team picture. Rio Hope-Gund did earn a first team contract, but it remains to be seen if he will have any notable impact.
Entering the third season marks a crisis of identity for the team, backed up by a clearout of the roster. Golden Boot winner MD Myers and former first team signee Stephen Turnbull have already moved on to new USL Championship sides. Benalcazar has joined FC Cincinnati’s reserve side. John Denis, the team’s talisman last season, was diagnosed with cancer just before preseason.
The Roster
The rest of the roster was shrouded in mystery until the season opener in Miami. It was unclear if former first teamers like Jonathan Jimenez or Kwaku Owusu were returning, or moving on. However, with the first game, a roster drop appeared in the game notes - not released by official media channels, but still an official list for the first time in a while. Of course, much of the information is questionable; Rando is on a first team contract while Owusu and Jimenez are not. Nonetheless, it is the closest to a real roster that we have.
Each player is either a returning NYCFC II player, academy player, or first team signing on assignment.1 Only three players represent true new additions to NYCFC: draft picks Malachi Jones and Taylor Calheira, and signing Chris Tiao.
Goalkeepers
Three goalkeepers are listed on the roster above: Kofi Hope-Gund (Rio’s twin brother), Alex Rando, and Alex Yagudayev. Tomas Romero started against Inter Miami II, and is likely to see significant playing time with the team. Romero, a highly touted young player from the Philadelphia Union academy, was the starter for LAFC’s 2021 campaign and an invitee to the El Salvador Gold Cup team that same year. However, his time at LAFC was rough; he performed poorly, and the team missed the playoffs for the first and only time so far. Subsequently, he was replaced, and released by LAFC at the end of the 2022 season. After a brief stint in Toronto, he was on the move again, this time picked up by NYCFC.
The real gem of the group is academy goalkeeper Alexander Yagudayev (2006). He has trained extensively with NYCFC over the past few seasons and saw significant time as a starter last season. He has consistently outperformed against expected goals on target (xGOT), a generally good predictor between levels. His agility and sharp reflexes help him make quick reaction saves, and he has demonstrated the physical prowess necessary to claim balls and challenge pro opponents, excelling particularly as a penalty specialist. However, to make the jump to the next level, he must refine his decision-making regarding when to challenge, and there may be concerns about his height, listed at just 6’1”. Yagudayev is committed to playing Division 1 soccer for Villanova in the fall, so if a pro first or second team contract does not materialize, he may not finish the season with NYCFC II.
Defenders
In the defensive line, Drew Baiera (2007) and Alexander Hauschild (2006) are the young homegrowns, while Kwaku Owusu and Chris Tiao provide valuable experience. Owusu stands out as one of the best passers from the back in the entire league, leading in completed line-breaking through balls among center backs in both 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, Hauschild, a left-footer with a big frame, is in the process of growing into the role. He struggled to adapt to the pace of the game against Miami, and will need to improve as a defender to avoid being targeted by opponents. Serving as Hauschild’s backup is Klevis Haxhari (2005). The right-footed Albanian youth international is older, a better passer, and more capable of a defender, but is behind Owusu on the depth chart on his natural right side.
Tiao joins NYCFC after a five-year stint at Rutgers. Before that, he was a member of the New York Red Bulls II and even competed on their second team in USL. He’s a natural lefty and provides experience on that side. Chris McFarlane may make appearances at this level, and Steven Bednarsky has a record of playing left back as well.
Midfielders
In the midfield, Piero Elias returns as the do-everything pivot. The powerfully built Peruvian dominated the middle of the park against Miami, delivering a masterclass of possession and progression. He babysits three very young homegrown midfielders, readily covering for them whenever necessary.
Jacob Arroyave (2007), the latest addition to midfield, is a 16-year-old with a leggy, straight-backed dribbling style, drawing comparisons of the Chicago Fire’s Brian Gutiérrez or even Keaton Parks. He smoothly evades tacklers and plays quick balls to teammates to spring them into space. While he drifted in and out of the Miami game, his on-ball talent is evident.
Jonathan Shore (2007) started as a winger against Miami. As the smallest and slightest of the three homegrown midfielders, he occasionally struggles when the game becomes physical. Lacking the pace or burst to beat defenders, he instead relies on intelligent movement and technical skill to create his own space - an ability he demonstrated effectively when he scored NYCFC’s season-opening goal.
Maximo Carrizo (2008) is a name that should be on everyone’s radar by now. After all, he became the youngest signing in MLS history when he signed his first team deal. The Argentinian-American left-footed attacking midfielder has certainly garnered hype, but has yet to dominate the league - and that’s perfectly fine. What sets Carrizo apart is his prodigious technical ability. The ball seems to adhere to his feet and his touch is almost flawless. He possesses a true 360° passing range, capable of executing beautiful switches with either foot. Moreover, he can finish comfortably inside and outside the box.
However, Carrizo still lacks refinement in the mental side of the game. He struggles with finding space, knowing when to involve his teammates, and choosing the right moments to challenge opponents one-on-one. Nevertheless, in the match against Miami, he showed considerable improvement from last year. Although his contributions may not have been reflected on the scoreboard, he showcased his ability to win physical duels, drop between lines, and exploit dangerous spaces on the field. This could very well be Carrizo’s year to be the enganche, the main man, for a team of professionals.
Attackers
In the attack, the two focal points are the draft picks. Malachi Jones (2003) started the season with a display of attacking verve; he had 9 progressive runs, multiple take-ons, and consistently applied pressure on the Miami back line. Unfortunately, he was hesitant to shoot or move the ball, resulting in frequent turnovers during critical moments of attack. Despite this, there is undeniable potential in Jones that can be realized with some fine-tuning and calibration.
Taylor Calheira had a more quiet game compared to his teammates. As a center forward, he presents a stark contrast to the poacher MD Myers was last season. Calheira is more technical and demonstrates a willingness to drift wide and take on opponents. However, he appears less comfortable finding space in the box. While he may offer more versatility in the buildup and attacking phase, replacing Myers’ ability to get on the end of attacks is a challenging task. Nevertheless, Calheira’s header from a Tiao cross did result in a tap-in for NYCFC’s second goal, indicating with time he may prove to be a great fit.
Returning players Ronald Arevalo (2003) and Jonathan Jimenez round out the core of the attack; both are industrious and effective wingers, although they may not possess a remarkably high ceiling. Zidane Yañez (2008), NYCFC’s latest homegrown signing, is a young striker who may make the occasional appearance but still likely needs a season in the academy before being ready to take on professional backlines.
Elements of (Team) Style
Did you miss the opener? Catch up on some of it here:
NYCFC II mirrors the first team in many ways. They’re a possession-heavy team that runs a traditional 4-3-3 with clearly delineated midfield roles. Aggressive fullbacks get up and down the field to provide width in attack while wingers invert into the half spaces to support possession.
In the build-up phase, NYCFC involves the goalkeeper more than any other team in the league. The centrality of the keeper allows them to get an extra man into the midfield, opening up progression options that otherwise might be marked out of the game. However, this tactic requires goalkeepers who are excellent with their feet and confident in their passing. While this approach has proven effective at times, there have also been occasions where mistakes in distribution have cost NYCFC games.
Unlike the first team, the high press never went out of style for the Squabs. This season looks to be no exception. Against Miami, the young Pigeons pressed aggressively, targeting the younger left side of the Miami back line. This approach proved effective, as 22 of NYCFC’s possessions began in the final third - a remarkable amount. Despite dominating possession, they only managed a relatively few number of shots. Moving forward, the team’s challenge will be developing the rhythm to attack in transition after forcing turnovers and creating scoring opportunities from those moments.
It’s challenging to run the high line required for an effective high press, and Leo Afonso’s first goal for Miami punished NYCFC for a mistake. An aggressive step from Owusu to catch Afonso offside would have worked if Tiao and Hauschild had moved in unison with him; unfortunately, they did not, allowing Afonso to complete a long uncontested run with a simple near-post finish against Romero. Miami repeatedly found space and time on breakaways as NYCFC struggled to recover. To be successful, gambling on the front end demands good communication and togetherness on the back end.
The US Open Cup
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard the discourse around the US Open Cup. MLS has decided to distance itself from the competition, sending only eight first teams and an additional eight reserve teams to compete. NYCFC II is among the reserve teams and is scheduled to play local New Jersey outfit FC Motown tonight.
The returning veterans of NYCFC II are likely a level above what FC Motown can put on the pitch, but the young players might struggle against a well-disciplined and successful lower-level squad. FC Motown is no stranger to high-pressure games;, two of their players, Samuel Pompee and Maudwindo Germain, played pivotal roles in Violette AC’s remarkable upset of Austin FC in the CONCACAF Champions League last season.
The game will likely unfold with NYCFC II taking the role of protagonists, while the more experienced Motown will seek to capitalize on any mistakes. If the Baby Blues can limit mistakes, hold on to the ball, and use their talent edge to create opportunities in the final third, this is a very winnable game. The young Pigeons are still just starting their season, but if they can string together an impressive Cup run it can raise the profile of the team and MLS Next Pro as a whole. If they can make it past the first round, potential USL or even MLS matchups could await.
Of course, the opening day of the Cup saw three MLS Next Pro teams falter against lower-division sides. There is something to be said about experience and just how hard it is to win with kids.
What Else To Expect?
The Eastern Conference in MLS Next Pro is akin to a gladiator pit. Some teams, like Crown Legacy and Huntsville, prioritize investment in high-level talent, spending more than the average USL Championship team. Others boast deep and established academy programs with excellent youth players such as Philadelphia Union II or Atlanta United 2. There is a global giant across the Hudson that uses its affiliate network to ruthlessly filter low-profile prospects from Africa and South America to maximize their system. There are also teams like the two-time Eastern Conference champions Crew II, who have proved their ability to scout talent from all levels of American soccer and seamlessly integrate it into their system. And just to round it all out, Carolina Core and Chattanooga FC have joined the East as independent teams whose sole metric for success is winning games.
There is absolutely no margin for error if the goal is to be successful in the league this season. It’s hard to see a path forward to success for the second team without a clear roster or identity. Even if young talents like Malachi Jones spend time with the IIs, it may not be enough to elevate the level of play to win consistently home or away. That means success might not be measured in points, but in the level of development we see from the young players.
Can Carrizo become the next Maxi, a constant presence on the ball with the ability to change the game in an instant? Can he absorb tremendous usage responsibility while still being productive? Will Jones show himself to be a lower-level Neymar who can change games single-handedly? Can McFarlane use his right foot? Can Yanez play and develop into an every-other-game scorer? Can Baiera and Shore show the physical ability needed to graduate to the highest level?
For many of these players, the answer feels like “Not this year”. However, for them to reach their full potential, they’re going to need playing time. Yet, each game they play will most likely come at the expense of points. While it's entirely possible the rest of the roster can compensate for their development, last year’s experience suggests otherwise. Nevertheless, the Baby Blues are every bit part of New York City FC and deserve the unwavering support of the fanbase. ❧
Image: Senufo peoples, Bird (Sejen)
Note: all U20 players will have birth year indicated
Well written.