NYCFC announces schedule for 2022 MLS season

OK, starting now, no more on New York City FC’s MLS Cup win. It was huge, it was amazing, but it’s also over. Now, it’s on to the 2022 MLS season.

Today, MLS released its 2022 regular-season schedule, including that of NYCFC. And it’s… interesting to say the least.

NYCFC will open 2022 with a west coast road trip, playing their home opener on the road against the LA Galaxy on February 27 before making the trip up north to face the Vancouver Whitecaps on March 5. The Boys in Blue have their home opener against CF Montreal at Yankee Stadium on March 12, almost seven years to the day of their first-ever home game in 2015, in a game that will surely be an emotional experience and will likely play host to a pre-match championship ceremony.

After that, things get weird.

Previously, team CEO Brad Sims said that NYCFC would be avoiding playing at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey at all costs. Though he couldn’t guarantee that RBA would be completely avoidable for future games, Sims said that they’d be aiming to host all of their home games at both primary home Yankee Stadium, and Citi Field in Queens.

The current schedule shows NYCFC playing 10 games at Yankee Stadium with an additional 6 games being played at Citi Field. However, one home game stands out, and that’s New York City hosting expansion side Charlotte FC on August 17 at nowhere else but, you guessed it, Red Bull Arena. That’s disappointing.

Elsewhere, there will only be two editions of the Hudson River Derby in 2022. NYCFC’s marquee rivalry matches against the New York Red Bull will take place on July 17 and September 17 at Red Bull Arena and Yankee Stadium, respectively.

NYCFC will also begin their 2022 CONCACAF Champions League campaign on February 15, which will require future scheduling updates.