Breaking down the busy April 2026 schedule for NYCFC in MLS

If someone had asked New York City FC fans what they thought about the start of the 2026 Major League Soccer season, many would likely express their happiness and shock. The Bronx side failed to sign a starting striker to replace the injured Alonso Martínez, so expectations were not high.

Yet, the team is 3-1-1, including a road win against the Philadelphia Union. Their only loss thus far was against Inter Miami CF, and there is an argument that NYCFC was so close to earning at least a point. Then, Nicolás Fernández Mercau has been impressive. It was expected that he would be a top winger or even a top attacking midfielder in the league, but nobody expected him to swiftly adjust to playing as a false nine striker and score five goals.

Hence, things have been positive. But now, NYCFC has a difficult stretch of games against teams that they have struggled against, are also having a good start to 2026, or both. So, here is a look at the April schedule for NYCFC.

NYCFC's April 2026 schedule

Saturday, April 4: NYCFC vs St. Louis City SC

The Pigeons will end the four-game homestand and play their first match at Citi Field this season when they welcome St. Louis City SC. They have only played each other once in MLS, and that was back in 2024. The Boys in Blue lost the fixture, and when one includes preseason games, they have never beaten the side from Missouri. Hence, NYCFC will try to secure all three points and take advantage of the 13th-place Western Conference team.

Saturday, April 11: NYCFC at Vancouver Whitecaps FC

One of the toughest opponents of April will undoubtedly be Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Canadian team has had a resurgence with not just numerous fans attending their games, but in their play as well. They made the MLS Cup Finals last season, and currently have a 4-1-0 record. With players like Thomas Müller, Yohei Takaoka, and Brian White, the Pigeons will have to be perfect to leave Vancouver with any points.

Saturday, April 18: NYCFC vs Charlotte FC

The last time NYCFC played Charlotte FC, they knocked the North Carolina side out of the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Hence, one can assume that they will want revenge, and the team is capable of doing so. There have not been too many changes to the roster, which is slightly stronger. The Pigeons will have another tough challenge ahead of them, and Pascal Jansen must put out a strong Starting XI despite the fact that this will be the first of three games in eight days.

Wednesday, April 22: NYCFC vs FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati has had an up-and-down season so far, and it is tough to know which team NYCFC will face. Will it be the side that did well in the CONCACAF Champions Cup before their last game that saw them knocked out? Or will it be the team that lost 6-1 to the New England Revolution? The Ohio side is always a challenge, but NYCFC beat them in both matchups in 2025. Notably, the Orange and Blue finished in second place in the Eastern Conference. Therefore, the Bronx side should have the confidence to beat Cincinnati.

Saturday, April 25: NYCFC at CF Montréal

The final game will see the Boys in Blue travel back to Canada to take on CF Montréal. The team has struggled immensely over the last few years, and 2026 has not been different. But that does not matter since Montréal has won their last three matches against the Pigeons. That is why NYCFC must win this time around and break the losing streak against the Canadian side.