The Empire State Building shone New York City FC’s (NYCFC) sky blue on Wednesday evening in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the club’s first game as an MLS franchise.
NYCFC players Maxi Moralez and Matt Freese joined former player and international soccer icon Andrea Pirlo for a ceremonial switch-flipping at the Empire State Building.
NYCFC CEO Brad Sims noted that the club’s home opener, a dramatic 2-1 win on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium over Orlando City SC, took place exactly 10 years after the club’s MLS debut against the same opposition when Brazilian legend Kaká rescued a 1-1 draw for Orlando in Florida.
“There’s nowhere we’d rather be than right here at the Empire State Building to light up the city we call home,” Sims said, describing the Empire State Building as “the iconic New York City landmark.”
Saturday’s home opener came after a difficult opening to the season for NYCFC, who traveled to Inter Miami and LAFC in their opening two matchweeks of the regular season. In their opening game against Lionel Messi and Miami, they conceded an equalizer deep into stoppage time before conceding in the 86th minute in a 1-0 defeat in Los Angeles.
Freese said it was important for NYCFC to become “quick learners,” stating that the squad’s concession of late goals is “emblematic” of its age profile.
Freese believes that playing in front of the home NYCFC support imbues the squad with a “different type of energy,” adding that home games after an extended period on the road are especially welcome among the NYCFC squad.
“Two away games followed by a home game, it’s a whole other sort of energy,” Freese said.
Freese said he hopes to provide NYCFC fans with many more exciting moments over the next decade. He hopes to win another MLS Cup within the next 10 years but “hopefully much sooner than that.”
Moralez, meanwhile, who has played with NYCFC for eight of the club’s 10 seasons, said it has been “amazing” to see the club grow over the past decade.
The Argentinian midfielder said it is important for the club to claim three points in their upcoming home opener, stating that the game is both special for the fans and the history of the club.
“Every single week, we have to try to win,” Moralez said, adding that he hopes to win this game and “look forward.”
Freese heaped praise on the performances of NYCFC youngster Jonathan Shore in the opening rounds of the season, stating that he has been keenly following Shore’s progression since joining the club two years ago.
“He, along with all of us, has more to learn and will continue to develop, but he’s an example of development being handled the right way.”
