New York City FC's drama-filled, chaotic 2-2 draw with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF to open the 2025 Major League Soccer season gave us lots to unpack.

Hosts John Baney and Mark Radigan cover big points like the gut-punch Miami equalizer in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time, Mitja Ilenič's clever set-piece goal and Messi-trolling Cristiano Ronaldo celebration, and the first big in-game moves made by new NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen.

Discussing Jansen's moves means spending some time talking about 17-year-old Homegrown midfielder Jonathan Shore's MLS debut right at the start of the second half, Justin Haak's slide back to center-back in place of an almost-sent-off Strahinja Tanasijević, and a continued reliance on ageless playmaker Maxi Moralez.

Talk then shifts to a Matchday 2 preview of the game at BMO Stadium against LAFC. We marvel at the toughness of NYCFC's two road matches to start the 2025 MLS season and try to figure out what, if any, changes Pascal Jansen might make to his lineup or his approach for this second competitive game in charge.

Listen to the full episode and then make sure you’re following Hudson River Blue on Bluesky, Instagram, and Threads, and reading all our coverage at HudsonRiverBlue.com.

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