My Experience as Press at the Hudson River Derby

I would not consider myself to be press. I am just a fan of New York City Football Club, and I have been since their first match in 2015.

Since then, I’ve always had strong feelings about the club, but rarely felt like I had an outlet to express them. So one day I just decided to start writing about the club. I started ‘The Pigeons’, fired off some tweets and wrote a few blogs. Some were decently successful…many were not at all successful. But ultimately, the experience has been great so far.

NYCFC fans showing out for the Hudson River Derby (Via NYCFC)

Eventually, I started writing pieces for the FAR more reputable NYCFC blog, ‘Hudson River Blue’, which began to give me a few new avenues of opportunity. Probably the coolest of which (so far) was the opportunity to attend the most recent Hudson River Derby as a member of the press.

So last Saturday, after being granted a credential by the club, I just kinda showed up at Yankee Stadium for the match. To say I didn’t know what to do would be an understatement. I didn’t have any plan whatsoever, didn’t know what to wear … hell, I didn’t even know which door to use at the stadium. I quite literally just showed up and hoped for the best.

One of Yankee Stadium's many entrances (Via Sports Illustrated)

Eventually, after figuring out which entrance to use, I was greeted by an extremely helpful and kind Yankee Stadium staff, and I was on my way. After taking some pictures (and then being told that taking pictures was NOT allowed in that part of the stadium), I wandered up to the press box, and inadvertently almost walked straight into Ian Joy and Joe Tolleson’s commentary box.

After finding the place I was actually supposed to sit, I just started trying to take it all in. The view of the pitch was spectacular, there was a full buffet laid out for members of the press, and a group of photographers, writers, social media teams, and others began to fill the seats of the press box. I just tried to play it cool and make sure I wasn’t getting in anyone’s way.

After grabbing a bite to eat, and realizing I was sitting on the Red Bull’s side of the box, I moved over to the NYCFC section and watched the start of the match. Within a minute of kickoff, I was already on my feet celebrating Callens' opener WAY too passionately, rising to my feet and giving a Ronny Deila-esque roar + first pump combo.

Alex Callens celebrating almost as hard as me in the press box (Via NYCFC)

Given the rest of the press box did not celebrate that way whatsoever, I tried to mute my reactions a bit for our second goal that followed shortly after. But if we’re being honest, I still probably over did it the second time too.

I tried chatting about the team, the match, and tactics and whatnot with some of the people around me to mixed success. Some seemed to be more interested in the actual match than others, but everyone up there was pretty friendly for the most part - whether they were on the NYCFC or Red Bulls side of things.

But after the match was the big moment. I had access to the press conference, and even though I was insanely nervous, I knew I HAD to ask at least one question to Head Coach, Nick Cushing - I would be kicking myself forever if I backed out of that opportunity.

After going back and forth over what to ask, I decided to try pick his brain over the two HUGE wins he had just pulled off back-to-back: the Campeones Cup win and the Red Bulls victory. I tried to ask it in kind of a funny way to keep things light/fun, but I was pretty terrified of him not laughing and having me look stupid in front of all 7 other people in the press conference.

Head Coach, Nick Cushing, looking mildly amused by my question (Via NYCFC)

I ended up getting a chuckle and a solid answer from the gaffer, which was huge for both my blood pressure and heart rate, as I was able to relax a little bit after that and just enjoy the press conference and Cushing’s answers.

After the presser, I got to shake Cushing’s hand and introduce myself, which I found to be a way less nerve-racking experience than asking him my press conference question for some reason. He was pretty much the nicest dude of all time, and made sure to give most people in the conference room a quick hello.

After that, I pretty much just walked out of the stadium just as awkwardly and aimlessly as I walked in. I hopped on the 4 train as I always do, and headed home with the rest of fans. The only thing that felt different this time was that I was wearing a button-down instead of my usual game day Maxi Moralez kit.

But, reflecting on my day as a member of the press, would I do it again? I mean obviously, that shit was sick. But more so, the whole experience just made me feel more validated that this is something I can do, and something that probably anyone could do if given the opportunity. So while I’m CERTAINLY still a fan before anything else, feeling like a real member of the sports-media world felt pretty damn cool, and it’s a memory that I think I’ll cherish for a long time.