Michael Battista
@battista.bsky.social
Last NASL intern; Member of North American Soccer Reporters; TCNJ Class of 18'
Main credits: TheCup.us | NY Soccer Journal (Once A Metro & Hudson River Blue expat) | Red Bull Nation NYC
Main credits: TheCup.us | NY Soccer Journal (Once A Metro & Hudson River Blue expat) | Red Bull Nation NYC
Pinned
“Dear Michael Battista,
We are pleased to inform you that your accreditation application for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is approved for the accreditation process.”
I’M HIM
I’VE BEEN HIM
I WILL CONTINUE TO BE HIM
See you soon @nysoccerjournal.com…
#FIFAWorldCup
We are pleased to inform you that your accreditation application for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is approved for the accreditation process.”
I’M HIM
I’VE BEEN HIM
I WILL CONTINUE TO BE HIM
See you soon @nysoccerjournal.com…
#FIFAWorldCup
Reposted by Michael Battista
The east has one-time US Open Cup winners facing off, west with teams chasing a first taste of USOC glory. All the semifinalists remade their rosters at midseason, all 4 have frailties that could get exploited in the semis. Let @battista.bsky.social get you ready for #USOC2026 semifinal night
US Open Cup Semifinals: Four MLS hopefuls with remade rosters aim for the final
Columbus Crew, Orlando City SC, Colorado Rapids, and St. Louis City SC each have dealt with up-and-down seasons, but each team enters the Open Cup semifinals with new talent in place and with clear pa...
www.nysoccerjournal.com
September 16, 2026 at 12:29 PM
The east has one-time US Open Cup winners facing off, west with teams chasing a first taste of USOC glory. All the semifinalists remade their rosters at midseason, all 4 have frailties that could get exploited in the semis. Let @battista.bsky.social get you ready for #USOC2026 semifinal night
Clip from this week’s Soccer View Radio episode talking Red Bull New York and the Hudson River Derby.
Julian De Guzman and the #RBNY Front Office have said that the direction is youth and not signing big star name players.
“Red Bull is too young.”
No, Red Bull is exactly what they want to be.
Julian De Guzman and the #RBNY Front Office have said that the direction is youth and not signing big star name players.
“Red Bull is too young.”
No, Red Bull is exactly what they want to be.
September 15, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Clip from this week’s Soccer View Radio episode talking Red Bull New York and the Hudson River Derby.
Julian De Guzman and the #RBNY Front Office have said that the direction is youth and not signing big star name players.
“Red Bull is too young.”
No, Red Bull is exactly what they want to be.
Julian De Guzman and the #RBNY Front Office have said that the direction is youth and not signing big star name players.
“Red Bull is too young.”
No, Red Bull is exactly what they want to be.
I joined Soccer View Radio to preview this Friday’s Hudson River Derby between Red Bull New York and New York City FC. We’re talked latest results, run of form, #USOC, #MLS standings, and more!
Links to listen: linktr.ee/thesoccerview
#RBNY #NYCFC
Links to listen: linktr.ee/thesoccerview
#RBNY #NYCFC
September 15, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I joined Soccer View Radio to preview this Friday’s Hudson River Derby between Red Bull New York and New York City FC. We’re talked latest results, run of form, #USOC, #MLS standings, and more!
Links to listen: linktr.ee/thesoccerview
#RBNY #NYCFC
Links to listen: linktr.ee/thesoccerview
#RBNY #NYCFC
Reposted by Michael Battista
I'm going to bang this drum again: the US pro soccer landscape is structured (purposefully or not) on organizations moving up. There is little to no desire/resources to assist organizations that want/need to move down OR organizations that are happy to NOT move up.
www.backheeled.com/usl-league-o...
www.backheeled.com/usl-league-o...
USL League One: What's next for the league, Boise's promotion & everything else
Here's what stood out from League One's latest action.
www.backheeled.com
September 15, 2026 at 1:44 PM
I'm going to bang this drum again: the US pro soccer landscape is structured (purposefully or not) on organizations moving up. There is little to no desire/resources to assist organizations that want/need to move down OR organizations that are happy to NOT move up.
www.backheeled.com/usl-league-o...
www.backheeled.com/usl-league-o...
You can read my #USOC2027 recap on SC Vistula Garfield’s 4-1 come from behind win over Five Rivers SC on @thecup.us!
The #APSL side, led by former #RBNY reserve player Chris Karcz, moves on in the US Open Cup thanks in part to a banger bicycle kick goal by Gabriel Costa.
cc: @opencup.ussoccer.com
The #APSL side, led by former #RBNY reserve player Chris Karcz, moves on in the US Open Cup thanks in part to a banger bicycle kick goal by Gabriel Costa.
cc: @opencup.ussoccer.com
September 14, 2026 at 5:32 PM
You can read my #USOC2027 recap on SC Vistula Garfield’s 4-1 come from behind win over Five Rivers SC on @thecup.us!
The #APSL side, led by former #RBNY reserve player Chris Karcz, moves on in the US Open Cup thanks in part to a banger bicycle kick goal by Gabriel Costa.
cc: @opencup.ussoccer.com
The #APSL side, led by former #RBNY reserve player Chris Karcz, moves on in the US Open Cup thanks in part to a banger bicycle kick goal by Gabriel Costa.
cc: @opencup.ussoccer.com
My North American Soccer Reporters (NASR, @soccerreporters.bsky.social) MLS Player of the Week ballot - 2026 Matchday Twenty-six (26).
1: Kévin Denkey - FC Cincinnati - #AllForCincy
2: Rafael Navarro - St. Louis CITY SC - #AllForCITY
#NYCSN
@cincysoccertalk.bsky.social
@stlsoccernews.com
1: Kévin Denkey - FC Cincinnati - #AllForCincy
2: Rafael Navarro - St. Louis CITY SC - #AllForCITY
#NYCSN
@cincysoccertalk.bsky.social
@stlsoccernews.com
September 14, 2026 at 11:45 AM
My North American Soccer Reporters (NASR, @soccerreporters.bsky.social) MLS Player of the Week ballot - 2026 Matchday Twenty-six (26).
1: Kévin Denkey - FC Cincinnati - #AllForCincy
2: Rafael Navarro - St. Louis CITY SC - #AllForCITY
#NYCSN
@cincysoccertalk.bsky.social
@stlsoccernews.com
1: Kévin Denkey - FC Cincinnati - #AllForCincy
2: Rafael Navarro - St. Louis CITY SC - #AllForCITY
#NYCSN
@cincysoccertalk.bsky.social
@stlsoccernews.com
Reposted by Michael Battista
🏈 CHI 59 - 37 CAR
FINAL
✅ That's Scorigami!! It's the 1096th unique final score in NFL history.
FINAL
✅ That's Scorigami!! It's the 1096th unique final score in NFL history.
September 13, 2026 at 8:38 PM
🏈 CHI 59 - 37 CAR
FINAL
✅ That's Scorigami!! It's the 1096th unique final score in NFL history.
FINAL
✅ That's Scorigami!! It's the 1096th unique final score in NFL history.
Taken two months apart.
From covering the FIFA World Cup Final in East Rutherford, NJ, to covering the First Qualifying Round of the 2027 US Open Cup in Carteret, NJ.
Love what I do.
#USOC2027
From covering the FIFA World Cup Final in East Rutherford, NJ, to covering the First Qualifying Round of the 2027 US Open Cup in Carteret, NJ.
Love what I do.
#USOC2027
September 13, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Taken two months apart.
From covering the FIFA World Cup Final in East Rutherford, NJ, to covering the First Qualifying Round of the 2027 US Open Cup in Carteret, NJ.
Love what I do.
#USOC2027
From covering the FIFA World Cup Final in East Rutherford, NJ, to covering the First Qualifying Round of the 2027 US Open Cup in Carteret, NJ.
Love what I do.
#USOC2027
Time to do that soccer.
We back at U.S Open Cup Qualifying! Five Rivers SC of the #UPSL hosts SC Vistula Garfield of the #APSL in the first round. We even got a DJ booth blasting music.
Kickoff in half an hour from Joseph Medwick Park in Carteret, NJ.
#USOC2027
@thecup.us
@nysoccerjournal.com
We back at U.S Open Cup Qualifying! Five Rivers SC of the #UPSL hosts SC Vistula Garfield of the #APSL in the first round. We even got a DJ booth blasting music.
Kickoff in half an hour from Joseph Medwick Park in Carteret, NJ.
#USOC2027
@thecup.us
@nysoccerjournal.com
September 13, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Time to do that soccer.
We back at U.S Open Cup Qualifying! Five Rivers SC of the #UPSL hosts SC Vistula Garfield of the #APSL in the first round. We even got a DJ booth blasting music.
Kickoff in half an hour from Joseph Medwick Park in Carteret, NJ.
#USOC2027
@thecup.us
@nysoccerjournal.com
We back at U.S Open Cup Qualifying! Five Rivers SC of the #UPSL hosts SC Vistula Garfield of the #APSL in the first round. We even got a DJ booth blasting music.
Kickoff in half an hour from Joseph Medwick Park in Carteret, NJ.
#USOC2027
@thecup.us
@nysoccerjournal.com
Reposted by Michael Battista
Waking up after an #RBNY win like
Conan O'Brien Wakes Up Happy
ALT: Conan O'Brien Wakes Up Happy
static.klipy.com
September 13, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Waking up after an #RBNY win like
Both Red Bull New York and New York City FC ended winless streaks tonight.
Both #RBNY & #NYCFC are on a collision course for a Hudson River Derby this Friday that suddenly feels more important.
Both #RBNY & #NYCFC are on a collision course for a Hudson River Derby this Friday that suddenly feels more important.
Winless streak over, first ever win in Utah, Alonso Martínez back, clean sheet kept with Freese looking great, Ojeda 2 assists to hit 13 goal contributions, Luighi up to 4 goals in 6 MLS games, and Nico hits 15 goals with a Straight from Training Banger: Lotta positives for NYCFC
September 13, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Reposted by Michael Battista
Reposted by Michael Battista
#RBNY breaks the club’s six-match winless streak through a Ronald Donkor goal and another clean sheet!
New York back above the line for now in 9th.
New York back above the line for now in 9th.
September 13, 2026 at 1:39 AM
#RBNY breaks the club’s six-match winless streak through a Ronald Donkor goal and another clean sheet!
New York back above the line for now in 9th.
New York back above the line for now in 9th.
Quarter of a century after the 9/11 attacks, I still look up at the lights where the World Trade Center used to be.
I don’t know what the feeling is
First two photos are from the Skyline Playground in North Arlington. The last one is from on my block.
I don’t know what the feeling is
First two photos are from the Skyline Playground in North Arlington. The last one is from on my block.
September 12, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Quarter of a century after the 9/11 attacks, I still look up at the lights where the World Trade Center used to be.
I don’t know what the feeling is
First two photos are from the Skyline Playground in North Arlington. The last one is from on my block.
I don’t know what the feeling is
First two photos are from the Skyline Playground in North Arlington. The last one is from on my block.
"when Miami didn't have a pro team, between the Fusion era and Inter Miami."
This is THE Miami FC and Fort Lauderdale Strikers (I'll include them) erasure.
This is THE Miami FC and Fort Lauderdale Strikers (I'll include them) erasure.
Michelle also covered soccer with great quality for the many years when Miami didn't have a pro team, between the Fusion era and Inter Miami.
Plus tennis, college sports, and many other things.
Hopefully someone else hires her, and profits from doing so as any outlet would.
Plus tennis, college sports, and many other things.
Hopefully someone else hires her, and profits from doing so as any outlet would.
September 11, 2026 at 2:20 PM
"when Miami didn't have a pro team, between the Fusion era and Inter Miami."
This is THE Miami FC and Fort Lauderdale Strikers (I'll include them) erasure.
This is THE Miami FC and Fort Lauderdale Strikers (I'll include them) erasure.
Reposted by Michael Battista
Really appreciate the support over the last week! With #USOC2027 Qualifying games beginning tomorrow, a few more #USOpenCup games need reporters on site!
Atlanta area
South Florida (Miami included)
Baltimore
Las Vegas
Nashville
Dallas
cc: @soccerdownhere.bsky.social
@americansocceranalysis.com
Atlanta area
South Florida (Miami included)
Baltimore
Las Vegas
Nashville
Dallas
cc: @soccerdownhere.bsky.social
@americansocceranalysis.com
September 11, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Really appreciate the support over the last week! With #USOC2027 Qualifying games beginning tomorrow, a few more #USOpenCup games need reporters on site!
Atlanta area
South Florida (Miami included)
Baltimore
Las Vegas
Nashville
Dallas
cc: @soccerdownhere.bsky.social
@americansocceranalysis.com
Atlanta area
South Florida (Miami included)
Baltimore
Las Vegas
Nashville
Dallas
cc: @soccerdownhere.bsky.social
@americansocceranalysis.com
Reposted by Michael Battista
@battista.bsky.social and @markfishkin.bsky.social are back to break down #RBNY West Coast trip. The winless streak is now at six:
youtu.be/FthAe7hCsLY
youtu.be/FthAe7hCsLY
Episode 667: The RBNY Winless Streak Reaches Six
YouTube video by Seeing Red: The NY Soccer Roundup
youtu.be
September 11, 2026 at 2:37 AM
@battista.bsky.social and @markfishkin.bsky.social are back to break down #RBNY West Coast trip. The winless streak is now at six:
youtu.be/FthAe7hCsLY
youtu.be/FthAe7hCsLY
Reposted by Michael Battista
The rebranded/relocated version of NYCFC II coming to Middlesex Co, NJ, hired its first club president today. We spoke to Brady O’Connor about the gig, building the new club from ground-up, working with NYCFC, and why this location was right for Hometown Soccer Holdings ⤵️
The new New Jersey MLS Next Pro team found its first president
Brady O'Connor, most recently of the NY/NJ 2026 World Cup host committee, will lead business operations as the Edison, New Jersey-based club prepares for its July 2027 debut.
www.nysoccerjournal.com
September 10, 2026 at 2:25 PM
The rebranded/relocated version of NYCFC II coming to Middlesex Co, NJ, hired its first club president today. We spoke to Brady O’Connor about the gig, building the new club from ground-up, working with NYCFC, and why this location was right for Hometown Soccer Holdings ⤵️
I’m not posting enough and that’s bothering me.
Even with real life happening, real job, I don’t think I’m doing enough.
Even with real life happening, real job, I don’t think I’m doing enough.
September 10, 2026 at 1:23 AM
I’m not posting enough and that’s bothering me.
Even with real life happening, real job, I don’t think I’m doing enough.
Even with real life happening, real job, I don’t think I’m doing enough.
Reposted by Michael Battista
They won’t have this scenic setup in Middlesex County. Hudson River Derby, MLS Next Pro version, under way here on Randall’s Island. One of the last before it becomes a full-on New Jersey Derby from 2027-on
September 8, 2026 at 9:09 PM
They won’t have this scenic setup in Middlesex County. Hudson River Derby, MLS Next Pro version, under way here on Randall’s Island. One of the last before it becomes a full-on New Jersey Derby from 2027-on
NEVERMIND SPORTS ARE GREAT
NEVER STOP THE FIGHT
RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT
NEVER STOP THE FIGHT
RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT
September 8, 2026 at 9:47 PM
NEVERMIND SPORTS ARE GREAT
NEVER STOP THE FIGHT
RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT
NEVER STOP THE FIGHT
RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT
My North American Soccer Reporters (NASR, @soccerreporters.bsky.social) MLS Player of the Week ballot - 2026 Matchday Twenty-four (24).
1: Vincent Janssen - Portland Timbers - #RCTID
2: Ethan Horvath - Red Bull New York - #RBNY
#NYCSN
@rdbullnationnyc.bsky.social
@stumptownfooty.bsky.social
1: Vincent Janssen - Portland Timbers - #RCTID
2: Ethan Horvath - Red Bull New York - #RBNY
#NYCSN
@rdbullnationnyc.bsky.social
@stumptownfooty.bsky.social
September 7, 2026 at 2:23 PM
My North American Soccer Reporters (NASR, @soccerreporters.bsky.social) MLS Player of the Week ballot - 2026 Matchday Twenty-four (24).
1: Vincent Janssen - Portland Timbers - #RCTID
2: Ethan Horvath - Red Bull New York - #RBNY
#NYCSN
@rdbullnationnyc.bsky.social
@stumptownfooty.bsky.social
1: Vincent Janssen - Portland Timbers - #RCTID
2: Ethan Horvath - Red Bull New York - #RBNY
#NYCSN
@rdbullnationnyc.bsky.social
@stumptownfooty.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Battista
I think it’s ok to just admit sports suck sometimes.
Losing faith in systems is natural.
Coping with it and accepting it will help you not hurt yourself.
Breathe in, life sucks, you can’t win against the powers that be.
Losing faith in systems is natural.
Coping with it and accepting it will help you not hurt yourself.
Breathe in, life sucks, you can’t win against the powers that be.
Did the Big Ten need to release their statement in the same font as the back of choose your own adventure books?
September 6, 2026 at 5:34 AM
I think it’s ok to just admit sports suck sometimes.
Losing faith in systems is natural.
Coping with it and accepting it will help you not hurt yourself.
Breathe in, life sucks, you can’t win against the powers that be.
Losing faith in systems is natural.
Coping with it and accepting it will help you not hurt yourself.
Breathe in, life sucks, you can’t win against the powers that be.
Cosmos lead Fort Wayne FC 2-0 at halftime after the visitors scored twice in the final moments of the first half.
That started with a banger Lamin Jawneh goal, almost a copy of the one he did Wednesday. Shamit Shome with his first USL League One assist.
cc: @nysoccerjournal.com
(Credit: USL L1)
That started with a banger Lamin Jawneh goal, almost a copy of the one he did Wednesday. Shamit Shome with his first USL League One assist.
cc: @nysoccerjournal.com
(Credit: USL L1)
September 6, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Cosmos lead Fort Wayne FC 2-0 at halftime after the visitors scored twice in the final moments of the first half.
That started with a banger Lamin Jawneh goal, almost a copy of the one he did Wednesday. Shamit Shome with his first USL League One assist.
cc: @nysoccerjournal.com
(Credit: USL L1)
That started with a banger Lamin Jawneh goal, almost a copy of the one he did Wednesday. Shamit Shome with his first USL League One assist.
cc: @nysoccerjournal.com
(Credit: USL L1)