New York City FC unveiled their plans for installing a temporary pitch at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Richard Drew / AP
New York City FC unveiled their plans for installing a temporary pitch at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Richard Drew / AP
New York City FC unveiled their plans for installing a temporary pitch at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Richard Drew / AP
New York City FC unveiled their plans for installing a temporary pitch at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Richard Drew / AP

Sport

Man City MLS club New York City FC to play at Yankee Stadium

Manchester City-owned New York City FC announced on Monday they will play their home games during their inaugural season at Yankee Stadium.

Associated Press

April 22, 2014

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New York City FC will play homes games at Yankee Stadium during their first season in 2015.

Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said at a news conference Monday he anticipated the upper deck would be closed off, leaving capacity at 33,444, down from the ballpark’s baseball capacity of 49,642.

Trost said it will take three days to convert the field from baseball to football, although in a rush it could be cut to 2.5, and the same amount of time to switch it back. The pitcher’s mound will be removed each time with a clawlike structure, stored and replaced.

The pitch, which runs from the first-base dugout to left field, will be 110 by 70 yards, slightly shorter and narrower than the preferred 115-by-74 yards. NYCFC is working on plans to build a permanent football-specific home in New York City and haven’t given a timetable for how long they will play at Yankee Stadium.

Retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera attended the news conference in his role as NYCFC’s first season-ticket holder.

NYCFC, co-owned by Manchester City and the Yankees, join MLS next year along with Orlando as the league expands to 21 teams. Atlanta join the league in 2017 and David Beckham has been given a Miami team that will start play at an unspecified date.

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