New York City FC have won their second straight home game thanks to a second half goal by Alonso Martinez to defeat New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium on a cold Saturday night. The team played decisive attacking football, leaving New England with few chances and more questions on how poorly their season has begun.
City controlled possession and the chances early in the first half. Keaton Parks’ header was saved just nine minutes into the game, setting the tone for Pascal Jansen’s men. The game appeared poised for City to take the lead but it was an own goal from captain Thiago Martins that made the game a tense affair. City responded back in a timely manner as Hannes Wolf found Julian Fernandez in the 38th minute to draw level and sent both teams into halftime with a share of points.
City continued to push for the win in the second half, with New England left scrambling for substitutions that did little to change the direction of the game. It was eventually Martinez who solidified the win with his third goal of the season in the 68th minute.
New England did find their legs late in the contest, pushing for an equalizer in stoppage time but were unable to find the quality needed to get a goal. Thus far New England still remains without a goal from a field player in 2025. For City, it is a second straight win and a galvanizing performance for Jansen who is still finding his legs in Major League Soccer.
Next week City will take to the road as they travel to Ohio to play the Columbus Crew. Their seven points through four games sees them close to the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference. A win next week over the Crew could be what makes them contenders in the early part of the campaign.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; Ilenic, Martins, Haak, Cavallo (29′ Risa), Parks, Shore (67′ Tanasijevic), Moralez, Fernandez (67′ Ojeda), Martinez, Wolf (82′ Bakrar)
New England Revolution: Ivacic; Bye, Ceballos, Fofana, Sands (75′ Feingold), Yusuf (86′ Espinosa), Yueill, Polster (76′ Buck), Gil, Urruti (71′ Langoni), Ganago
SCORING SUMMARY:
26′ (New England Revolution) Thiago Martins (1) own goal
38′ (New York City FC) Julian Fernandez (1) assisted by Hannes Wolf
68′ (New York City FC) Alonso Martinez (3) unassisted
DISCIPLINE:
61′ (New York City FC) Jonathan Shore – YELLOW CARD
90′ (New York City FC) Keaton Parks – YELLOW CARD
90′ (New England Revolution) Ilay Feingold – YELLOW CARD
photo by Jordan Bank