New York City FC have had a roller coaster start to the 2025 season and last week’s 4-3 loss to Atlanta United exemplified everything good and bad about the current team. New head coach Pascal Jansen has had to manage expectations in a big market alongside a team that is still young and looking to continue their growth.
“There are definitely a few things going on after the 60 minute mark,” said Jansen about the team’s performances. “We still have to grow in that phase of the game. Conceding goals late in games has our attention. It’s part of game management.”
Atlanta last week showed just what happens in the final 30 minutes of games in 2025. City were strong through the first 60 minutes, putting Atlanta on the back foot and producing dangerous opportunities. That paid off in the second half when they scored two quick goals to give themselves a comfortable final stretch. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out for the club as not only did they concede two quick efforts but eventually surrendered all points with a late goal.
While much can be made of the team’s inability to defend late in games, it is also their lack of sharpness in the offensive third that has cost them crucial points. City’s leading scorer Alonso Martinez has been clinical but, without him on the field, the team lacks a serious bite. Substitutes like Mounsef Bakrar haven’t been able to provide even a fraction of the production the team needs to hold off opposition late in games.
“We need to understand what phase we’re in and make sure we don’t concede,” said Jansen. “The away game against Columbus is a good example. We were under pressure throughout the match. But the team was very unified in making sure we didn’t concede. We should have carried that same mentality into the final 30 minutes against Atlanta.”
The team’s overall build has also been called into question. With James Sands injured after a stint in Germany, City has relied on Justin Haak as both a central defensive midfielder and as a center back. While players like Jonathan Shore have filled in the gaps, the lack of depth means that the team has few options late in games. That also carries over to the offensive side of the game where Agustin Ojeda, Bakrar and Andres Perea have done most of the lifting when the team needs new legs off the bench.
In many ways this has made NYCFC an easier team to prepare for. While their ability when sharp is unquestioned, it has yet to manifest itself into a 90 minute performance. That is something that head coach Jansen is hoping will change against stiff opposition this Sunday with Minnesota United.
“Every team develops over time,” said Jansen of his weekend opponents. “They’re further along than they were in our preseason match. It’s clear their strategy has been very successful heading into game number seven. For us, the big challenge is making sure we take away the part of the game where they’ve found the most success.”
Success for NYC has come at Yankee Stadium in 2025 where they’ve garnered seven of their eight points this season. While Minnesota has been formidable, it is City’s confidence in the Bronx that should help Jansen and the team plug some of the holes they’ve seen in late performances thus far.
photo by Jordan Bank