New York City FC finally grabbed their first road win of 2025, a 1-0 win over Toronto FC thanks to a second half penalty conversion from Alonso Martinez. It was a stellar defensive showing from Pascal Jansen’s men who desperately needed a win to catapult their season.
It was a feisty first half with City getting the better quality chances but neither side showed any kind of will to take an early lead. Martinez had an effort in the 17th minute that was saved and Toronto’s star man Federico Bernadeschi had an effort blocked just before half time. Both teams entered the break having shown little in the way of winning the game but a stoutness defensively to frustrate the other side through physical play in the midfield.
Much of the same continued in the second half but it was in the 63rd minute when everything changed. Jonathan Osorio, captain of Toronto, caught Martinez on the back leg, bringing him down in the box. Martinez stepped up and buried his effort past former NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
From there the game opened up as Toronto chased an equalizer. A save from City keeper Matt Freese off of Theo Corbeanu kept the game level. The other way, Johnson kept the game at 1-0 with a frantic save off of an effort from substitute Julian Fernandez.
In the end, City were able to hold on for their first road win of the season. The points raise them momentarily into sixth place where they await results from Nashville, Orlando and New York Red Bulls. The win also lets head coach Pascal Jansen breathe a sigh of relief as the club shows their ability on the road in a tough environment.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; Gray, Haak, Martins, O’Toole (65′ Carvallo), Parks, Shore (79′ Risa), Moralez (78′ Perea), Wolf, Martinez (90′ Bakrar), Ojeda (65′ Fernandez)
Toronto FC: Johnson; Petretta, Long, Rosted, Thompson, Osorio, Dominguez (67′ Insigne), Flores (66′ Coello), Corbeanu, Bernadeschi (70′ Spicer), Sharp (88′ Longstaff)
SCORING SUMMARY:
64′ (New York City FC) Alonso Martinez (7) PK
DISCIPLINE:
21′ (Toronto FC) Deybi Flores – YELLOW CARD
22′ (New York City FC) Kevin O’Toole – YELLOW CARD
31′ (Toronto FC) Kevin Long – YELLOW CARD
71′ (New York City FC) Julian Fernandez – YELLOW CARD
90′ (New York City FC) Tayvon Gray – YELLOW CARD
photo by Jordan Bank