New York City FC can bask in their glory this week, having handed their cross-river rivals New York Red Bulls a 2-0 loss at Citi Field over the weekend. The win was marked by their first multi-goal win in 2025 and a full 90 minute performance by the entire team. While this is definitely something to celebrate, head coach Pascal Jansen knows that there is still more to improve on.
“If you look at the first half, I think we should have already scored two or three goals,” said Jansen about his team’s efforts against Red Bulls. “That’s somewhat of a habit of ours this season, missing chances. I’m happy with the second goal because it also gave us a bit of rest. My team was very determined to keep a clean sheet as well, so I’m happy with both.”
City, despite facing injuries and rotation, have proven to be one of the strongest defensive teams in the Eastern Conference. The clean sheet is their seventh of the season, tying them for the third best record based on goals allowed in the entire league. City’s issues have come on offense where the entire output has come through their star striker Alonso Martinez. This game didn’t quell that issue but showed how versatile he can be by assisting in the game’s second goal.
“One of our principles is forcing mistakes on opponents by the intensity that we play, in possession and out of possession. We try to go forward as fast as we can because then Alonso (Martinez) or Juli (Fernandez), or Maxi (Moralez), or Hannes (Wolf) will be in a good space, in a good position to go forward. I’m really happy for Alonso. After missing a few chances in previous games, that he got it in the back of the net.”
The win also capped off a tough stretch where the team played five game since the start of the month. It began with two tough losses to FC Cincinnati and then to the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds. However the results turned and the team has garnered points in their last three games, wins over Red Bulls and CF Montreal, and a draw against DC United.
The team will return to Yankee Stadium this coming Sunday to play against a revamped Chicago Fire. The club hopes to make the holiday season a joyous one as they hope to make it their third win in four games. It will be a test as new coach Gregg Berhalter has the Fire playing better than in recent years and City are looking to punt the criticism of being an inconsistent club.
photo by Jordan Bank