New York City FC returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time since April 6 and lost 0-1 to CF Montréal, which entered Saturday night's game winless and at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Midfielder Aiden O'Neill's debut was spoiled by the upset loss — a game that NYCFC should've won comfortably, especially after winning its last two games at home against stronger opponents: Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati.
Here are four thoughts from the lackluster defeat in the Bronx.
1. The Aiden O'Neill debut
With Keaton Parks sidelined due to a lingering foot injury, this perfectly made way for O'Neill to make his NYCFC debut. The Australian midfielder officially joined the club from Standard de Liège on April 25, but didn't arrive in New York until Thursday.
With James Sands leaving for Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli before suffering a season-ending injury, New York City has lacked a true defensive midfielder, but Jonny Shore has handled the No. 6 duties well despite being just 18 years old.
O'Neill was subbed off in the 62nd minute but made the most of his debut. He completed 84 percent of his passes — seven into the final third — won four of his six duels, had one clearance, and recorded three recoveries. A double-pivot of O'Neill and Shore worked, but it'll be interesting to see how O'Neill and Parks play once together in the lineup.
Hudson River Blue Staff
2. Alonso Martinez's poor finishing
Alonso Martínez missed his second penalty of the season against FC Cincinnati last week. He also uncharacteristically put just two of his six shots on target, missing several big chances which would've put the game to bed earlier. He also only completed just three of his 13 passes.
Those similar shooting struggles were seen from Martínez tonight. He missed a huge chance in the first half on a breakaway, as Montréal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois did enough to force Martínez into a rushed shot that he put wide.
The Costa Rican hasn't scored a goal from open play in four matches and isn't living up to his El Clínico nickname from a season ago.
3. Left side exposed
Montréal scored only five goals in 11 matches heading into Saturday night, but the offense had a consistent game plan: Attack New York City's left side and target the inexperienced left-back Nico Cavallo.
Matt Freese made three big saves in the first half to keep Montréal out, but couldn't do anything on Prince Osei Owusu's shot in the 48th minute, his third goal of the season and Montréal's sixth.
Cavallo — a third-round 2025 MLS SuperDraft pick from UCLA — has done a solid job filling in for Kevin O'Toole when needed, but he's still developing and adjusting to the professional level.
It's clear NYCFC needs another left-back in the summer transfer window, preferably someone with more experience.
4. Trapped by the trap game
After Wednesday's ugly loss to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the US Open Cup, it felt like NYCFC would comfortably bounce back against a winless Montréal.
New York City had won its last five home games against Montréal and hadn't lost at home to the latter since August 1, 2015, but that streak was snapped on Saturday night.
It felt eerily similar to the 2-0 road defeat to New England on April 19. New England had yet to score from open play through the first seven games but ended that drought against NYCFC and dominated from start to finish at Gillette Stadium.
New York City struggles to take advantage of games against weaker opponents and often lacks the needed intensity, especially offensively. Head Coach Pascal Jansen said during the preseason that he wanted NYCFC to have a "bulletproof mindset," but that is yet to be seen.
