New York City FC impressively defeated a red-hot FC Cincinnati at Citi Field on Sunday afternoon, earning its second straight win and second straight clean sheet.
NYCFC ended Cincinnati's five-game winning streak and jumped up from 10th to 7th place in the Eastern Conference through Matchday 11.
Here are five thoughts from New York City's fifth win of the season and second straight at Citi Field.
1. An interesting lineup
With Kevin O'Toole and Mitja Ilenič out due to injury, Pascal Jansen heavily experimented with NYCFC's lineup against Cincinnati, and it worked.
Nico Cavallo did not get the start at left-back, as Jansen opted to play Hannes Wolf as a very attacking wingback.
Andrés Perea, who had only played 82 total minutes before Sunday's match due to injury, earned his first start of the season on the left wing, often tucking inside to make room for Wolf.
After starting the last three games, Agustín Ojeda was dropped in place of Julián Fernández, recording his first start since the 1-2 home loss to Minnesota United FC.
The lineup took another hit in the 26th minute when an injured Keaton Parks was taken off for Birk Risa. Justin Haak, who started as left-center-back, moved to the midfield in Parks's spot, and Risa slotted in Haak's former spot in defense next to Thiago Martins.
2. Someone other than Alonso Martínez scores
Alonso Martínez had scored NYCFC's only goals in the last three matches, two game-winners. Besides Hannes Wolf's three goals — two of which came against Atlanta United — no other New York City FC player had more than one goal.
Fernández entered today's match with one goal and two assists, and once again showed why he should be a starter, scoring his second goal of the season in fine fashion.
Maxi Moralez played a pass to the edge of the box, which deflected off Miles Robinson's foot. Fernández struck it first-time with his left foot and placed it past Roman Celentano.
PICTURE PEFECT PLACEMENT FROM JULI 💫 pic.twitter.com/8KonI7qaCh
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) May 4, 2025
NYCFC scored in the 9th minute, its quickest goal of the season, as it went into the break leading for the first time this year.
3. Another penalty miss for Alonso Martínez
Martínez had a chance to give New York City a 2-0 lead in the 12th minute, stepping up to the spot for his fourth penalty of the season. But Martínez's kick was poor, rifling off the right post and out for his second penalty miss of the season.
With Santiago Rodríguez serving as the penalty taker last season, Martínez took the role this year, but it hasn't been great. Despite Martínez usually being so clinical, going 2-for-4 from the spot this season is concerning.
Perhaps it's time to give the role to someone like Fernández or Wolf? You could say Moralez, but he's had his fair share of troubles from the spot already.
4. The defense gets the job done
Cincinnati had two players with six goals this season: Kevin Denkey and Evander. But New York City got the job done, keeping the duo quiet for its second straight clean sheet and third overall.
Denkey did not register a shot and only had 33 touches. Evander put none of his three shots on target and created just one chance.
5. A chance for three straight wins?
After defeating Toronto FC 0-1 and Cincinnati 1-0, NYCFC has a real chance to extend its winning streak next Saturday against CF Montréal, which remains winless this season and sits rock bottom of the Eastern Conference.
It feels like a trap game, but if New York City was able to handle Cincinnati today, it should be a much easier task against a Montréal offense that has only scored five goals this season.
That would set NYCFC up nicely for the rest of May, which features just two road games and four home games — three of which are consecutive.
Hudson River Blue Staff
