Despite missing critical starters, New York City FC got revenge over Atlanta United FC, winning 4-0 in former coach Ronny Deila's return to the Bronx.
Maxi Moralez came up big with his second goal in five games before New York City scored three goals in five minutes to blow the match wide open after 59 minutes, the fastest three-goal spree in team history.
With Alonso Martínez and Matt Freese, arguably NYCFC's two best players this season, away on international duty, Pascal Jansen's side had an uphill battle against a strong Atlanta United squad. New York City learned from the past mistakes of the 4-3 debacle in Georgia, coming away with all three points at Yankee Stadium.
Here are 3 Thoughts on Thursday's emphatic victory on Pride Night in the Bronx.
1. Another big Maxi moment
At 38 years old, not many people expected Maxi Moralez to be the starting No. 10 midway through the 2025 MLS season. Yet, here we are.
Though the Argentine hasn't been as impactful as fans may have hoped, Moralez came up big Thursday night, grabbing just his second goal of the season to dispatch Atlanta. It was his second goal in five games, with his first coming in the 2-0 over the Red Bulls on May 17 at Citi Field.
Though the squad is still crying out for reinforcement by way of another attacking midfielder, Moralez continues to prove that he still can contribute in big moments when the club needs him most.
He even hit the signature celebration of his compatriot and former teammate Taty Castellanos, who activated the smokestacks as the club's honored guest before kickoff.
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) June 13, 2025
2. Wolf (finally) hits his stride
Hannes Wolf has figured it out, folks, and just in time. After a brace away at Nashville earned a point on the road on May 31, Wolf followed up that display with his best match to date for New York City FC.
The Austrian assisted Maxi for the opener at the end of the first half, before grabbing a brace in under 90 seconds as New York City exploded to life in the second half, good for a 9.3 rating on Fotmob and the Player of the Match award handed out by the team postgame.
This was Wolf's third, yes third, brace of the season, having scored twice last match vs Nashville SC, as well as in the reverse fixture vs Atlanta in March. Wolf now has eight goals and two assists in 2025 and is the first NYC player to hit 10 goal contributions this season, before even Alonso Martínez.
The biggest critique of Wolf's game has been his inconsistency in front of the goal since arriving in the Big Apple back in January 2024. It's fair to say that the Austrian is starting to figure it out in Year Two in Skyscraper Blue. With Martínez struggling to shoulder the goalscoring burden all on his own, Wolf is finding his form at the perfect time.
With goals from Mounsef Bakrar (55’) and Hannes Wolf (57’, 59’), New York City FC scored three goals in a five-minute span for the first time in club history and just the 11th time in a single half in league history.
— MLS Communications (@mls-pr.bsky.social) June 12, 2025 at 9:45 PM
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3. Bakrar finding his confidence?
With Martínez away on international duty with Costa Rica at the Gold Cup, Mounsef Bakrar earned his first start since the 1-0 US Open Cup loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and the Algerian striker showed up.
Playing 78 minutes, Bakrar bagged his second goal of the season, a sweet first-time strike from the edge of the box right into the top right corner past Atlanta's Brad Guzan. In typical Bakrar fashion, it came just seconds after squandering a one-on-one by firing straight at Guzan, but he won't care after scoring.
TOP BINS FROM THE BAKMANNNN 🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/ARmk4EQ7Sl
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) June 13, 2025
Midway through May, Bakrar had attempted just six shots all season. Now, the Algerian has two goals in his last four matches. With Martínez set to remain away from the squad until Costa Rica exits the Gold Cup, these next few matches could be massive opportunities for Bakrar to prove he still belongs at New York City.
If he continues to find the net with conviction like he did Thursday, then Jansen can breathe easy knowing his depth in the attack is finally starting to click into gear.
Hudson River Blue Staff
