New York City FC looked dysfunctional in a 2-0 loss to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night.
New England, which had one of the worst offenses in MLS heading into tonight's game, looked confident and threatening in every attack, while NYCFC's defense looked disorganized.
With New York City losing its fifth game of the season and sliding down toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference, here are three reactions to tonight's road defeat.
Hudson River Blue Staff
1. Martínez, Bakrar striker duo doesn't work
One of the first things Head Coach Pascal Jansen tried out when he joined NYCFC was playing Alonso Martínez and Mounsef Bakrar on the pitch together in a 3-1 preseason win over San Diego. Martínez played on the left, and Bakrar played up top, combining for a goal.
We then saw it for the first time this season against LAFC, with Bakrar on the left wing and Martínez up top. Spoiler alert: It didn't work.
Tonight, against New England, Jansen decided to try it out again, but it failed again. Playing in a 4-3-3 formation, Bakrar started on the right wing and tracked back to help defensively, but didn't offer much when New York City attacked.
Unlike what we saw early last season, Bakrar failed to get into scoring positions and link up with his teammates. Martínez had a quiet night as well, but almost scored what would've been an impressive solo goal in the first half.
It's safe to say that Jansen is better off playing Hannes Wolf as a winger instead of a midfielder; the latter is what we saw tonight. This dropped Keaton Parks to the bench, and NYCFC desperately needed his presence in the first half.
Bakrar may bring energy, but he's better off as a late substitute when fresh legs are needed. Julián Fernández is someone who could start on the right wing instead — a more natural winger who can contribute to the attack.
Jansen's experiment failed, but it didn't entirely cost New York City the three points tonight.
2. Defensive blunders
The same backline that earned a clean sheet against Philadelphia last week lined up against New England, which had yet to score a goal from open play in seven games.
But New England came out and pressed NYCFC, forcing mistakes and turnovers. New York City looked disorganized and lacked communication, and New England punished, scoring its first goal from open play of the season right before halftime. Former Inter Miami CF striker Leonardo Campana became the first New England player not named Carles Gil to score this season.
Leo Campana gives @NERevolution the lead just before the break!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 20, 2025
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/YnRfVZqA5u pic.twitter.com/AQTnTnh7Mr
The defense looked even worse on New England's second goal, which came from a corner. NYCFC left several New England players wide open, but Ignatius Ganago was the one to tap in Carles Gil's cross.
Ignatius Ganago puts it away and the @NERevolution double their lead! pic.twitter.com/7ZVKEbHprM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 20, 2025
A team that had the worst offense in MLS looked threatening on every attack against New York City. NYCFC's rotating backline — which has seen Birk Risa shuffle in and out of the lineup due to form — still looks poor and questionable. Thiago Martins is inconsistent, and Justin Haak is still playing away from his main position.
New York City needs another reliable center-back, preferably left-footed, but it will likely have to wait until the summer.
3. Injured players return
New York City was without Tayvon Gray, Andrés Perea, and Nico Cavallo for at least the last month due to injury. The trio returned and came on in the second half, adding some much-needed energy to a lifeless NYCFC. Gray was responsible for one of New York City's two shots on target, while he also picked up a yellow card.
The three also bring depth back to the squad. Cavallo and Gray are solid fullback options and Perea slots into the midfield nicely. With the MLS Primary Transfer Window closing on April 23, it's highly possible that New York City will not sign any more players. The team lacks depth, but getting back three first-team starters is crucial.
