We’re five games into the 2025 Major League Soccer season, and New York City FC sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, with eight points after compiling a record of 2W-2D-1L.
While that might not seem all that impressive, especially when compared to the 12 points amassed by Supporters' Shield-leading Philadelphia Union, it ranks among the strongest starts to a season in the history of the club.
New York City FC | Results Through Matchday 5
| Year | W | D | L | Pts | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | -1 |
| 2021 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -4 |
| 2019 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -4 |
| 2018 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 6 |
| 2017 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
New York City's start to the 2025 season trails only 2018, when the team earned 13 points through Matchday 5 (and were undefeated through Matchday 8), and 2021, when the squad also earned eight points but scored 10 goals while allowing just four.
Young, inexperienced squad getting it done
Even more impressive, Head Coach Pascal Jansen earned these results while fielding one of the most imbalanced squads to ever fill New York City’s gameday lineup cards.
Last week, NYCFC ground out a scoreless away draw with three 17-year-olds on the field at the closing whistle, two of whom made their MLS debut that night.
Compare that to a 2018 team coached by Patrick Vieira, which featured David Villa in the attack, and a (relativity) youthful Maxi Moralez paired with Alexander Ring in midfield. NYCFC added Anton Tinnerholm and Ishmael Tajouri-Shradi that offseason, bringing even more firepower to an already potent offense.
Or to the 2021 squad under Ronny Deila, which starred Taty Castellanos as striker, and Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens in defense. That version of New York City, which had arguably the best goal-scorer and top center-back pairing in the league, went on to win the title.
Bulletproof mindset?
Jansen instead is doing it with a roster that lost key players in the offseason and one that is depleted by injuries.
Just look closer at the team that suited up for the Columbus match last week. The game ended with five unused subs still on the bench: Two goalkeepers (one who has yet to make his MLS debut, the other who has yet to play for NYCFC), two defenders (one who has yet to make his professional debut), and one midfielder (16-year-old Peter Molinari, who has yet to make his MLS debut).
But Jansen’s players found a way to hold Columbus scoreless. Give credit to the "bulletproof mindset" the head coach spoke of in his first preseason press conference. This version of New York City might not yet have the tools to dominate the run of play like we’ve seen in past years, but they're hard to beat. NYCFC's lone loss this year came on the road against LAFC, when the hosts capitalized on a poor clearance to score a game-winner in the 86th minute. Even if New York City don’t dazzle in possession, they can frustrate the opposition.
Slow start is par for the course
Besides, New York City rarely begin the year with a streaking start. In recent seasons, the early spring was used as a time for the team to find their footing.
The question remains: Will additions be made to this squad before the transfer window closes in a little more than three weeks on April 23? Jansen has worked wonders with the players available to him, and the experience gained by the team’s debutants will give this generation of teenage prospects opportunities to develop over the course of the season. But you can't field a competitive team in MLS if 50% of your bench on gameday is eligible for a U-18 league.
What will happen to the roster is a decision for Sporting Director David Lee to make. Until more transfer news comes through, let's take a moment to appreciate what this young, inexperienced, injury-plagued squad accomplished in their first five games this year.
