New York City FC head coach Pascal Jansen indicated that he wants an improved performance when they travel to Columbus Crew this weekend, despite beating the New England Revolution 2-1 previous time-out.
Back-to-back has closed that result for NYCFC in MLS, who were also their first two victories of the season. Jansen are away from home, where they have earned only one point in two games.
“I was not completely satisfied with the performance in general [last time out] Because I thought we were too sloppy and the possession too quickly, lost too quickly, “he said.
“So, then it becomes a game that goes up and down, and they try to get us in broad areas with crosses. Controlling the ball is what we are looking for.
“There is still a lot of work to do.”
Julian Fernandez and Alonso Martinez scored the goals to reverse the game against New England last time and according to Jansen they were only rewards for the hard work that NYCFC has applied.
“I see them training every day and they work so hard to improve themselves. That is the culture, we form together, never satisfied,” he said.
“That's something that these guys have in their DNA.”
That hard -working, energetic attitude is something that Jansen wants his team to replicate in the future, starting their journey to Columbus.
“We try to play with a lot of energy and a lot of intensity on and next to the ball. If your opponent's mistakes forcose, they will probably play long or direct balls,” he said.
“To control that moment, you must be good in the air and arrange the second or third situation that comes from that air duel.
“My boys understand this principle that we are trying to drill in … It is part of our strategy.”
Back on the road pic.twitter.com/60zqj2qoln
– New York City FC (@NewYorkCityFC) March 19, 2025
Players to watch
Columbus Crew – Diego Rossi
No Columbus player is on average more shots per game than Diego Rossi, who has taken 2.3 per game so far in his four performances.
The Uruguayan is also right with Jacen Russell-Rowe as the top scorer of the crew on two for the season.
New York City FC – Julian Fernandez
This season Martinez scored three goals in the first four MLS matches of NYCFC, but he will miss their match against Columbus while he has international service at Costa Rica.
That will open the door for Julian Fernandez to step into place. He already has one goal and one helps this term, making the equalizer the previous time -out against the touring time out.
Match forecast – Columbus Crew Win
Columbus has only lost one of their 14 games against New York City FC in all competitions (W8 D5), with that defeat in the regular 2017 season.
Since that defeat, the crew has won seven of their 10 home games against New York.
Columbus is also unbeaten in their opening of four games of the 2025 season for the fifth time in eight years. With two wins and two draws, they are third in the east.
NYCFC has now taken only one point of their opening two road this season, which means that they have won only one of their last 13 on the road in MLS.
Opta wins probability
Columbus Crew – 61.2%
Drawing – 20.5%
New York City FC – 18.4%
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