New York City FC's task: Keep New England winless and scoreless

Field Level Media|published: Fri 14th March, 21:27 2025

MLS: Philadelphia Union at New England Revolution

Mar 8, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution head coach Caleb Porter directs his players during the second half against the Philadelphia Union at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

A visit from struggling New England presents a seemingly solid opportunity for New York City FC to build on their first victory of the season.

NYCFC looks to keep the visiting Revolution winless -- and scoreless -- Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.

After totaling two goals in their first two matches, NYCFC (1-1-1, 4 points) won 2-1 over Orlando City in their home opener last weekend. Alonso Martinez scored early and Hannes Wolf's 71st-minute tiebreaker was the difference.

"We have to do better and be better than we were in the previous game in order to be successful again," NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen said. "So that's the thing that drives us."

Jansen, at least publicly, does not believe this will be an easy task against the Revolution (0-2-1 1 point), who have been outscored 3-0 to date.

"Our preparation doesn't change a bit," Jansen said. "New England have had a bad start to the season, unfortunately, so they'll be looking for a moment to recover."

The Revolution, who fell 2-0 to Philadelphia last weekend, are looking to avoid losing their first four matches for a second consecutive campaign. At the moment, coach Caleb Porter isn't fretting.

"We're three games into a season ... and we've got a bunch of new players," Porter said. "We need time. I'm very confident in this group. I'm very confident that we're close."

New England has recorded 23 shots through three matches, but just five on target. Leonardo Campana and Max Urruti have accounted for four of those shots on goal. Meanwhile, Revs star Carles Gil, who owns 41 career MLS goals in seven seasons, has yet to post a shot on frame.

"The team is growing a lot. A lot of opportunities to play," New England midfielder Jackson Yueill said. "It's a long season and everybody believes in this group."

Meanwhile, Martinez has scored half of NYCFC's four goals this season. That's after he recorded 17 during his breakout 2024 campaign with the club.

New York City outscored New England 3-0 while winning both meetings last season.

--Field Level Media

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