FLUSHING, NY — In stepped NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy because Pascal Jansen had to take a leave this week with a personal matter.
Did that change the strategy for NYCFC Wednesday evening at Citi Field?
Apparently there were no significant changes except NYCFC saw the return of Alonso Martínez. The striker had no impact on the final outcome vs. New England Revolution as they are called scored early with a decisive late stoppage goal to ultimately decide the match.
A 2-1 final in Queens and yet another setback for NYCFC.
New York City Football Club fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against the New England Revolution at Citi Field – Image Credit: New York City Football Club
The loss placed NYCFC ninth in the Eastern Conference (7-9-8, 29 points). What’s ahead is the stretch run of their schedule that appears to be a fight for playoff position in a quest for the MLS Cup.
Carles Gil’s first-half penalty gave the visitors the lead before Luighi equalized from close range after the break.
The Boys in Blue pushed for a needed win, but Daniel Gazdag struck deep into stoppage time to secure all three points for New England.
At first disappointment became an opinion and evident with a minimum of NYCFC players commenting in the postgame pen near their locker room. A win that came close since the defense kept it close as lack of striking and scoring opportunities on the pitch was more evident in the first half.
However don’t blame Ballouchy, the second time taking control of NYCFC having been in the role up in Montreal back in late June when Jansen took a leave. He has the reports and knowledge of the starting lineup.
A draw seemed possible, that was until the stoppage goal which has been a culprit for NYCFC dating back to last season. If playoffs are in their plan, the goals need to come. Then again Pascal and his assistant don’t control the ball.
“I think the team is a bit deflated right now, which is normal. It was a last-minute goal, and it felt like 1-1 was where the game was headed,” Ballouchy said. “We even felt like we might find ourselves on the right side of it. At the moment, when things get really tight for us and really difficult, we have to make decisions while we’re tired, and those plays become very difficult.”
He said it’s more often the team is still finding an identity but on the wrong side resulting in two losses and consecutive draws in their last four.
“It could be a few things, and that’s obviously a conversation for everybody. But I think the group knows we have 10 playoff games starting with the next one, and we’re still there,” he said. “It’s a quick turnaround to the Real Salt Lake game on Saturday, so we just have to move on as quickly as possible and look ahead to the next one.”
And it has to be the next one because it’s that crucial time for NYCFC. Three points in the standings will help their possible playoff cause while a draw and one point may not be enough.
So what is the answer? More striking and attack on the pitch. And leading scorer Nico Fernández Mercau who recorded two assists has to have an opportunity to see the net.
In NYCFC’s 2-1 loss to New England Revolution Wednesday night at Citi Field, Midfielder Nico Fernández Mercau recorded his seventh assist of the 2026 MLS Regular Season, tying Forward Agustín Ojeda for the team lead this year – Image Credit: New York City Football Club
A lot of factors to consider with little turnaround and taking that cross country flight to Utah. Perhaps when Pascal returns, there will be changes. The coach always seems to find a way, counting on contributions from the entire roster submitted prior to match time.
Regardless NYCFC has to have that approach now of desperation though there is still time to turn this around.
“You just need a moment, you need a spark, and then you can take that into the playoffs,” said forward James Sands as goalkeeper Matt Freese recorded four saves.
“Talked a little bit about winning in 2021 (MLS Cup). We were below the playoff line with five or six games to go, and then we had a moment. So, you don’t really know where it’s going to come from, but I think we all have to step up and try to create that moment.”
Next up for New York City Football Club is a meeting on the road with Real Salt Lake this Saturday, September 12 – Image Credit: New York City Football Club
Then NYCFC had that ability with MLS “Golden Boot” winner Valentín Castellanos who was instrumental in their run to the Cup. They don’t appear to have found that similar player who can make a difference, again perhaps NYCFC as a team is still in that cycle of finding themselves in this crucial stretch.
One game separates NYCFC from sitting eighth in the conference and not much separated from others above them.
“It’s still all to play for,” Sands said. “ We’re not in a great spot, but all the teams are close, so we’ve just got to keep pushing and go again on Saturday.”
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X:@Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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