BRONX, NY — To say NYCFC was satisfied with a 1-1 draw against a mediocre Toronto Football Club is out of the question. At Yankee Stadium Friday evening, there was nothing to be satisfied about in their third MLS league match after the 2026 FIFA World Cup hiatus.
It wasn’t ugly but could have been better. NYCFC had some opportunities to score but something was missing and it was evident. If it weren’t for a goal from midfielder Nicólas Fernández off a penalty at the eight-minute mark, more dissatisfaction would have been the word.
Nico Fernández recorded his 13th goal of the season and fourth on penalties at the eight-minute mark of Friday night’s match vs. Toronto FC at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports
He leads the team with 13 goals and six of Fernández’s 13 goals have come from set pieces, including four penalties and two free kicks. He is now tied for first in the MLS Golden Boot race with FC Dallas forward Petar Musa and Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers.
However, forget about awards at this point. Again, it’s the three points in MLS’ Eastern Conference standings that won’t show. Rather the disappointment and a team not satisfied as NYCFC prepares next for their next journey in the Leagues Cup that begins Thursday, August 6th at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
NYCFC and Toronto FC each put five shots on goal with goalkeepers Matt Freese and Luka Gavran compiling five saves a apiece – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports
But this draw was not in the game plan for coach Pascal Jansen and his team. You could sense the frustration in their comments, this was not a must win though every chance to gain three points in the standings instead of one is significant. They know it can be better and with an early lead, there has to be better ways to score more and have added leverage for a clean win.
“We are working toward being that good that if you dominate until that penalty is there, you should be dominating afterward as well,” said Jansen. “So you have to keep a high rhythm of play. I thought we slowed things down. We gave Toronto FC way too big of a piece of the game after we scored the penalty. In the second half, we tried to make it more intense, play a little fast.”
NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen speaking to members of the press after Friday night’s draw with Toronto FC at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports
The rhythm of play was obvious, NYCFC was not taking control. As a team, they did not dominate after the penalty and in result provided Toronto with more confidence. Jansen was asked about more playing time for his young midfielder Jonathan Shore who has started all three games after the break. He had opportunities and of course no satisfaction from that position on the pitch.
“(During the) first half, I didn’t see Johnny Shore that I see during the week,” Jansen said. “He plays with a lot of intensity with a lot of bravery on the ball. We’re working on his intensity without possession so we can challenge also and get it stuck into jewels and stuff like that, even though he’s not like a big guy.”
However there is confidence that the 19-year-old Shore will eventually become a star in the MLS, and perhaps that will come. But there was dissatisfaction and the Leagues Cup could provide some adjustments prior to the resumption of the MLS schedule.
Jonathan Shore and NYCFC, with Leagues Cup approaching, must learn from Friday night’s draw in the Bronx by going back to the drawing board – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports
“We should have got three points, especially at home,” said Jansen. “We didn’t have our game go our way today. We took our foot off the gas after the pen and that is something that surprises me because you see how we started from the break.”
Indeed, it didn’t go their way. Fernández was later pulled for a sub and that raised a question. And Shore could have been better, but every game is a lesson. Jansen alluded to the Leagues Cup and the struggle against Toronto was a lesson to prepare in what NYCFC considers a tournament—one that is significant and intense.
“Dissatisfied we’re at home, we’ve been in good form. To drop points, I think we’re all pretty upset about that,” said midfielder James Sands who has returned from an 18-month loan from USMNT Rangers FC.
Following Friday night’s draw in the Bronx, NYCFC now stands 7-5-6 with 26 points, putting them right in the middle of the MLS Eastern Conference Standings – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports
Though NYCFC retained their unbeaten streak against Toronto in their last seven matches with a 6-1-6 record at home scoring 28 goals, this was not satisfying. They know it has to get better as they dominated the second half with a string of chances.
Said midfielder Andrés Perea through a translator: “The focus is now on the Leagues Cup. There are three matches coming up against important teams, so we have to take advantage of the fact that we are unbeaten in the last three matches, even with the draw today and keep working to compete against them.”
NYCFC midfielder Andrés Perea said after Friday’s match at Yankee Stadium that the team’s focus is now on the Leagues Cup – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports
But NYCFC knows they needed this for three points, significant in their run to their second MLS Cup.
Disappointing, yes it was.
Time to adjust and improve as Jansen assures it will transpire to satisfaction.
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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