New York City FC celebrated the 10th anniversary of their inaugural home match by defeating the New England Revolution 2-1 at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night, March 15, 2025. The game not only marked the anniversary of NYCFC's first home game, but it also showcased the team's resilience as they overcame early adversity against their struggling opponents.
The Revolution entered the match having not scored any goals this season, having only one point from their first three games. They took the lead when NYCFC’s Thiago Martins inadvertently scored an own goal, redirecting a low cross from New England’s Brandon Bye past goalkeeper Matt Freese. It was the Revs' first goal of the season, breaking their 296-minute scoreless streak, and the NYCFC supporters voiced their discontent with audible boos.
Yet, NYCFC quickly responded. Just before halftime, Julián Fernández found the equalizer from close range. The goal came as part of a fast counterattack, initiated by Hannes Wolf, who sprinted up the field and assisted Fernández, who coolly slotted the ball past Revolution goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic. This momentum shift was pivotal as it leveled the score to 1-1.
After halftime, the game remained competitive, with both teams vying for the upper hand. NYCFC saw their chances increase as they dominated possession and maintained pressure. The breakthrough came when Keaton Parks unleashed a well-placed shot from just outside the box; Ivacic made a tremendous save, but Alonso Martínez was perfectly positioned to volley the rebound home, marking his moment of brilliance and giving NYCFC the lead. This goal, which came just after the hour mark at the 68th minute, not only secured the win for NYCFC but was also undoubtedly the highlight of the match.
With this victory, NYCFC improved their record to 2-1-1 and collected seven points, moving them up the Eastern Conference standings. Conversely, the Revolution fell to 0-3-1, still searching for their first win of the season. The win at home marks the second consecutive victory for NYCFC, which could be seen as a significant step forward for the side this early season.
Both teams faced challenges throughout the match; NYCFC had to adjust following the injury of their new fullback, Nico Cavallo, who made his first career start but was forced off the pitch before the half, replaced by Birk Risa. This change placed additional pressure on the defense, but NYCFC's backline managed to hold off New England's attempts to equalize.
Cavallo was part of a young NYCFC lineup, boasting talents like 17-year-old Jonathan Shore, who made his second career start. This youth movement seems to be part of NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen's strategy, as he looks to cultivate new talent within the squad. Jansen's tactical setup allowed his players to execute their counter-attacking plan effectively, resulting in two key goals.
NYCFC's first significant chance occurred early on when Keaton Parks connected with a corner kick from Maxi Moralez, but Ivacic was up to the task, making two saves throughout the match, including another from Parks later on. New England's own struggles were highlighted not just by their own goal but also by their inability to create meaningful chances and convert on corner opportunities, which they failed to capitalize on during the closing moments of the game.
Alonso Martínez’s decisive goal capped off what was, admittedly, not NYCFC's best performance. Often seen as quiet throughout the evening, he showed the hallmark of every effective striker—making the most of limited opportunities when they arise. His contribution was highly praised, earning him the title of Player of the Match from fans and commentators alike.
New York City FC’s track to recovery is certainly underway, and the club looks to the next matches with enthusiasm following this home victory. The young talent shown throughout the match combined with effective gameplay provides encouragement as they aim to build upon this win and climb higher within the league.
The NYCFC faithful can only hope for continued improvement as their squad develops and prepares for the next challenge on the horizon.