NYCFC vs Philadelphia Union pre-match notes
The New York City FC held its pre-match press conference ahead of our match against Philadelphia Union.
Head Coach Nick Cushing
On the team’s mentality going up against Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami this week…
“The feeling right now before the game is that we’re really excited to go play in front of our fans, that we play to win in front of our fans, and we play to get them behind us. When we get fans in the stadium, when we play our football, when we create chances and score goals…the atmosphere in Yankee Stadium is incredible. We have an opportunity starting on Wednesday against Philadelphia [Union] to have another game where we get the crowd right behind us against a difficult opponent. If we play with intensity, ambition, and with our attacking style, the fans will be right behind us. We know every team that we play against in this league is difficult. However, when we’re in our [stadium], and we have fans behind us, it’s a good occasion. We’re excited for the game.”
On what to tell the team following their recent results…
“It’s really interesting because within our locker room and within the training facility, there isn’t a feeling that we are going through a difficult period. We know that we’re playing well in large parts of games. We were really good in the Columbus [Crew] game, a difficult finish to the game against a really good side. We dominated the first half of the D.C. game. We limited them to almost nothing, apart from the penalty. The feeling of the team is that the win is right around the corner. We understand we have got to execute in both boxes, defend the game really well like we did against D.C., and keep creating [chances] and be clinical in those moments. The feel of the group is there’s a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of excitement, and a lot of hunger. We just got to keep training well and prepare well to go into the Philadelphia [Union] game. I think if we start this stretch with a win, it is a real springboard for us.”
Midfielder Andres Perea
On the team’s progress compared to the 2023 season…
“I think it’s been a good season overall. We’ve been working really hard. Now, like every season, the competition tightens up a bit in the last ten, five games. I think all the teams start pushing a little more to reach the end of the season. Collectively, we’re doing well, the group is calm. We have several home games, and we’ve been working well. Now it’s about staying calm, knowing that we have some backing with the points we’ve earned so far, and continue to work, look for wins and push through.”
On his journey towards recovery, and if he feels ready for back-to-back matches…
“It’s been nine weeks of hard work. We’ve been working and recovering. It was quite a serious injury, but now we’re happy to be back. We have a week with two or three games, where everyone will have the chance to compete. We wanted to wait a little longer to have the body fully prepared at 100%. Now that I’m back, it’s about contributing as much as I can to the team. In response to your question, I’d say that my body is fine now. I feel great, and we’re moving forward.”
Key Points
New York City FC returns home after two games on the road to face the Philadelphia Union, where the ‘Boys in Blue’ will be looking to earn their second win of the season against Philadelphia.
New York faced off against the Union earlier this season at Subaru Park on May 15, 2024, claiming a 2-1 victory thanks to a 2nd-minute goal from Forward Alonso Martínez and a free kick from Midfielder Hannes Wolf in first-half stoppage time.
In regular season play, this contest is split evenly between the two sides from previous meetings.
Both New York City FC and the Philadelphia Union have won nine games against one another, with two matches ending in draws.
New York’s win earlier this season broke a four-game losing streak against Philadelphia for the ‘Boys in Blue.’
Both teams have scored 28 goals in the 20 matches against one another, but New York has the advantage in shots and shots on goal, with New York having 284 shots and 103 shots on goal, and Philadelphia having 216 shots and 85 shots on goal.
Midfielder Maxi Moralez continues to be the all-time series leader in assists for New York City FC against the Union, with five assists.
Moralez is also the joint all-time series game high leader in goals (2) and assists (2), tied with Valentín Castellanos in both categories.
Of the current New York City FC roster, Moralez leads in games played (11), minutes played (954), and assists (5).
Moralez is tied with fellow Midfielder Andrés Perea in goals scored (2) out of any New York player currently, with Martínez and Wolf the only other players to have scored against Philadelphia on the current roster, with one goal each. Perea collected his goals against Philadelphia Union while playing with Orlando City SC in 2022.
Apart from Moralez, Perea and Midfielder Santiago Rodríguez are the only other current New York players with assists against the Union, with Rodríguez having two and Perea having one.
Not only does New York City FC have the advantage this season on Philadelphia, but the ‘Boys in Blue’ also have the advantage facing the Union at home in regular season history.
At home against the Union, New York has a record of 4-3-2 (W-L-D), scoring 15 goals and conceding 14.
At Yankee Stadium, New York is 4-1-2 (W-L-D) in regular season play and 1-0-0 in postseason play.
New York City FC will play four of their last six matches of the regular season at home, where the ‘Boys in Blue’ have found success throughout the campaign.
At home in MLS regular season play this year, New York has a record of 8-3-2 (W-L-D), totaling 26 points. Compared to previous seasons for New York in the first 13 home games, 26 points is ranked fifth most, previously done in the 2021 season.
New York City FC has the third-best home record in the Eastern Conference and the eighth-best record in all of MLS.
The ‘Boys in Blue’ scored 27 goals in their first 13 home matches this season, ranking fifth in terms of goals scored in those games across previous seasons.
On the defensive front, New York City FC conceded 16 goals in their first 13 home matches this season, tying for the fifth-fewest in comparison to previous seasons (2023 and 2017).
Alonso Martínez has scored eight goals in home matches this season, the most of any New York City FC player this year.
In comparison to previous seasons, Martínez ranks fifth for goals scored in the first 13 home games. The record for the most goals in the first 13 home matches is 13, set by David Villa in 2017.
Santiago Rodríguez has registered six assists at home this season, leading all New York players.
Historically, Rodríguez is tied for the sixth most assists in the first 13 home games, alongside David Villa in the 2015 campaign.
The record for the most assists in the first 13 home matches is 10, set by Midfielder Maxi Moralez in 2018.
Rodríguez also leads the team this season with the highest number of goal contributions at home, totaling 13 (seven goals and six assists).
In comparison to previous seasons, the Uruguayan midfielder ranks fifth for goal contributions in the first 13 home games.
The record for the most goal contributions in the first 13 home matches is 21 (13 goals and eight assists), set by David Villa in 2017.
Martínez has contributed to goals in five consecutive home matches this season, with seven goals and two assists spanning from May 31 to August 24.
The record for the longest streak of consecutive goal contributions by a New York City FC player is six matches, achieved by Santiago Rodríguez (09/20/2023 to 04/06/2024), David Villa (06/17/2017 to 08/20/2017), and Maxi Moralez (05/19/2018 to 07/11/2018).
As a team this season, the ‘Boys in Blue’ have scored the first goal at home in ten of their first 13 matches this season.
Of those ten games, New York has a record of 6-2-2 (W-L-D). New York is also undefeated in their last three home matches when scoring the first goal of the game.
New York City FC has had more possession than their opponents at home this season on eight occasions and has a record of 6-1-1 (W-L-D) in those games.
When obtaining more possession than their opponent at home, the ‘Boys in Blue’ have scored two or more goals seven times.
New York has taken more shots than their opponent at home this season on ten occasions, including the first seven home games of the 2024 campaign.
Of those ten matches, New York has a record of 6-2-2 (W-L-D).
Rodríguez has scored the opening goal for New York at home this season four times in MLS play, the most of any New York City FC player.
Other players to have scored the opening goal at home in MLS play include Forward Agustín Ojeda (2), Midfielder Hannes Wolf (2), and Martínez (2).
Martínez has scored the last/deciding goal in home matches for New York City FC this season three times, the most of any New York player.
Other players to have scored the last/deciding goal for New York include Rodríguez (2), Forward Mounsef Bakrar (2), Forward Kevin O’Toole (1), and Ojeda (1).
Entering Matchday 33 to face Philadelphia, New York City FC has played 15 matches since the two Eastern Conference teams clashed at Subaru Park earlier this season. Prior to facing the Union earlier this year, New York had played 12 matches in MLS.
Before facing Philadelphia earlier this season, the ‘Boys in Blue’ had a record of 5-5-2 (W-L-D).
After losing the first three matches to Charlotte FC, St. Louis City SC, and the Portland Timbers, New York went on to win five of their next nine games and scored goals in all but two of those nine matches.
There were multiple players contributing to those wins for New York, including numerous goal scorers and strong performances in goal.
Players who scored for New York prior to the first meeting with the Union include Santiago Rodríguez (5), Alonso Martínez (2), Forward Julián Fernández (2), Kevin O’Toole (1), Agustín Ojeda (1), Midfielder Andrés Perea (1), Midfielder Keaton Parks (1), and Forward Malachi Jones (1).
Goalkeeper Matt Freese kept two clean sheets prior to the first match of the season against Philadelphia while also making 45 saves in the 12 previous matches.
As a team, New York City FC was towards the top of the leaderboard in several categories prior to the meeting with Philadelphia.
Between Matchday 1 and Matchday 13, New York was tied for fifth with Atlanta United for shots (173) and 14th in shots on goal (57), tied with Sporting Kansas City.
Within that same period, New York ranked eighth in possession (52.05%) and fourth in balls won (94).
Freese’s 45 saves were also strong enough to rank sixth, tied with Toronto FC and Sporting Kansas City for most saves when compared to other clubs in MLS.
Since defeating the Union 2-1 at Subaru Park, the ‘Boys in Blue’ have played 15 matches in MLS regular season play and have struggled to find wins as of late.
Since the win against Philadelphia on Matchday 14, New York City FC has a record of 5-5-5 (W-L-D), similar to their form before playing Philadelphia.
New York’s win over the Union was the second win of a five-game winning streak, starting against Toronto FC on May 11 and ending with a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on May 31.
Since that five-match win streak, it has been a difficult run of results for the ‘Boys in Blue,’ who have only won two of their last 12 games, which came in consecutive matches against Orlando City and CF Montréal.
Despite only winning two of their last 12, New York has only lost one of their last six matches, earning a draw in the other five matches.
Players that have scored for New York City FC since the victory against Philadelphia include Martínez (8), including a hat-trick against San Jose and two braces against Montréal and Chicago, Hannes Wolf (4), Bakrar (4), Rodríguez (4), Ojeda (2), Parks (1), and Midfielder Andrés Perea (1), and Forward Talles Magno (1).
The post-match press conference will start approximately 10 minutes after the final whistle. The presser will feature New York City FC Head Coach Nick Cushing.
If you’d like to attend the virtual press conference, please fill out the form below. The form will close by 9:PM ET and no late applications will be accepted. You’ll receive the link to the digital press conference ahead of the scheduled time.
Union this Wednesday match
New York City FC held its pre-match press conference ahead of our match against Philadelphia Union.
Head Coach Nick Cushing
On the team’s mentality going up against Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami this week…
“The feeling right now before the game is that we’re really excited to go play in front of our fans, that we play to win in front of our fans, and we play to get them behind us. When we get fans in the stadium, when we play our football, when we create chances and score goals…the atmosphere in Yankee Stadium is incredible. We have an opportunity starting on Wednesday against Philadelphia [Union] to have another game where we get the crowd right behind us against a difficult opponent. If we play with intensity, ambition, and with our attacking style, the fans will be right behind us. We know every team that we play against in this league is difficult. However, when we’re in our [stadium], and we have fans behind us, it’s a good occasion. We’re excited for the game.”
On what to tell the team following their recent results…
“It’s really interesting because within our locker room and within the training facility, there isn’t a feeling that we are going through a difficult period. We know that we’re playing well in large parts of games. We were really good in the Columbus [Crew] game, a difficult finish to the game against a really good side. We dominated the first half of the D.C. game. We limited them to almost nothing, apart from the penalty. The feeling of the team is that the win is right around the corner. We understand we have got to execute in both boxes, defend the game really well like we did against D.C., and keep creating [chances] and be clinical in those moments. The feel of the group is there’s a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of excitement, and a lot of hunger. We just got to keep training well and prepare well to go into the Philadelphia [Union] game. I think if we start this stretch with a win, it is a real springboard for us.”
Midfielder Andres Perea
On the team’s progress compared to the 2023 season…
“I think it’s been a good season overall. We’ve been working really hard. Now, like every season, the competition tightens up a bit in the last ten, five games. I think all the teams start pushing a little more to reach the end of the season. Collectively, we’re doing well, the group is calm. We have several home games, and we’ve been working well. Now it’s about staying calm, knowing that we have some backing with the points we’ve earned so far, and continue to work, look for wins and push through.”
On his journey towards recovery, and if he feels ready for back-to-back matches…
“It’s been nine weeks of hard work. We’ve been working and recovering. It was quite a serious injury, but now we’re happy to be back. We have a week with two or three games, where everyone will have the chance to compete. We wanted to wait a little longer to have the body fully prepared at 100%. Now that I’m back, it’s about contributing as much as I can to the team. In response to your question, I’d say that my body is fine now. I feel great, and we’re moving forward.”
Key Points
Ready to Do the Double
New York City FC returns home after two games on the road to face the Philadelphia Union, where the ‘Boys in Blue’ will be looking to earn their second win of the season against Philadelphia.
New York faced off against the Union earlier this season at Subaru Park on May 15, 2024, claiming a 2-1 victory thanks to a 2nd-minute goal from Forward Alonso Martínez and a free kick from Midfielder Hannes Wolf in first-half stoppage time.
In regular season play, this contest is split evenly between the two sides from previous meetings.
Both New York City FC and the Philadelphia Union have won nine games against one another, with two matches ending in draws.
New York’s win earlier this season broke a four-game losing streak against Philadelphia for the ‘Boys in Blue.’
Both teams have scored 28 goals in the 20 matches against one another, but New York has the advantage in shots and shots on goal, with New York having 284 shots and 103 shots on goal, and Philadelphia having 216 shots and 85 shots on goal.
Midfielder Maxi Moralez continues to be the all-time series leader in assists for New York City FC against the Union, with five assists.
Moralez is also the joint all-time series game high leader in goals (2) and assists (2), tied with Valentín Castellanos in both categories.
Of the current New York City FC roster, Moralez leads in games played (11), minutes played (954), and assists (5).
Moralez is tied with fellow Midfielder Andrés Perea in goals scored (2) out of any New York player currently, with Martínez and Wolf the only other players to have scored against Philadelphia on the current roster, with one goal each. Perea collected his goals against Philadelphia Union while playing with Orlando City SC in 2022.
Apart from Moralez, Perea and Midfielder Santiago Rodríguez are the only other current New York players with assists against the Union, with Rodríguez having two and Perea having one.
Not only does New York City FC have the advantage this season on Philadelphia, but the ‘Boys in Blue’ also have the advantage facing the Union at home in regular season history.
At home against the Union, New York has a record of 4-3-2 (W-L-D), scoring 15 goals and conceding 14.
At Yankee Stadium, New York is 4-1-2 (W-L-D) in regular season play and 1-0-0 in postseason play.
Strong on Home Soil
New York City FC will play four of their last six matches of the regular season at home, where the ‘Boys in Blue’ have found success throughout the campaign.
At home in MLS regular season play this year, New York has a record of 8-3-2 (W-L-D), totaling 26 points. Compared to previous seasons for New York in the first 13 home games, 26 points is ranked fifth most, previously done in the 2021 season.
New York City FC has the third-best home record in the Eastern Conference and the eighth-best record in all of MLS.
The ‘Boys in Blue’ scored 27 goals in their first 13 home matches this season, ranking fifth in terms of goals scored in those games across previous seasons.
On the defensive front, New York City FC conceded 16 goals in their first 13 home matches this season, tying for the fifth-fewest in comparison to previous seasons (2023 and 2017).
Alonso Martínez has scored eight goals in home matches this season, the most of any New York City FC player this year.
In comparison to previous seasons, Martínez ranks fifth for goals scored in the first 13 home games. The record for the most goals in the first 13 home matches is 13, set by David Villa in 2017.
Santiago Rodríguez has registered six assists at home this season, leading all New York players.
Historically, Rodríguez is tied for the sixth most assists in the first 13 home games, alongside David Villa in the 2015 campaign.
The record for the most assists in the first 13 home matches is 10, set by Midfielder Maxi Moralez in 2018.
Rodríguez also leads the team this season with the highest number of goal contributions at home, totaling 13 (seven goals and six assists).
In comparison to previous seasons, the Uruguayan midfielder ranks fifth for goal contributions in the first 13 home games.
The record for the most goal contributions in the first 13 home matches is 21 (13 goals and eight assists), set by David Villa in 2017.
Martínez has contributed to goals in five consecutive home matches this season, with seven goals and two assists spanning from May 31 to August 24.
The record for the longest streak of consecutive goal contributions by a New York City FC player is six matches, achieved by Santiago Rodríguez (09/20/2023 to 04/06/2024), David Villa (06/17/2017 to 08/20/2017), and Maxi Moralez (05/19/2018 to 07/11/2018).
As a team this season, the ‘Boys in Blue’ have scored the first goal at home in ten of their first 13 matches this season.
Of those ten games, New York has a record of 6-2-2 (W-L-D). New York is also undefeated in their last three home matches when scoring the first goal of the game.
New York City FC has had more possession than their opponents at home this season on eight occasions and has a record of 6-1-1 (W-L-D) in those games.
When obtaining more possession than their opponent at home, the ‘Boys in Blue’ have scored two or more goals seven times.
New York has taken more shots than their opponent at home this season on ten occasions, including the first seven home games of the 2024 campaign.
Of those ten matches, New York has a record of 6-2-2 (W-L-D).
Rodríguez has scored the opening goal for New York at home this season four times in MLS play, the most of any New York City FC player.
Other players to have scored the opening goal at home in MLS play include Forward Agustín Ojeda (2), Midfielder Hannes Wolf (2), and Martínez (2).
Martínez has scored the last/deciding goal in home matches for New York City FC this season three times, the most of any New York player.
Other players to have scored the last/deciding goal for New York include Rodríguez (2), Forward Mounsef Bakrar (2), Forward Kevin O’Toole (1), and Ojeda (1).
Comparing Form
Entering Matchday 33 to face Philadelphia, New York City FC has played 15 matches since the two Eastern Conference teams clashed at Subaru Park earlier this season. Prior to facing the Union earlier this year, New York had played 12 matches in MLS.
Before facing Philadelphia earlier this season, the ‘Boys in Blue’ had a record of 5-5-2 (W-L-D).
After losing the first three matches to Charlotte FC, St. Louis City SC, and the Portland Timbers, New York went on to win five of their next nine games and scored goals in all but two of those nine matches.
There were multiple players contributing to those wins for New York, including numerous goal scorers and strong performances in goal.
Players who scored for New York prior to the first meeting with the Union include Santiago Rodríguez (5), Alonso Martínez (2), Forward Julián Fernández (2), Kevin O’Toole (1), Agustín Ojeda (1), Midfielder Andrés Perea (1), Midfielder Keaton Parks (1), and Forward Malachi Jones (1).
Goalkeeper Matt Freese kept two clean sheets prior to the first match of the season against Philadelphia while also making 45 saves in the 12 previous matches.
As a team, New York City FC was towards the top of the leaderboard in several categories prior to the meeting with Philadelphia.
Between Matchday 1 and Matchday 13, New York was tied for fifth with Atlanta United for shots (173) and 14th in shots on goal (57), tied with Sporting Kansas City.
Within that same period, New York ranked eighth in possession (52.05%) and fourth in balls won (94).
Freese’s 45 saves were also strong enough to rank sixth, tied with Toronto FC and Sporting Kansas City for most saves when compared to other clubs in MLS.
Since defeating the Union 2-1 at Subaru Park, the ‘Boys in Blue’ have played 15 matches in MLS regular season play and have struggled to find wins as of late.
Since the win against Philadelphia on Matchday 14, New York City FC has a record of 5-5-5 (W-L-D), similar to their form before playing Philadelphia.
New York’s win over the Union was the second win of a five-game winning streak, starting against Toronto FC on May 11 and ending with a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on May 31.
Since that five-match win streak, it has been a difficult run of results for the ‘Boys in Blue,’ who have only won two of their last 12 games, which came in consecutive matches against Orlando City and CF Montréal.
Despite only winning two of their last 12, New York has only lost one of their last six matches, earning a draw in the other five matches.
Players that have scored for New York City FC since the victory against Philadelphia include Martínez (8), including a hat-trick against San Jose and two braces against Montréal and Chicago, Hannes Wolf (4), Bakrar (4), Rodríguez (4), Ojeda (2), Parks (1), and Midfielder Andrés Perea (1), and Forward Talles Magno (1).
