Alonso Martinez continued his impressive form Saturday night, scoring his fifth goal of the Major League Soccer season to secure the three-points at home over the Philadelphia Union with a final score of 1-0.
The last time these two teams met was back in the 2024 season where Philly blew out NYCFC with a score of 5-1 in New York City FC’s very own stadium. NYCFC were very hungry for revenge coming into this game knowing they had to get some payback from the last meet-up.
The Costa-Rican striker found the back of the net at 55th minute coming from a long through-ball by 20 year old right-back, Mitja Illenic. This goal makes it Martinez’s fifth goal in just seven MLS matches this season. Martinez scored 17 MLS season goals in the previous season and is looking very much on track to breaking his MLS goal scoring record and possibly winning the top-scorer award in the MLS as he currently sits 1 goal behind the highest scorers who have 6.
Philadelphia Union were unlucky to not walk away with one point on the night as they led New York City FC on the Expected goals (xG) with a ratio of 1.27 compared to New York City’s 1.26. NYCFC record 11 shots and only two of those were shot on target. Philadelphia recorded 16 shots on the night but were only able shoot three of those on target on NYCFC’s goalkeeper, Matt Freese.
Freese’s 3 saves in the late second-half were crucial in NYC’S home victory. Freese made an outstanding clutch diving save from a shot attempt by Philadelphia’s Chris Donovan that kept the score at 1-0 and would see it end that way.
This game saw New York City FC rise up to the 9th-place spot in the MLS Eastern Conference table, only below Chicago Fire FC with 11 points. Philadelphia remains in the top-5 only 3 points behind first place, Charlotte FC and 1 point below Lionel Messi’s, Inter Miami CF.
New York City FC will visit Gillette Stadium next Match-day as they will be set to face New England Revolution who defeated Atlanta United with a similar score of 1-0 on Match-day 8. New England has struggled to find the back of the net so far during the MLS season as they have only scored four goals in 8 matches and are currently tied with last place, CF Montreal for the fewest goals scored in the Eastern standings.
Philadelphia Union will host Atlanta United on the next match-day and will look to see themselves in the top-three spots in the table.
