By Anonymous (not verified), April 26, 2025
From New York City FC
2025 MLS Regular Season - Matchday 10
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025 | Kickoff: 2:40pm ET
Location: BMO Field | Toronto, ON
Attendance: 22,699
New York City FC earned their first road win of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Toronto FC. Alonso Martínez won and scored the decisive penalty in the second half, while a strong defensive effort helped City preserve a clean sheet.
UP NEXT: The ‘Boys in Blue’ return home to Citi Field to face FC Cincinnati on Sunday, May 4, at 3:00pm ET. | Apple TV: MLS Season Pass | Radio (English/Spanish)
Defender Tayvon Gray made his 100th appearance for New York City FC, becoming the 14th player in Club history to reach the milestone.
Today's 1-0 win against Toronto FC marks New York City’s first road win of the 2025 MLS regular season.
New York City FC has now recorded back-to-back victories in Toronto, with their previous visit to BMO Field resulting in a 3-2 win.
New York City FC holds an all-time record of 10-6-7 (W-L-D) against Toronto FC, totaling 38 goals and 36 goals conceded.
New York City is currently on a four-match winning streak against Toronto FC, dating back to September 24, 2023, with nine goals scored and just three conceded, while keeping two clean sheets during this stretch.
The last time New York City lost to Toronto was on April 29, 2023, in a 1-0 loss.
Today's 1-0 win against Toronto FC marks New York City’s first road win of the 2025 MLS regular season.
New York City FC has now recorded back-to-back victories in Toronto, with their previous visit to BMO Field resulting in a 3-2 win.
On the road against Toronto FC, New York City FC has a record of five wins, five losses, and two draws, with 14 goals scored and 19 conceded.
New York City has scored in eight of their 11 away matches, including four games where they netted two or more goals. They’ve been shut out four times but have also kept a clean sheet against the Reds on three occasions.
At BMO Field, New York City has played 11 matches with a record of 5W-5L-2D, scoring 14 goals, conceding 19, and totaling three clean sheets.
New York City has scored in seven of their 10 away matches at BMO Field, including four games where they netted two or more goals. They’ve been shut out four times.
Midfielder Andrés Perea recorded the most goals on the current squad against the Reds with two goals.
Other current New York City players who have found the net against Toronto FC include Forward Alonso Martínez, Forward Julián Fernández, Midfielder Maxi Moralez, Midfielder Keaton Parks, Forward Malachi Jones, and Defender Kevin O'Toole—each with one goal.
Hannes Wolf recorded the most assists on the current squad against Toronto with two assists.
Other current New York City players who have registered an assist against Toronto FC include Andrés Perea (from his time with Orlando City SC), Julián Fernández, Maxi Moralez, Keaton Parks, Defender Thiago Martins, and Forward Agustín Ojeda—each with one assist.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese has faced Toronto five times, facing 22 shots, making 19 saves, conceding five goals, collecting two clean sheets, and averaging 1 goal conceded per game.
One of those appearances was with the Philadelphia Union, on October 17, 2021, where he faced three shots, made two saves, conceded two goals.
Matt Freese holds the all-time series record for most saves in a single match against Toronto FC, making nine saves on May 11, 2024.
After a 1-0 win against today, Freese has collected two clean sheets against Toronto FC. The last one was recorded on September 24, 2023, in a 3-0 win.
This season, the ‘Boys in Blue’ have found the net in seven of nine matches, scoring two or more goals in four of them. They’ve been shut out three times, including a 0-0 draw on the road against Columbus Crew. They also have held their opponent scoreless three times.
New York City has scored first in four matches this season and holds a 3W-1L-0D record in those games.
Alonso Martínez (three times) and Hannes Wolf (once) have opened the scoring in those matches.
They’ve managed to hold on to the lead and collect points in three of those matches (including today’s match):
A 2-1 win over Orlando City SC on March 8, with Wolf netting the game-winner in the 71st minute and Julián Fernández providing the assist.
A 1-0 victory over Philadelphia Union on April 13, where Martínez scored the decisive goal in the 55th minute, assisted by defender Mitja Ilenič.
New York City has yet to lead at halftime this season. They’ve been tied at the break in eight matches (4W-2L-2D) and trailed in two (0W-2L-0D).
When scoring one goal, New York City FC has a record of 2W-1L-0D.
Defensively, when keeping their opponents off the scoresheet, New York City FC is 2W-0L-1D.
In their four wins this season, the ‘Boys in Blue’ have scored six goals, tallied three assists, conceded just two goals, and recorded two clean sheets.
This season, New York City FC has five goal scorers including Alonso Martínez (six), Wolf (three), Fernández (one), Parks (one), Ilenič (one).
Martínez with six goals on the season was one goal shy of matching club legend David Villa (seven in 2017) for most goals in New York City FC’s first 10 matches of a season.
When examining their goal overview, three goals were scored in the first half and nine in the second.
This season, Goalkeeper Matt Freese has faced 45 shots, recorded 34 saves conceded 13 goals (goals conceded average 1.3) and recorded three clean sheets.
His best individual performance came on April 6 against Minnesota United, where he made a season-high seven saves while facing a season-high eight shots.
In wins, Freese has faced eight shots, made seven saves and allowed two goals. In losses, he’s been tested with 26 shots, recording 18 saves and conceding nine goals. In draws, he’s faced 11 shots, recorded nine saves and conceded two goals.
On the road, New York City has a record of 1W-3L-2D, scoring six goals and conceding nine.
The team has found the back of the net in three of the six matches, scoring two goals in two matches. They’ve also been held scoreless three times and kept two clean sheets.
The following players scored in away matches: Forward Alonso Martínez (three), Midfielder Hannes Wolf (two), and Defender Mitja Ilenič (one).
The following players have assisted in away matches: Midfielder Maxi Moralez (one), and Midfielder Julián Fernández (one).
New York City FC has scored first twice (4-3 loss vs. Atlanta and 1-0 win vs. TOR), conceded first three times, and played to a scoreless draw once (vs. Columbus).
When conceding the first goal, New York City FC has a record of 0W-2L-1D.
New York City FC broke their six-game winless streak in away matches, dating back to October 19, 2024, with four losses and two draws during that span.
In away matches, Freese has recorded 21 saves, conceded nine goals, faced 40 shots, averaged a goal conceded per game of 1.16, and collected two clean sheets.
Matt Freese collected his first clean sheet of the season in the away match against Columbus Crew, where he faced five shots on goal and recorded five saves.
Against the Crew, Freese recorded the most saves in a single away match this season.
Defender Tayvon Gray made his 100th appearance for New York City FC, becoming the 14th player in Club history to reach the milestone.
The other 13 players to play at least 100 matches for New York City include Jesus Medina, Ronald Matarrita, David Villa, Alex Ring, Valentin Castellanos, Anton Tinnerholm, James Sands, Santiago Rodriguez, Alex Callens, Maxime Chanot, Keaton Parks, Sean Johnson, and Maxi Moralez.
Forward Alonso Martínez scored his sixth goal of the season and the 22nd of his MLS regular season career with New York City FC.
Martínez converted his second penalty kick of the season, with his previous penalty goal coming in the 4-3 loss to Atlanta United.
This is Martínez’s first career goal against Toronto FC.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese recorded his third clean sheet of the 2025 MLS regular season.
Matt Freese recorded his first clean sheet against Toronto FC since September 24, 2023, when New York City FC earned a 3-0 victory.
Matt Freese recorded five clean sheets during the 2024 MLS regular season.
HEAD COACH PASCAL JANSEN
DEFENDER TAYVON GRAY
NEW YORK CITY FC COACH PASCAL JANSEN
On the team’s defensive disciple and keeping a clean sheet...
“The discipline was good, as it has been in most of the games and in major parts of those games. Today, we had to make sure we secured the clean sheet with some tough defending as well. I said to the guys just now, we make it a little tougher on ourselves because we don’t get that second goal to take all the life out of the opponent. So we had to fight until the end, and that’s what the guys did. So that’s a huge compliment to them.”
On the Keaton Parks and Jonny Shore partnership in the midfield...
“When we partner them up, they find each other. They have good chemistry going. You see, once we get that play in midfield like we did in sequences in the first and second half, they can control the ball and move it from left to right but also have the vision to go forward. So I’m very happy with the chemistry between the guys. But don’t forget our most experienced guy in the number 10 position, Maxi [Moralez]—he helps them a lot. Good midfield play.”
NEW YORK CITY DEFENDER TAYVON GRAY
On joining The Century Club for 100 MLS appearances...
“To be fair, I didn’t quite know—I didn’t know I was there yet, so it was a bit of a surprise to me. I knew I had a lot of games, but I didn’t think I hit the 100 mark. I think it’s an exciting moment. I’m happy. It just shows my dedication and the hard work I put toward the game. I think I’m amongst a few legendary players—Maxi [Moralez], Keaton [Parks]—you know, they all hit their 100 mark, so it’s good to have my name out there with those guys.”
On the road win and keeping a clean sheet...
“Very important. A win away from home is always important. And now we’re going back to our house. So I think it’s great that we’ve got the momentum—it’s just about trying to keep it going.”
Goal – NYC– 64'- Alonso Martínez [16]
64’- NYC– Alonso Martínez [16]
Scored from penalty with right footed shot with an xG of 77% to the bottom left corner.
Team
Toronto FC
(1-5-4)
New York City FC
(4-4-2)
Possession %
53.6%
46.4%
Shots
12
9
Shots on Goal
1
4
Pass Accuracy %
79.6%
76.8%
Fouls
10
12
Corner Kicks
6
7
Saves
2
1
Full Match Statistics - Click Here
Toronto FC (3-5-2)
New York City FC (4-3-3)
Head Coach: Robin Fraser
[1] Sean Johnson
[5] Kevin Long
[17] Sigurd Rosted
[28] Raoul Petretta
[6] Kosi Thompson
[7] Theo Corbeanu (67’ - [24] Lorenzo Insigne)
[20] Deybi Flores (67’ - [14] Alonso Coello)
[21] Jonathan Osorio (C)
[23] Maxime Dominguez
[10] Federico Bernardeschi (69’ - [16] Tyrese Spicer)
[38] Charlie Sharp (88’ - [8] Matty Longstaff)
Head Coach: Pascal Jansen
[40] Matt Freese
[13] Thiago Martin (C)
[22] Kevin O’Toole (65’ - [2] Nico Cavallo)
[24] Tayvon Gray
[80] Justin Haak
[10] Maxi Moralez (78’ - [8] Andrés Perea)
[17] Hannes Wolf
[26] Agustín Ojeda (65’ - [11] Julián Fernández)
[32] Jonathan Shore (78’ - [5] Birk Risa)
[55] Keaton Parks
[16] Alonso Martínez (90+6’ - [9] Monsef Bakrar)
Subs Unused
[15] Nicksoen Gomis
[19] Kobe Franklin
[71] Markus Cimermancic
[76] Lazar Stefanović
[90] Luke Gavran
Subs Unused
[18] Greg Ranjitsingh
[19] Strahinja Tanasijević
[30] Tomás Romero
TOR
Yellow Cards (2)
21’- Deybi Flores [20] - Bad Foul
31’- Kevin Long [5] - Bad Foul
Red Cards (0)
NYC
Yellow Cards (3)
22' - Kevin O’Toole [22] - Poor Sportsmanship
71’- Julián Fernández [11] - Poor Sportsmanship
90+7’ - [24] Tayvon Gray [24] - Bad Foul
Red Cards (0)
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
Ast. Referee 1: Gerard-Kader Lebuis
Ast. Referee 2: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho
Fourth Official: Kevin Stott
VAR: Tom Supple
Ast. VAR: Mario Al Ayass
New York City FC were on their travels Saturday as they took on Toronto FC at BMO Field.
City were looking to bounce back from defeat in their last outing against New England Revolution, while Toronto were eager to make it back-to-back wins after beating Real Salt Lake.
Head Coach Pascal Jansen made two changes to the team that took on the Revs, as Keaton Parks and Tayvon Gray replaced Mounsef Bakrar and Mitja Ilenič.
The hosts created the first chance of the afternoon after three minutes—Charlie Sharp heading over from close range.
City responded with a header of their own seven minutes later through Keaton Parks, but he also struggled to keep the effort on target.
Next it would be Alonso Martínez that tested Toronto’s goal, with a shot in the 17th minute that Sean Johnson saved.
Sharp was Toronto’s main attacking outlet early on, and the 25th minute saw him get a shot off that missed the target.
As the clock ticked past the half-hour mark Federico Bernardeschi became a more central figure, firing off two shots that were blocked by a combination of Justin Haak and Jonathan Shore.
City were eager to go in a goal up, and Hannes Wolf had a great chance to give City the lead when he found a dangerous pocket of space just inside the area. His shot was deflected behind for a corner.
The second half saw both teams renew their attempts to find an opener, as City came close in the 54th minute through Wolf—his effort blocked by Kosi Thompson.
In response, TFC defender Kevin Long headed an effort toward goal that required an intervention from Justin Haak to keep the scores level.
City were then handed a perfect chance to break the deadlock in the 64th minute after Martínez earned a penalty. He dusted himself down and confidently dispatched the strike past Sean Johnson.
Jansen opted to make two changes in the wake of the goal as Julián Fernández and Nico Cavallo replaced Kevin O’Toole and Agustín Ojeda.
Toronto were by no means out of things, however, as Matt Freese was called into action after a dangerous freekick from the left missed everybody and skipped up in front of City’s shot-stopper, who grabbed it at the second attempt.
Fernández then raced down the other end and fired off a venomous drive that whistled past the near post.
City’s second set of changes came in the 78th minute as Maxi Moralez and Shore were replaced by Birk Risa and Andrés Perea.
A fast break from City minutes later saw them work the ball forward before Fernández found Wolf from close range—his shot well-blocked by Johnson.
Toronto’s pursuit of an equalizer saw Matty Longstaff clip in a dangerous cross in injury time that required Gray to clear it behind for a corner.
City's final change of the afternoon saw Mounsef Bakrar replace Martínez, but not before the Costa Rican sprang the offside trap and attempted to round Johnson—Toronto's shot-stopper able to get a glove on the ball and dispossess him.
In the end, Martínez’s penalty proved the difference and was enough to secure a first road win of the campaign for City.
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