Atlanta United FC v. New York City FC 2025 MLS Regular Season - Matchday 6 Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025 | Kickoff: 7:40pm ET Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA Television: MLS Season Pass Radio (English/Spanish): New York City FC App | Tune In App newyorkcityfc.com/radio
NEW YORK CITY FC HEAD COACH PASCAL JANSEN
On the clean sheet achieved in Columbus and how it helps boost the squad ahead of Atlanta... "We're always looking for ways to win the games and stay in the game. Columbus obviously was a very tough game for us, especially the level that we brought to the game and losing Keaton [Parks] within half an hour impacted this game. Going to Atlanta, another serious contender in an away game, is going to be a challenge itself. We're trying to establish a certain consistency throughout the season and a huge part is also being more consistent on the road. So for us, this game is just a small part within that process, and that's what we're trying to focus on.”
Thoughts on the start of the season compared to last year... “There is a difference in points, obviously, but we still have the same challenges and that is something that we've learned from the game in Columbus. Being on the road in Miami was a good game from our side in certain phases. LA was a good game from our side, but we didn't get the result. Now we went to Columbus and our participation in this game was far less than we would like it to be. So still, lessons to be learned going forward on the road. However, the home games have brought us the things that we're looking for, but the challenges remain the same—being more consistent throughout the season and especially being on the road.”
NEW YORK CITY FC DEFENDER THIAGO MARTINS
On the role he sees for himself in helping younger players develop... “Like I always say, I’m here to help the guys. I’m here to improve my own game, but also to help the team improve. We know that if we, as a team, play better football, it becomes easier for the younger players. Whether they’re coming in during a match or, like Jonny [Shore], starting games, we know we can give them the confidence to receive the ball, turn, and play forward. And if we need to shout to get them into a better position, it’s always to help—not to bring them down. That’s my role here, and if I can support them on the field, I’ll do it every time. If I need to cover for them, I know they’ll cover for me too—that’s the kind of relationship we have as a team.
They’re working really, really hard, and they’re definitely going to help us this year. I just hope they keep going on this path because they’re good guys, and we’ll do everything we can to help them grow and get better.”
On the personnel in defense, the chemistry among the backline, and his adaptability with changes... “We all need to adapt. It depends on who we're playing with, especially since each player is different and their styles vary. Sometimes we have to adjust a bit—the way we press, the way we push the line. But we always work hard to improve together. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing with Justin [Haak], [Strahinja ‘Tana’ Tanasijević], or Birk [Risa]—we always give our best to support each other and get better.
It’s not just about my game—it’s about the team. It all depends on who we’re playing against. I can’t say, ‘Oh, just because I’m playing with Justin or Tana, I have to change my style.’ I don’t need to change who I am as a player. It’s more about how the team prepares—how we press or how we defend in the box. It comes down to the small details.”
FIRST FIVE New York City FC has started the season with a record of 2W-1L-2D, earning eight points. The team has scored six goals and conceded five across five matches.
The eight points earned in the first five matches mark New York City FC's best start since the 2021 season when they recorded a 2W-1L-2D record, scoring 10 goals and conceding four.
Eight points also tie with 2021 for the second-highest total in New York City FC's history through the first five matches.
New York City FC’s highest point total through five matches was 13 in the 2018 season, with a record of 4W-0L-1D, scoring 10 goals and conceding four.
The lowest total was three points, recorded twice (2020 and 2024), with a 1W-4L-0D record.
New York City FC’s six goals this season rank as the fifth most in club history through the first five matches. The highest goal total during this period was 10, achieved twice (2018, 2021).
The fewest goals scored was two, recorded in the 2020 season.
Defensively, New York City’s five goals conceded tie for the fourth fewest in club history, matching the 2017 season. The fewest goals allowed over this span was four, achieved three times (2015, 2018, 2021).
The most goals conceded in the first five matches was eight, which occurred in 2019.
New York City earned its first clean sheet last match. The most clean sheets recorded in the first five matches is two, achieved in 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2021.
New York City did not record a clean sheet in the first five matches of the 2020 and 2024 seasons.
Five players remain current on the roster and have made goal contributions within the first five matches in previous seasons.
Midfielder Maxi Moralez has contributed four goals and six assists through the first five matches dating back to 2017 (2017: 1G, 2A; 2018: 3G, 1A; 2019: 1A; 2021: 1A; 2025: 1A).
Moralez contributed to a goal in three consecutive seasons between 2017 and 2019.
Midfielder Keaton Parks has recorded two assists during this period, one in 2022 and one in 2023.
Defender Thiago Martins provided an assist within the first five matches of the 2022 season, occurring on April 2 against Toronto FC.
Defender Kevin O'Toole scored one goal in the first five matches of the 2024 season, netting against Toronto FC on March 16.
Forward Julián Fernández scored one assist in the first five matches of the 2024 season (March 16 vs. Toronto FC) and added another on March 8, 2025. On March 15, 2025, Fernández recorded a goal.
SEASON OUTLOOK AND EASTERN CONFERENCE PERFORMANCE New York City FC is currently eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 2W-1L-2D record, totaling eight points, six goals scored, and five goals conceded.
Their six goals are tied for the third-fewest in the Eastern Conference, alongside Toronto FC, Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati, New York Red Bulls, and Columbus Crew.
They are tied with New England Revolution for the sixth-fewest goals conceded in the Eastern Conference.
New York City FC is tied with the New York Red Bulls for the fifth-most saves in the Eastern Conference with 16.
NYCFC has conceded the third-most shots in the Eastern Conference, allowing 66.
NYCFC remains winless on the road, along with Charlotte FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, FC Cincinnati, D.C. United, Atlanta United, New England Revolution, Toronto FC, and CF Montréal.
Only New York City FC (2-0-0) and Charlotte FC (3-0-0) have a winning home record.
CF Montréal has yet to play a home match this season.
New York City FC remains unbeaten against Eastern Conference opponents with a record of two wins and two draws, scoring six goals and conceding four.
They have played two away matches against Eastern Conference teams, drawing 2-2 with Inter Miami CF and 0-0 with Columbus Crew.
New York City’s highest goal tally in a single match is two, achieved in three of their games against Eastern Conference teams: Inter Miami CF, Orlando City SC, and New England Revolution.
Against these teams, New York City recorded their highest goal contribution total in a match with three.
The most shots recorded in a single match was 13, against Orlando City SC, where they also registered their highest shots on target total with eight.
The most goals conceded in a single match was two, occurring in the 2-2 draw against Inter Miami CF.
All of the goals scored this season so far have been against Eastern Conference teams.
This season, New York City FC holds a 2W-1L-2D record when tied at halftime. When conceding the first goal, they are 1W-1L-1D. When scoring the first goal, NYCFC is 1-0-0 and currently on a four-match winning streak dating back to September 28, 2024. Additionally, when scoring two goals, they have a 2W-0L-1D record and are on a two-match winning streak dating back to March 8, 2025.
When examining their goal overview, two goals were scored in the first half and four in the second.
New York City has scored one header and five goals with the right foot, all from inside the penalty box.
One goal was scored after situations from the half-left, four from the half-right, and one from the right.
Five goals were scored from open play, and one from a set piece, which was a free kick on Matchday 1.
One goal was scored off a counterattack.
So far this season four players have scored, including Forward Alonso Martínez (3), Defender Mitja Ilenič (1), Midfielder Hannes Wolf (1), and Forward Julián Fernández (1). Also, three players provided assists, including Midfielder Maxi Moralez (1), Forward Julián Fernández (1), and Midfielder Hannes Wolf (1).
Martínez and Wolf have both scored game-winning goals this season. Wolf netted his on March 8 against Orlando, while Martínez scored his on March 15 against the New England Revolution.
Fernández recorded the game-winning assist on March 8 against Orlando, setting up Hannes Wolf in the 71st minute.
Julián Fernández and Alonso Martínez recorded the most shots in a single match (4), both occurring against Orlando City SC.
Martínez also recorded the most shots on target in a single match with four, against Orlando City SC.
When examining their goals conceded overview, New York City FC has a total of two goals conceded in the first half (including own goals), and three conceded in the second half.
New York City has conceded all five goals from inside the penalty area.
One goal was conceded after situations from the left, three from the half-right, and one from the right.
One goal was conceded on the counterattack.
Five goals were conceded from open play, including two from crosses.
One goal was conceded from a clear-cut chance.
Lastly, Freese faced the most shots in a single match (six) against Inter Miami CF. He also recorded New York City’s first clean sheet of the season on Matchday 5 against Columbus Crew, marking their first since a 0-0 draw against Chicago Fire FC on July 13, 2024. In that match against Columbus, Freese made the most saves in a single game for the team this season, with five.
ALL-TIME V. ATLANTA UNITED New York City FC and Atlanta United face off for the 15th time in MLS regular season play, with New York City having the upper hand in the matchup.
New York City FC has an all-time record of 4W-2L-8D against Atlanta, scoring 24 goals and conceding 20.
In their last nine encounters dating back to September 25, 2019, New York City FC went undefeated, recording three wins and six draws, scoring 16 goals, and conceding 11 during this stretch.
The last time New York City FC won against Atlanta United was on October 9, 2022, in a 2-1 win.
The last time New York City has recorded a loss against Atlanta was on August 11, 2019, in a 2-1 loss.
New York City FC has outscored Atlanta in four 15-minute intervals: 3-2 in the 1st–15th minute, 4-3 in the 31st–45th minute (including stoppage time), 6-4 in the 61st-75th, and 5-2 in the 76th–90th minute (including stoppage time).
The 61st–75th minute is New York City’s highest-scoring interval, with six goals, followed by the 76th–90th minute (including stoppage time), where they’ve scored five goals.
In the 46th-60th minute, both sides scored four goals.
In the first half, New York City FC has scored nine goals and conceded 10 against the Atlanta.
In the second half, New York City FC has scored 15 goals and conceded 10 against Atlanta.
New York City FC leads Atlanta in both shots and shots on goal, with the 'Boys in Blue' registering 197 shots and 74 on target, compared to Atlanta's 162 shots and 71 on target.
On the road against Atlanta United, New York City FC has a record of one win, two losses, and four draws, scoring 11 goals and conceding 13. They have found the net in all seven of their away matches, scoring two or more goals in four of those games.
The 'Boys in Blue' have yet to record a clean sheet on the road against Atlanta United.
New York City FC's sole away victory against Atlanta occurred on October 9, 2022, with a 2-1 win at Mercedez Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The most goals New York City FC has scored in a single game away against Atlanta is two, accomplished on July 17, 2024, June 21, 2023, October 9, 2022, and April 15, 2018.
The largest away defeat margin against Atlanta was two goals, which occurred in a 3-1 loss on May 28, 2017.
This match also marked the most goals New York City conceded in a single away match against Atlanta.
The most recent loss away against Atlanta was on August 11, 2019, resulting in a 2-1 loss.
At Mercedes-Benz Stadium, New York City FC has a record of one win, one loss and four draws against the 'Five Stripes’, scoring 10 goals and conceding 10.
Matt Freese is tied with Sean Johnson for the all-time series game-high in saves against Atlanta, with seven saves.
Freese set the record on July 17, 2024, facing nine shots and conceding two goals in a 2-2 draw.
Of the current New York City FC roster, two players have scored including Midfielder Maxi Moralez (1) and Forward Mounsef Bakrar (1).
Current players that have assisted against Atlanta include Moralez (3), Midfielder Keaton Parks (3), Defender Mitja Ilenič (1).
Freese has played two matches in goal against Atlanta, logging 180 minutes, facing 15 shots, making 12 saves, and allowing three goals.
