New York City FC can maintain their 100% record at Yankee Stadium this year when they host Minnesota United in the first MLS match on Sunday.
The Pigeons ended the month of March with a 4-3 defeat away to Atlanta United, while the Loons triumphed 2-0 over Real Salt Lake.
Match preview
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It looked like New York City would cruise to a comfortable victory early into the second half last weekend, but they fell apart in the latter stages against the Five Stripes.
Pascal Jansen's men have dropped five points from a winning position this season, putting them just outside the post-season picture, behind the New York Red Bulls for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference on goal difference.
The Boys in Blue have won their only two matches in the Bronx so far this season, while they have points in four of their previous five regular season encounters played at Yankee Stadium.
With a victory on Sunday this team will equal their longest winning run in MLS at Yankee Stadium from a season ago (three).
NYCFC have won their last three regular-season affairs when leading at half time, though they have not been in front after 45 minutes in a single league fixture so far this year.
Sunday will only be the second time these two sides meet in a league game at Yankee Stadium, with the Pigeons winning the first meeting (3-1) in 2017.
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A late defeat in their opener against Los Angeles FC (1-0) seems to have woken up Minnesota United, who have not lost a single match in this competition since then.
With 11 points after six matchdays, the Loons have the same number of points they had at this stage of the 2024 campaign, when they finished sixth in the Western Conference.
At the same time, things could be going even better, with Eric Ramsay's men dropping four points in the competition this year when drawing first blood.
Since the previous campaign, they have gone unbeaten in their last eight regular season away matches, claiming four out of a possible six points as the visitors in 2025.
When netting multiple times, they have picked up at least a point in their last eight matches played in this competition, doing so in each of their previous three encounters.
Minnesota have won their last three MLS affairs versus New York based clubs as the visitors, including a 2-0 victory in their last away contest versus New York City FC at Citi Field in 2023.
Team News
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Four NYCFC players were absent against Atlanta, including Malachi Jones and Tayvon Gray, who are recovering from leg injuries, Andres Perea has a sore hip, while Jacob Aroyave is doubtful with a knee injury.
Hannes Wolf notched a brace, with their other goal last weekend coming courtesy of Alonso Martinez, the team-leading fourth of the season for the Costa Rican international.
Minnesota were missing Kipp Keller and Hassani Dotson in their shutout victory over RSL, with the former dealing with a leg strain and the latter suffering from a knee problem.
Tani Oluwaseyi netted their only two goals last weekend, and Canadian Dayne St. Clair kept a clean sheet by stopping all four shots that he faced.
New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Freese; Ilenic, Martins, Risa, O'Toole; Parks, Shore, Fernandez, Moralez, Wolf; Martinez
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Hlongwane, Diaz, Markanich, Romero, Rosales; Lod, Trapp, Pereyra; Yeboah, Oluwaseyi
We say: New York City FC 2-2 Minnesota United
Both sides have shown they can trade blows and be sharp in the attacking third this year, but the Loons have had an easier schedule compared to many of the other sides in the league so far, while the Boys in Blue have not shown they can consistently put their opponents away.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
