Pascal Jansen has urged his New York City FC players to find consistency after claiming bragging rights in the Hudson River Derby last week.
After going three games without a win in all competitions, NYCFC earned a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls, moving them up to seventh in the Eastern Conference.
The Pigeons welcome the Chicago Fire to Yankee Stadium this weekend, and Jansen is hoping his team can build on their latest victory.
“Consistency is still our target, it’s still our goal,” said Jansen. “That doesn’t change after today.
“This is a good step forward, but I’m already looking forward to the next game to see if we can stay consistent.”
Justin Haak, who grabbed the assist for Alonso Martinez’s opening goal, echoed the thoughts of Jansen ahead of facing the Fire.
“The stadium was amazing, and the fans all came out to support us after what’s been a difficult week,” added homegrown defender Haak.
“This win is perfect for us, and hopefully we can build on it.”
Following a 4-1 thrashing of Charlotte FC, the Fire booked their place in the US Open Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over the New England Revolution in midweek.
Jonathan Bamba caused an Eric Klein own-goal before Hugo Cuypers continued his fine form with another strike before substitute Philip Zinckernagel sealed the win.
“I think, in general, we are trying to instil into this group that you can play three games in a week, and that it’s not that big of a deal,” head coach Gregg Berhalter said.
“We don’t play midweek next week, but for us, we rotated six guys, and it was a group who had the desire, and we wanted to go and have a good performance.”
The Fire sit ninth in the Eastern Conference ahead of facing NYCFC, but Berhalter stressed the importance of going far in the US Open Cup.
“Like all the teams that are competing in it, we want to try and win it,” Berhalter added. “And for us, it is not different. The club has four Open cups. Why not try and make it five?”.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
NYCFC – Alonso Martinez
Martinez scored the first of NYCFC’s two goals in their win over the Red Bulls on Saturday.
He has scored 11 regular-season goals at home since last July, tied with Tai Baribo for the most in MLS in that time.
Chicago Fire – Philip Zinckernagel
Zinckernagel has contributed to at least one goal in four straight regular-season away matches for the Fire.
The club record of five straight road games with a goal contribution has been achieved four times, most recently by Brandt Bronico in 2018.
MATCH PREDICTION: NYCFC WIN
NYCFC have never lost a home match against Chicago (W8 D3), though the Fire earned a 2-2 draw in their last away match against the Pigeons, snapping an eight-match losing streak on the road in the series.
But this weekend’s hosts have won eight of their last 10 regular-season home matches dating back to last October (L2). NYCFC have also kept clean sheets in three of their last four home league matches.
Chicago’s 4-1 win at Charlotte was their second road win by a three-goal margin in regular-season play since 2020 (4-1 at Toronto FC in 2024). The win was the Fire’s fourth road victory of the season, with the team having not won more away matches in a single season since 2012 (six).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
NYCFC – 53.3%
Draw – 23.9%
Chicago Fire – 22.8%
