After a week of mixed results, New York City FC head coach Pascal Jansen is urging his squad to regroup and refocus as they host CF Montréal this weekend.
Following a solid win over FC Cincinnati last Sunday, NYCFC suffered a deflating midweek defeat to Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a loss Jansen admits was a missed opportunity.
“Playing a lot of games in a short period of time gives you the opportunity to make amends,” Jansen told the media. “Sunday’s performance was at the level we expect. Wednesday was the opposite. We wasted a huge opportunity to advance in the Cup, but that’s behind us now.”
Jansen Wants Consistency as NYCFC Faces CF Montréal
With two contrasting performances in one week, Jansen is shifting focus back to Major League Soccer, where NYCFC has quietly built momentum. The team has won three of its last four league matches, all while maintaining three clean sheets.
“We’re up for the next challenge in MLS,” Jansen said. “What we’ve shown recently in the league can’t be a coincidence. Now we want consistency, and that will be our goal in this game.”
That defensive foundation has been key for City, but Jansen knows the next step is improving their clinical edge in front of goal.
“If we get our finishing right, it’ll reduce the pressure on our defense,” he explained. “We’re working to control games cleanly at the back, but also take better advantage of the chances we create.”
Jansen is also preparing for a tricky tactical opponent in CF Montréal, coached by former Serie A midfielder Marco Donadel. He noted that Montréal has shown multiple formations this season, including dual strikers, a traditional No. 10, and a box midfield. But it’s not just their formation that concerns Jansen.
“They’re aggressive out of possession and fluid with the ball,” he said. “We’ve prepared for their flexibility, and now it’s about stepping up and showing who we are again.”
Despite the midweek setback, NYCFC remains firmly in the playoff hunt. For Jansen, this match is more than just another league fixture, it’s a test of his team’s resilience and ability to turn promise into long-term form.
In other news, New York City FC today announced that it has signed Goalkeeper Mac Learned, Midfielder Peter Molinari and Forward Seymour Reid to Short-Term Agreements from MLS NEXT Pro affiliate New York City FC II.
