NYCFC's struggles in the attack despite decent play in the loss to Inter Miami
On Wednesday, New York City FC, like every other Major League Soccer side, played a midweek game. After the atrocious loss to Chicago Fire FC, the Boys in Blue found themselves playing their third and final match of their road trip. It was another hard match, as they faced Inter Miami CF. And after 90 minutes of play, NYCFC fell 2-0 to the home side.
One positive from the match was that Alonso Martínez started his second game in a row. Pascal Jansen also started Bénie Traoré, who many likely would have liked to see on the bench and away from the pitch. The Designated Player continued his rough start to life in Major League Soccer, but did show some of his quality.
Nevertheless, with the way 2026 has gone, NYCFC really needed the forward to be more of a contributor. Hannes Wolf or Malachi Jones should have started instead.
Sadly, though, it likely did not matter who was playing. At this point in the season, NYCFC players are likely mentally drained. No matter what they do, and no matter how they play, losses or draws that feel like losses are ingrained in the story of the 2026 season. Hence, a loss was expected on Wednesday.
NYCFC cannot score in loss to Miami
For almost the first 20 minutes, NYCFC still reminded others that the roster is talented. Their passing was crisp, and the team controlled the possession. They had a few shots that were not the most threatening, but in any other year, the positive momentum would have created hope that maybe the Pigeons could do something special.
Alas, it was only a matter of time before NYCFC gave up a goal, and in the 20th minute, Miami took the lead. Great passing by the Herons broke down the backline and eventually led the ball to end up at Luis Suárez’s feet. The striker swept the ball across the face of the goal, where Germán Berterame waited for the ball. With a harsh tap, the other striker put his team in front.
But NYCFC did not necessarily fall apart right away. Immediately after, the players again controlled the ball. In all honesty, watching their movement and intelligence with their passes made it feel like this was a different team. The Bronx side arguably played, at times, some beautiful football. Of course, that clinical touch and ability to get the ball beyond Dayne St. Clair were missing.
Meanwhile, Miami eventually increased their time on the ball, and soon, NYCFC was the one sitting back and defending. And right before halftime, the Herons doubled their lead.
They had a counterattack, and NYCFC expected the whistle to blow. Not playing to the whistle left Miami with fewer defenders to deal with, and Rodrigo De Paul ultimately powered the ball into the back of the net. Notably, a slip by Nico Cavallo helped the home side get into a position to score.
Throughout parts of the second half, NYCFC, again, did not sit back and accept their fate. They produced some solid attacking sequences, but struggled in front of the goal. The Florida side was hungrier for a goal, but thankfully, the Boys in blue did not allow another one.
What did not make sense, though, was that Jansen did not make any halftime changes. He did make some early substitutions, as Martínez is limited in his playing time. But when Wolf and Kevin O’Toole replaced him and Cavallo in the 57th minute, nothing really changed.
When Luighi came on for Traoré, NYCFC’s play slightly improved. There were some chances in the final third, but the lackluster effort left more to be desired.
However, the Brazilian did have a great chance in the 81st minute. He tried to score via a header, as he sent the ball into the ground, aiming to bounce it into the goal. But it went just wide.
That effort though makes it easy to wonder whether he should have come on at halftime for Traoré, as Martínez can play on the wings.
Moreover, to add to the timing of the substitution criticism, Jansen brought on Malachi Jones and Talles Magno in the 85th minute, taking off Agustín Ojeda and Aiden O’Neill. Sure, the head coach went all in offensively, but maybe he should have done so earlier.
Alas, it took a penalty kick in the dying minutes for NYCFC to have the best chance of the night. But to fit the tone of the issues in front of the goal, Nicolás Fernández Mercau's shot was saved by St. Clair.
In the end, a loss is a loss. It was a little shocking that NYCFC was not dominated and demolished by Inter Miami. They were arguably stronger in their play compared to the Chicago game. But the postseason continues to slip away, and that is the reality the team faces entering the final weeks.
