Keys to the Match: Fortress

Published on April 30, 2025 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release

New York City FC host FC Cincinnati at Citi Field on Sunday afternoon.

Here are the Keys to the Match, presented by Ford.

Fortress

New York City FC have found early success at home in 2025, with three of the team's last four wins coming in the Five Boroughs.

Those results have included victories against an in-form Philadelphia Union and a free-scoring Orlando City. Losing just one of their first four home games has helped City stay above the playoff line, with strong home form vital for a team aspiring to challenge at the top of the table.

While City did suffer a disappointing narrow defeat to Minnesota United at the start of April, they will now have the chance to make it four wins from five home games this Sunday.

Shootout

Both New York City FC and FC Cincinnati boast in-form strikers in Alonso Martínez and Kévin Denkey.

The Togolese international arrived for big money in the offseason from Cercle Brugge and has wasted no time finding the net.

Currently sitting on six goals-the same total as Martínez-Denkey is the lone forward in Pat Noonan's 3-4-3 formation. His form is a major reason why Cincinnati find themselves atop the Eastern Conference after ten games, with his brace in their last outing helping Cincy edge past Sporting KC.

He will now go face-to-face with City's star striker Martínez, who notched his sixth goal of the season against Toronto FC. Both teams will be focused on providing service for their leading scorers, setting up the potential for a classic shootout at Citi Field on Sunday as both look to boost their goal tallies for the campaign.

Queens

Being back in the World's Borough is always a fun time for New York City FC.

Sunday's game at Citi Field presents an opportunity to make more good memories in Queens. New York City lost just one of their six regular-season outings at Citi Field in 2024, picking up 11 points from a possible 15.

They kicked off 2025 with a win against the Union in Queens and will now hope to add to that tally again on Sunday. The weather forecast looks good, meaning there's no reason to miss out.

Major League Soccer Stories from April 30, 2025

• Inter Miami CF Falls against Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinals - Inter Miami CF
• CF Montréal Knocks out Toronto FC - Club de Foot Montreal
• Toronto FC (2) - CF Montréal (2) Postgame Summary - Toronto FC
• Sounders FC Teams up with Bonneville Environmental Foundation to Invest in Local Nonprofit Organizations as Part of Continued Commitment to Protect Our Planet - Seattle Sounders FC
• New England Revolution Academy Highlights: April 30 - New England Revolution
• Toronto FC Sign Dékwon Barrow to Short-Term Agreement - Toronto FC
• Keys to the Match: Fortress - New York City FC
• Kévin Denkey Wins MLS Goal of the Matchday for Matchday 10 - FC Cincinnati
• NordVPN Joins New York City FC as Official Partner - New York City FC
• Brian White Named MLS Player of the Month for April - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Charlotte FC Head Coach Dean Smith and Midfielder Ashley Westwood Fined by MLS for Public Criticism - Charlotte FC
• Head Coach Chris Armas to be Inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame - Colorado Rapids
• Nashville SC Elevates General Manager Mike Jacobs to President of Soccer Operations and GM, Extends Contract Through 2028 - Nashville SC

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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