Keys to the Match: Response
May 30, 2025 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release
New York City FC take on Nashville SC on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM ET.
Here are the Keys to the Match, presented by Ford.
Response
Wednesday night's game against the Houston Dynamo didn't go New York City FC's way, but there's no time to dwell.
The quick turnaround between then and Saturday's game gives the Boys in Blue a chance to reset and respond with the kind of performance that has defined their recent run.
New York City FC have picked up some impressive wins against high-performing teams this season-beating both FC Cincinnati and the Philadelphia Union. Equally, their two wins against Nashville in MLS have come in their last three meetings, something that should build confidence heading into Saturday.
City have shown tremendous character at points this season. That resilience will be key again on the road.
Goals
Nashville has been difficult to beat at home. Four wins and one draw in their last five outings at GEODIS Park highlight how strong the Boys in Gold are on home turf.
That one draw, however, came in their last outing against D.C. United. City can certainly take some lessons from that game in terms of keeping Nashville out, with the hosts having had 11 different goal scorers in the league so far this season.
Undoubtedly, though, the star attackers for Nashville are Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge. City will need to be in top form to deny the pair, who each have 12 goal involvements in 2025.
Statement
New York City FC have had some tricky moments on the road in 2025. Despite that, only two defeats in their last five road games have seen them collect five points.
A win in Toronto was undoubtedly the high point, and that 1-0 success is exactly the kind of result the team would take this Saturday. Last season, City suffered a narrow defeat in Tennessee before beating Nashville 3-1 at home.
It was that latter game that saw Alonso Martínez put City 3-0 up in the 21st minute. A repeat of that on Saturday would be wonderful, but City's primary focus must be on victory-and nothing more than that.
Major League Soccer Stories from May 30, 2025
- LAFC To Battle Club América in FIFA Club World Cup Play-In Match at BMO Stadium on May 31 - Los Angeles FC
- San Diego FC Hosts Austin FC on Saturday for Summer Kickoff, Presented by California Bank & Trust, at Snapdragon Stadium - San Diego FC
- Earthquakes, California Giant Berry Farms Partner with America SCORES at Grow the Game Event in Watsonville on May 31 - San Jose Earthquakes
- Match Preview: Charlotte FC at Toronto FC: May 31, 2025 - Charlotte FC
- Revolution Visit CF Montréal on Saturday Night - New England Revolution
- Inter Miami CF Takes on Columbus Crew at Home this Saturday - Inter Miami CF
- Houston Dynamo FC Return to Shell Energy Stadium to Host Sporting Kansas City - Houston Dynamo FC
- CF Montréal to Host New England Revolution Saturday at Stade Saputo - Club de Foot Montreal
- Earthquakes Announce First-Ever Postgame Fireworks Show at PayPal Park for July 5 Match vs. New York Red Bulls - San Jose Earthquakes
- Availability Report: Trio to Miss Nashville Trip - New York City FC
- Statement from San Diego FC on Disciplinary Action Following May 24 Incidents - San Diego FC
- Keys to the Match: Response - New York City FC
- FC Cincinnati Games to Re-Air Locally on FOX 19 and Rock Entertainment Sports Network - FC Cincinnati
- Sporting KC Visits Houston Dynamo on Saturday - Sporting Kansas City
- FC Cincinnati Welcomes D.C. United to TQL Stadium Ahead of International Break - FC Cincinnati
- Forward Bryce Jamison Called up to U.S. U-19 Men's National Team for International Friendlies in Spain - Colorado Rapids
- Revolution Defender Peyton Miller Called up to United States Under-20 National Team - New England Revolution
- Sharpen the Tools: Ingredients of the Match: Charlotte FC at Toronto FC - Charlotte FC
- D.C. United Loans Forward Hakim Karamoko to Loudoun United FC - D.C. United
- Real Salt Lake Concludes Double-Game Roadtrip Saturday at LA Galaxy - Real Salt Lake
- Emerging Real Salt Lake Standout Zavier Gozo Named to U.S.A. U-20 Men's National Team Camp - Real Salt Lake
- Sergio Oregel Jr. Called to U.S. U-20 Men's National Team for International Training Camp - Chicago Fire FC
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC Welcome BLG as Official Law Firm and Jersey Sleeve Partner - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
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