Keys to the Match: Start Point
June 26, 2025 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release
New York City FC travel north to take on CF Montréal this weekend.
Here are the Keys to the Match, presented by Ford.
Start Point
New York City may have only played twice in June, but things ramp up quickly in July. With five matches next month-four on the road and one at home-it promises to be a demanding stretch.
That puts added importance on Saturday's match in Montréal. With the squad rested and recharged, this is a valuable opportunity to begin a six-game stretch on a high note.
Victory could help set the tone for a testing July, giving the team a crucial foundation to build from. The focus, as always, is on the next game-and by staying locked in on that mentality, New York City could lay the groundwork for a memorable month on the road.
Form Guide
CF Montréal haven't had it easy in recent weeks. A defeat last night against FC Cincinnati made it one win in their last five. That victory over Houston was a much-needed boost, but the Canadian side will know that a win is vital on Saturday if they are to stand any chance of closing the gap on the teams above them.
When these two teams last met, it was Montréal who came out on top. That frustrating day in New York will have the Canadian side eyeing a season sweep as they look to secure their third win of the campaign.
New York City, meanwhile, are trending in the right direction. Three wins, a draw, and just one defeat from their last five matches suggest positive momentum, something they'll be eager to continue building.
Fresh off a commanding 4-0 win over Atlanta United, New York City will head to Montréal aiming to showcase further growth with another strong road performance.
Tweaks
Both Pascal Jansen and Marco Donadel will have to rotate their squads this weekend, with several players unavailable due to international duty.
For New York City, that could mean another start for Tomás Romero in goal after his clean sheet last time out. Up front, Mounsef Bakrar will hope to lead the line again. The Algerian striker impressed with a composed finish against Atlanta and has worked hard for his opportunities-particularly in the absence of the in-form Alonso Martínez, who is with Costa Rica.
Donadel has shown a willingness to shift tactics throughout the season. In Montréal's most recent outing against Houston, he deployed a 4-4-2 with two holding midfielders-a shape that also delivered success against New York City at Yankee Stadium earlier this season. The formation looks to make the most of transitional opportunities while offering simplicity and defensive structure.
Whether he sticks with that setup or opts for something new remains to be seen, but it should make for a compelling tactical contest.
Major League Soccer Stories from June 26, 2025
- Dreyer, Iloski, and Varas Named to MLS Team of the Matchday 20 - San Diego FC
- San Diego FC Forward Milan Iloski Named MLS Player of the Matchday Presented by Michelob Ultra for Matchday 20 - San Diego FC
- Earthquakes' Cristian Espinoza, Cristian "Chicho" Arango Selected to MLS Team of the Matchday - San Jose Earthquakes
- Evander and Lukas Engel Named to MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 20 - FC Cincinnati
- Djordje Mihailovic Named to Team of the Matchday for Standout Performance in Shutout Victory over LA Galaxy - Colorado Rapids
- Earthquakes Announce 40,000 Tickets Sold for Saturday's California Clasico vs. LA Galaxy, Presented by El Camino Health - San Jose Earthquakes
- Houston Dynamo FC to Host H-Town Night and Other 713 Day Activations - Houston Dynamo FC
- Timbers Sign Forward Gage Guerra - Portland Timbers
- Colorado Rapids, KSE Appoint Haley Durmer as Chief Business Officer - Colorado Rapids
- D.C. United Forward Kristian Fletcher to Undergo ACL Reconstruction Surgery - D.C. United
- D.C. United Named Best in Class Winner for Asana's 2025 Work Innovation Awards - D.C. United
- FC Cincinnati Stick to Their Principles, Come out Victorious 3-1 in Montréal - FC Cincinnati
- Keys to the Match: Start Point - New York City FC
- Inter Miami CF and Royal Caribbean Team up with University of Miami's Rescue a Reef Program in Celebration of World Oceans Day - Inter Miami CF
- Nathan Saliba Transferred to R.S.C. Anderlecht - Club de Foot Montreal
- Postgame Note: Rapids Defeat LA Galaxy 2-0 at Home - Colorado Rapids
- LA Galaxy Fall 2-0 to Colorado Rapids on Wednesday Night - LA Galaxy
- San Diego FC Defeats Vancouver 5-3, Climbs to Top of Western Conference - San Diego FC
- San Jose's second-half road comeback propels team to fifth in West standings - San Jose Earthquakes
- 'Caps now one point back of first place in the West, with a game in hand - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- First Hat Trick in San Diego FC History by Iloski Leads to a Victory against Vancouver and Top Spot in Western Conference - San Diego FC
- Mihailovic, Harris Goals Catapult Rapids to Shutout Victory over LA Galaxy - Colorado Rapids
- FC Dallas Falls to the San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 - FC Dallas
- Sporting KC Wins in Wild Comeback - Sporting Kansas City
- Chicago Fire FC Falls 1-0 against Philadelphia Union at Soldier Field - Chicago Fire FC
- Crew Outdistance Atlanta 3=1 - Columbus Crew SC
- New England Revolution Falls to Nashville SC, 2-3 - New England Revolution
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