Shorthanded D.C. jumps from 10th to 5th in the East; NYCFC drops from 7th to 9th after another flat MLS performance.
By J.J. Pavlick | New York, NY | May 3, 2026 |
On a day when the Five Boro Bike Tour shut down major arteries across the city and throttled attendance at sporting events from the Bronx to Brooklyn, New York City FC delivered another performance that felt just as gridlocked. D.C. United—missing striker Tia Baribo (thigh injury) and center back Sean Nealis (broken clavicle, 6–8 weeks)—arrived undermanned but left with a fully deserved 2–0 win at Citi Field.
The loss drops NYCFC from 7th to 9th in the Eastern Conference. D.C., meanwhile, leaps from 10th to 5th, a massive table swing that underscored the difference in execution between the two sides.
The announced attendance was never released — a silence that said more than a number could. Between the bike tour closures and City’s recent form, the building never felt like a rivalry match.
D.C. Executes. NYCFC Chases.
D.C. United’s plan was simple: stay compact, punish mistakes, and make NYCFC work for every inch. It worked to perfection.
L. Munteanu opened the scoring in the 29th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. The visitors doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 75th, sealing a match that NYCFC never truly threatened to take back.
Head coach Pascal Jansen didn’t hide his frustration with the pattern.
“Once we concede from a defensive error, we’re chasing the game,” Jansen said. “We weren’t good enough in possession and in attack, and that’s why we didn’t get on the scoreboard.”
NYCFC held the ball, but possession without purpose has become a theme during this skid.
A Winless MLS Run That’s Starting to Bite
City hasn’t won an MLS match since April 25. Their only victories since then have come in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, beating Westchester FC 5–2 and Red Bulls New York 3–1 at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
But in league play, the slide is real:
- Record: 3–5–3
- Home: 2–3–2
- Away: 1–2–1
- Goals: 19 scored, 18 conceded
Historically, NYCFC has handled D.C. United well (11‑9‑5 all‑time), and at Citi Field, they’ve been strong (12‑6‑7). None of that mattered today, as United came in with one mission to destroy their rival on the road.
The U.S. Military Color Guard presents the American flag and service banners on the field before the National Anthem during pre‑match ceremonies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Cassandra Casiero/Bad Dawg Media Group/Bad Dawg Sports. D.C. United’s Keisuke Kurokawa brings down NYCFC forward Malachi Jones during Sunday’s match at Citi Field, earning a yellow card for the challenge. Mandatory Credit: Cassandra Casiero/Bad Dawg Media Group/Bad Dawg Sports. D.C. United’s Keisuke Kurokawa commits a foul on NYCFC forward Malachi Jones near the sideline during Sunday’s match at Citi Field, a challenge that resulted in a yellow card. Mandatory Credit: Cassandra Casiero/Bad Dawg Media Group/Bad Dawg Sports. D.C. United midfielder Brandon Servania pushes forward for a chance at goal as NYCFC’s Andrés Perea steps in to defend during Sunday’s match at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Cassandra Casiero/Bad Dawg Media Group/Bad Dawg Sports. D.C. United midfielder Brandon Servania fights for possession against NYCFC’s Jonathan Shore, who was playing CB today near the sideline during Sunday’s match at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Cassandra Casiero/Bad Dawg Media Group/Bad Dawg Sports.
New Faces in the XI, Same Result
Three players made their first MLS Regular Season starts:
- Malachi Jones
- Strahinja Tanasijević
- Nico Cavallo
Andrés Perea made his first home appearance of the season.
And Maxi Moralez, at 39 years and 65 days, extended his record as the oldest NYCFC player ever to start an MLS regular season match—a testament to his longevity, but also a reminder of how much creative burden still falls on him.
Forward Agustín Ojeda said the team needs to shift its mentality.
“As a team we need to start being more proactive,” Ojeda said. “We know we haven’t been having good matches, but that’s football. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.”
On the message to supporters:
“We’re getting poor results, which affects us, but we’re going to get out of this together and start getting positive results.”
Jones and Parks Look Ahead
Forward Malachi Jones, back in the XI, emphasized chemistry and belief.
“Learning to gel with the team is going to be key so that we can be as successful as possible,” he said. “We’re a resilient group… we just need to find that momentum.”
Midfielder Keaton Parks kept the focus on preparation.
“We have a little bit of a break… we just have to prepare, put our heads down, and focus on the next game.”
What’s Next
NYCFC hosts Columbus Crew next Sunday — a match that now carries real weight. The table is tightening, the performances are uneven, and the margin for error is shrinking.
When a club hits a rut this deep, the truth shows up everywhere—in the empty seats, the missed chances, and the quotes that get a little tighter each week. We’ll keep tracking every turn of this season until the results match the ambition.
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