Los Angeles FC hosts New York City FC from BMO Stadium in the second start for both teams in the 2025 Major League Soccer season on Saturday. Both teams will be hoping to improve on their opening-day efforts, with LAFC grabbing a late 1-0 win against Minnesota United and NYCFC playing to a 2-2 draw at Inter Miami.
Match Preview
It took LAFC until well into their season opener to make the breakthrough, but a 78th-minute goal from Jeremy Ebobisse propelled them to a hard-fought victory. The Black and Gold have done this already nine times last season under Steve Cherundolo making a habit of grinding out narrow wins.
LAFC, unbeaten in their last four regular-season matches at home, will be seeking back-to-back victories to begin a season for the first time since 2023. They were a great home option at BMO Stadium last season, winning 11 times and losing just twice — only city rivals LA Galaxy had fewer home losses in the Western Conference.
LAFC earned points from two of their three home matches against Eastern Conference opposition in 2024, including an emphatic 5-0 victory over Nashville SC.
Meanwhile, NYCFC had a slow start to their season. Despite taking the field with a man advantage for more than 60 minutes against Inter Miami, they conceded an equaliser in stoppage time and have now gone seven seasons without winning an opening fixture.
New York was also poor on the road last year, dropping points in nine of their last ten regular-season away games, including a 2-0 loss to CF Montreal on Decision Day. But under new coach Pascal Jansen they looked encouraging in pre-season, winning three from their four away friendlies.
Historically, NYCFC has never lost a regular season match to LAFC, winning its last trip to BMO Stadium by a 2-1 scoreline in 2021.
Team News
LAFC might be missing Maxime Chanot (head injury), Lorenzo Dellavalle (thigh) and Odin Holm (ankle). Some of the weekend debutants include: new signings Mark Delgado, Igor Jesus, Nkosi Tafari and Yaw Yeboah.
Thiago Martins, Malachi Jones and Tayvon Gray are out with leg injuries for NYCFC. Santiago Rodriguez has also joined Botafogo. The goals were scored by Mitja Ilenic and Alonso Martinez vs Inter Miami.
Prediction
Los Angeles FC 2, New York City FC 1
LAFC have figured out how to win close games, while NYCFC have had difficulty in tight contests. Their home form should prove vital in this encounter for the Black and Gold.
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