New York City FC suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to the New England Revolution on Wednesday night at Citi Field, with Daniel Gazdag scoring deep into second-half stoppage time to steal all three points for the visitors.
Assistant Coach Mehdi Ballouchy took charge of NYCFC for the second time, and first during the 2026 season. His side entered the night looking to strengthen its position in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race, but instead walked away empty-handed after conceding at the death.
New England opened the scoring in the first half through Carles Gil. The Revolution captain converted from the penalty spot to put the visitors ahead and leave New York chasing the game.
NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese helped keep the deficit at one, finishing the night with four saves. In the process, Freese surpassed 400 saves for New York City FC across all competitions, bringing his club total to 402.
The Boys in Blue finally found their breakthrough in the 71st minute.
Luighi, who had entered as a substitute just eight minutes earlier, struck from close range to bring NYCFC level at 1-1. It was the Brazilian forward’s third MLS regular-season goal for the club.
Nico Fernández Mercau and Hannes Wolf combined to provide the assists. Fernández Mercau’s seventh assist of the season moved him level with Agustín Ojeda for the team lead and gave the Argentine 25 MLS regular-season goal contributions. Wolf, meanwhile, reached 40 goal contributions for NYCFC across all competitions, with 21 goals and 19 assists.
With momentum on their side, New York pushed for a winner, but it was New England that delivered the decisive blow.
Gazdag scored deep into stoppage time to make it 2-1 and leave NYCFC with a devastating home defeat.
Ballouchy acknowledged afterward that the late goal left the team “a bit deflated,” especially after the game appeared destined for a 1-1 draw. He stressed, however, that NYCFC must quickly turn its attention toward the remaining playoff race and Saturday’s meeting with Real Salt Lake.
James Sands echoed that urgency after the match, pointing to NYCFC’s 2021 MLS Cup-winning season as evidence of how quickly momentum can change. New York had been below the playoff line late that season before finding the run that ultimately carried the club to a championship.
“You need a moment. You need a spark,” Sands said, adding that the players must now take responsibility for creating that moment themselves.
Kevin O’Toole also addressed the supporters, thanking them for continuing to back the team while making clear that simply reaching the postseason isn’t enough.
For NYCFC, there is little time to dwell on Wednesday’s missed opportunity. As Ballouchy put it, the club now effectively faces “10 playoff games,” beginning with a quick turnaround against Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
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