3 things we learned after NYCFC lost to CF Montréal for the fourth time in a row | OneFootball

New York City FC was fortunate to escape the dreary rain of New York when the Boys in Blue traveled to Canada to take on CF Montréal.  Recent history has not been kind to them, for the Canadian team has stolen wins despite their struggles.  Sadly, this trend continued as the Bronx team fell 1-0, losing the fourth game in a row against the opposition.

The lone goal was scored when NYCFC was not playing well.  Prince Owusu secured the win in the 18th minute, and the Pigeons failed to produce the offensive performance that they had during the midweek draw with FC Cincinnati.  They eventually elevated their play to make the game competitive, but that was about it for the Boys in Blue.

It was not even an awful game for the backline.  They, too, except for the goal, were solid.  Matt Freese had four saves, and Thiago Martins was better compared to the last match.  Sure, they were a mess to start the game, but everyone cleaned up one another’s poor plays and mistakes. One could make the argument that the score could have been 3-0 after those first 20 minutes.

As a whole, it was not a good game, for three points were needed.  With frustration high, here are three things we learned from NYCFC’s loss to CF Montréal.

Talles Magno should start for NYCFC

This has become a constant trend over the last few weeks, and here at Skyscraper Blues and across social media, people are calling for Talles Magno to start in Major League Soccer.  The Brazilian has been superb off the bench and was great in the U.S. Open Cup start.

Yet, he has not started for NYCFC in MLS.  He continued to come off the bench on Saturday, which was shocking since Hannes Wolf was out due to injury.  Instead, Head Coach Pascal Jansen started Arnau Farnós as the right-winger, who was just signed to a first-team contract.  The rookie had an okay start and some solid moments.  But Magno was better when he came on the pitch.

Jansen’s supposed reasoning was due to the player being a number nine, which he is not.  Yet NYCFC is still trying to play him there.  Plus, Seymour Reid came on as a substitute with the Brazilian, meaning that he played as a winger.  Sure, Magno got into the center-forward section multiple times, but he is a roaming forward.

As such, the reason was null and void.  Something fishy is brewing, and NYCFC would be better off giving Magno a chance.  So, why not, Jansen?  What is the deal?

Pascal Jansen is under fire

After the 2025 season, fans were still in a honeymoon period.  Jansen had a good first season with the Boys in Blue, leading his team to a fifth-place finish in the Eastern Conference and then the Conference Finals in the MLS Cup Playoffs.  And, after a 3-0-1 start in 2026, things were looking positive for NYCFC.

Now, as the winless streak extended to six games after the loss to Montréal, the head coach is under some fire.  Many fans appear frustrated with his stubbornness to not start Magno, and some of his substitution choices and the timing were wonky decisions.  In addition, NYCFC has their second-worst start in club history.  This was not expected, but Jansen is starting to feel eerily familiar to the former head coach, Nick Cushing.

The current head coach does not want those comparisons, and if the poor results continue, then the fans who loved him last year will turn on him.  The Boys in Blue should be better despite the lack of a true starting striker, but instead, darkness plagues the team.  And Jansen does not have an answer.

Andrés Perea is back for NYCFC

After suffering a leg injury in the 2025 postseason, Andrés Perea made his return to NYCFC when he came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute.  At first, everyone thought the injury would keep him out longer.  Thankfully, that is not the case.

Perea will undoubtedly be an important player for NYCFC, especially with his versatility to play in multiple positions.  He might take some time to build back up to the form he was in at the end of 2025, but the midfielder will hopefully make an impact over the next few weeks.  The Pigeons need help.