Oct 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC defender Kevin O’Toole (22) celebrates with New York City FC forward Benie Traore (9) during the second half against the Atlanta United at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
NYCFC escaped with all three points and kept its playoff hopes very much alive thanks to Bénie Traoré’s wonder strike from outside the box in the 95th minute to secure a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Wednesday night.
While it remains in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, New York remains within striking distance of the final playoff spot — just three points behind ninth-place Columbus. If Pascal Jansen’s men hope to play postseason soccer, they would need many of the final fixtures over the next two matchweeks to go their way, but this win is a step in the right direction.
The first stretch was dominated by Atlanta; the ball barely left New York’s half, and Matt Freese had to be on his game to keep the Boys in Blue from going down early. Freese’s first-half heroics and Breel Embolo’s headed goal being disallowed for offside meant the teams went into the break scoreless.
“We were trying to find our rhythm, but we couldn’t find it, and that was because of the opponent,” Jansen said. “They were in charge the first 20 minutes, and that is not our game, so you have to be able to step up your game.”
New York City were barely a threat through open play with their best goal scorer on the pitch, and their attacking prowess faltered even more in the first half with Alonso Martínez missing from the front line because of an injury. Talles Magno came in to replace the injured Martínez.
The second half was much more back and forth. New York was able to grow into the game more and made moves into the Atlanta box after quick and efficient counters led by Andreas Perea and Nicolás Fernández Mercau. Jansen urged his players to be more direct and aggressive in order to create a spark that could steer the team to victory.
That spark came from two moments of brilliance from New York attackers that ended up securing the win for them. Before Traoré scored the winner, Fernández was able to break the deadlock with a well-placed free kick in the 70th minute
On the flip side, Atlanta seemed to be consistently creating chances or causing danger with every possession. Their wingers were able to run at New York’s fullbacks consistently. The equalizer ended up being created from one of these instances after a nice cut inside from Fafà Picault, whose curled effort hit the post before Embolo provided the finishing touch in the 88th minute.
Martínez’s injury is the one big loss from this game after having to leave the first half preemptively due to another medical setback. New York City’s main striker had just recently returned to the team after missing an extended period with injury, and he was going to play a key role in this final push.
Citi Field will host Montreal on Saturday afternoon as NYCFC try to avoid a scary result as they continue their postseason pursuit on Halloween.
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