'They won't hand it over on a silver platter' – NYCFC boss Jansen wary of Montreal threat

New York City FC boss Pascal Jansen insisted CF Montreal "won't hand it over on a silver platter" to them when they face off on Saturday.

NYCFC kept their play-off hopes alive with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Wednesday, with Benie Traore scoring a 95th-minute winner.

It marked the second consecutive game in which they scored a result-changing goal in second-half stoppage time, after Jonathan Shore scored a 99th-minute equaliser in their 2-2 draw with Orlando City SC.

NYCFC are 12th, but only three points off ninth-place Columbus Crew, who currently occupy the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.

After previously lamenting their lack of confidence in front of goal, Jansen hopes their recent late strikes can make a difference with two regular-season games to go.

"We have talked about it quite a bit during this season," said Jansen about their previous confidence problems.

"It's not only the Atlanta game; you saw it last Saturday as well, with the late goal from Johnny Shore.

"The fighting spirit has always been there. But sometimes you need a little spark in order to get it going again.

"We got lucky because in the first half we were not allowed to get our rhythm. But the fighting spirit was there in the second half, and that is the basics you need, especially in the phase we are in as a team, trying to achieve what we are trying to achieve still.

"I think it's a huge boost going into this weekend against Montreal. Because even though they are finished, they won't hand [the win] over on a silver platter."

Montreal are bottom of the East and already out of playoff contention.

Their poor form continued midweek as they were thrashed 4-0 on the road by Charlotte FC.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York City FC – Benie Traore

Traore scored the game-winning goal for NYCFC in Wednesday's win at 94:42.

It was the latest goal from outside the box in an MLS match in NYCFC history, besting David Villa's strike at 92:54 against Columbus in October 2016.

CF Montreal – Hennadii Synchuk

Hennadii Synchuk had Montreal's lone shot on target in the loss to Charlotte.

Over the club's last four matches, Synchuk has five shots on target, while only one other Montreal player has even two in that time (Alexis Sanchez – two).

MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK CITY FC WIN

Both of NYCFC's goals in their win over Atlanta came from outside the box, with the goals coming in the 70th minute and in second-half stoppage time.

It was the second time NYCFC have scored multiple outside-the-box goals in the 70th minute or later in an MLS match (October 2016 v Columbus).

Montreal's defeat to Charlotte marked the fifth MLS match this season that they have allowed four or more goals. That is the second-most such games in an MLS regular season for the club, trailing only their seven such matches in 2024.

However, Montreal have won four straight meetings with NYCFC, keeping clean sheets in all four, after winning just two of the first 20 meetings in all competitions (D5 L13). No team in MLS history has recorded five straight shutout wins over a single opponent in regular-season play.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York City FC – 59.4%

Draw – 21.2%

CF Montreal – 19.4%