NYCFC's 2-1 Loss at Chicago Exposes the Gap to the Deila Era

New York City FC took the lead at Chicago Fire on Saturday, lost it, and then lost the match. Hannes Wolf scored in the 19th minute, with assists from Agustin Ojeda and Alonso Martinez, to put NYCFC 1-0 up. Chicago's Dje D'Avilla was sent off in the 43rd minute after a second yellow card, leaving the Fire short-handed. Anton Salétros equalised in the 55th minute, and Maren Haile-Selassie scored the winner in the 87th. Chicago improved to 14-8-6 and have won three straight; NYCFC fell to 8-11-9.

Under Ronny Deila in 2022, NYCFC took 2.0 points per game over 13 league matches, with a record of 8W 2D 3L. Under Pascal Jansen in 2026, the return is 1.22 points per game over 27 league matches, with a record of 8W 9D 10L.

Expected goals were 1.38 for Chicago and 1.40 for NYCFC. Shots were 14 to 12 in Chicago's favour; shots on target were 6 to 4 in NYCFC's favour. Big chances were 4 to 2 in NYCFC's favour. Possession was 53 per cent to NYCFC, 47 to Chicago. Corners were level at 4-4.

Since the summer, the only permanent or major loan signing named in the available reporting is Bénie Traoré.

The results before and including this match read: 0-0 against Nashville SC on 4 September; 1-2 against New England on 10 September; a 2-0 win at Salt Lake on 13 September; 0-1 against the New York Red Bulls on 18 September; 2-2 at Atlanta United on 26 September; and now 2-1 at Chicago. That is one win in six, with three defeats.