Nicolás Fernández Mercau hasn’t taken his eye off the prize for New York City FC.
While questions remain about what the future may hold for the NYCFC star, he hasn’t lost a step on the pitch, scoring his 12th goal of the season Saturday to move into a tie for the second-most goals in all of MLS and helping lift the club to a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Fire at Yankee Stadium.
The Argentine has been a star for the club all season, and his efforts now have him tied with soccer legend Lionel Messi for goals during this year’s MLS campaign.
“That’s pure quality and personality combined. We all saw before the break what he’s capable of,” New York City FC head coach Pascal Jansen said about Fernández Mercau. “We all saw what he’s capable of when he started growing into the 2025 season, so for me, it’s not a surprise. Nico is very talented, but he’s a winner also and great personality.”
Saturday was the second consecutive match Fernández Mercau had scored in, coming after a report earlier in the week indicated that the club’s best player wants a transfer.
The news came as a bit of a surprise and was not necessarily denied by Jansen earlier in the week when he was asked about it following the win over Columbus on Wednesday.
Fernández Mercau was able to find the back of the net on a left-footed blast from just outside the box that found the top left corner.
The shot was fired with such power that it appeared to break the Apple TV camera that was positioned in the goal.
“He loves the game even after traveling to Columbus, pushing himself to bring the level today again like he did,” Jansen said Saturday. “And lifting the team to another level as well, and that’s why he chose the project of New York and hopefully we can enjoy Nico for a very long time.”
Agustín Ojeda and Malachi Jones each scored for New York City FC.
Saturday also marked NYCFC and U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Freese’s first match back in the Empire State since the end of the World Cup.
Freese had been booed every time he touched the ball during Wednesday’s win over Columbus, but received a much warmer welcome at Yankee Stadium.
In one instance, Freese made a good save on a shot by Puso Dithejane in the 89th minute, which resulted in a loud roar and fans chanting “Freese.”
“Obviously, incredible honor to have the energy and the support from our fans here,” Freese said. “I don’t mind getting booed. Respectfully, I’m from Philadelphia, and anything they’re saying to me on the field, I can guarantee you, I’ve said worse at Eagles games. So I’m fine with it.”
