It could be too early to dub Nicolás Fernández Mercau the King of Queens — New York Metropolis FC’s — however the 26-year-old Argentine has proven why the membership’s religion in him was warranted when it signed him as a delegated participant final summer time.
Two weeks in the past, when one of many world’s biggest soccer gamers made an look within the Huge Apple, it was Fernández Mercau who almost stole the present together with his play. And his 5 targets by means of the primary 5 video games of the season, which included a brace in opposition to Colorado, have made him the primary participant in membership historical past to realize the feat.
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Coming into Saturday’s 1-1 draw in opposition to St. Louis Metropolis SC at Citi Discipline, Fernández Mercau was tied for third within the MLS Golden Boot race.
What’s made the begin to the season all of the extra spectacular has been the truth that he’s finished so taking part in a place he doesn’t historically play. Fernández Mercau has served as NYCFC’s striker — or as head coach Pascal Jansen jokingly calls it, the “9 ½” — whereas Alonso Martínez has been sidelined, regardless that the Argentine is historically a midfielder.
“It’s clearly a brand new place that I’m taking part in, however I really feel actually snug in it,” Fernández Mercau advised The Submit by means of a translator. “It’s nothing that I’m doing completely different. It’s nonetheless placing in the identical onerous work that I’ve all the time finished, however I assume feeling snug has positively helped out. Nevertheless it’s nothing [different in training].”
New York Metropolis FC knew they had been getting an impression participant when through the summer time switch window in 2025. His creativity allowed NYCFC’s offense to generate possibilities, rating well timed targets through the 2025 playoff run, and his two-way skill, making tackles and blocking pictures, solely added to his worth.
Nicolas Fernandez #7 of New York Metropolis FC celebrates after scoring the crew’s first objective through the MLS match between New York Metropolis FC and Inter Miami CF at Yankee Stadium on March 22, 2026 in New York, New York. Getty Pictures
Because the begin of this season, he’s solely given NYCFC extra confidence of their choice to carry him over from La Liga facet Elche CF.
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“To see him discover his place in every thing we’re attempting to realize right here is one thing that we might solely dream of,” Jansen stated. “That is one thing I sensed as soon as I had the primary dialog with him again in [2025] and he was nonetheless in Argentina, having fun with his break after a really intense season at Elche.
New York Metropolis FC midfielder Nicolás Fernández (7) dribbles the ball in opposition to Inter Miami FC through the first half of an MLS soccer sport at Yankee Stadium. Sunday, March 22, 2026 in New York. Noah Ok. Murray-NY Submit
“Up to now, he hasn’t upset anyone right here on the membership. As soon as he joined this mission, that is what we anticipated and we’re hoping for extra.”
Fernández Mercau’s fast success in MLS has additionally meant the potential for curiosity from different golf equipment outdoors the league. Through the worldwide break, a rumor circulated that Portuguese golf equipment Sporting CP and SL Benfica had been serious about Fernández Mercau for a possible summer time switch window transfer.
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Jansen stated that he was “not conscious if there’s any curiosity” in Fernández Mercau, although Jansen didn’t sound stunned that there can be, contemplating Fernández Mercau’s scorching begin.
New York Metropolis FC midfielder Nicolás Fernández (7) celebrates his objective through the first half in opposition to the Inter Miami at Yankee Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Join
“In case you play nicely, you do nicely, that’s a part of our world in soccer. You’ll all the time get curiosity from wherever on this planet,” Jansen stated. “When there’s curiosity, there’s curiosity. And as soon as individuals report on the door, then we’ll cope with it as soon as it’s there.”
Fernández Mercau advised Spanish-language radio broadcaster Roberto Abramowitz that his focus was on the pitch.
“It’s soccer and there’s all the time a bunch of rumors. I have to concentrate on what I have to do,” he stated.
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The 26-year-old advised The Submit that he’s loved his time in New York Metropolis since becoming a member of NYCFC final summer time.
“Everyone spoke extremely of the town and having the ability to expertise it myself, I really feel the similar, “ he stated. “Been actually joyful, attending to know the town, being a part of the town.
“Dwelling in New York and that’s type of helped me be snug, and [contributed] to the beginning of the season as nicely.”