Nicolás Fernández Mercau hasn’t taken his eye off the prize for New York Metropolis FC.
Whereas questions stay about what the long run might maintain for the NYCFC star, he hasn’t misplaced a step on the pitch, scoring his twelfth aim of the season Saturday to maneuver right into a tie for the second-most targets in all of MLS and serving to raise the membership to a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Hearth at Yankee Stadium.
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The Argentine has been a star for the membership all season, and his efforts now have him tied with soccer legend Lionel Messi for targets throughout this yr’s MLS marketing campaign.
Nicolás Fernández Mercau celebrates throughout NYCFC’s 3-1 win over the Chicago on July 25, 2026 at Yankee Stadium. Getty Photographs
“That is pure high quality and persona mixed. All of us noticed earlier than the break what he is able to,” New York Metropolis FC head coach Pascal Jansen mentioned about Fernández Mercau. “All of us noticed what he is able to when he began rising into the 2025 season, so for me, it is not a shock. Nico could be very proficient, however he is a winner additionally and nice persona.”
Saturday was the second consecutive match Fernández Mercau had scored in, coming after a report earlier within the week indicated that the membership’s finest participant needs a switch.
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The information got here as a little bit of a shock and was not essentially denied by Jansen earlier within the week when he was requested about it following the win over Columbus on Wednesday.
Fernández Mercau was capable of finding the again of the web on a left-footed blast from simply exterior the field that discovered the highest left nook.
Agustín Ojeda makes an attempt a shot throughout NYCFC’s July 25 win. Getty Photographs
The shot was fired with such energy that it appeared to interrupt the Apple TV digicam that was positioned within the aim.
“He loves the sport even after touring to Columbus, pushing himself to carry the extent right now once more like he did,” Jansen mentioned Saturday. “And lifting the staff to a different stage as properly, and that is why he selected the undertaking of New York and hopefully we are able to get pleasure from Nico for a really very long time.”
Malachi Jones celebrates his aim throughout NYCFC’s July 25 win. IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join
Agustín Ojeda and Malachi Jones every scored for New York Metropolis FC.
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Saturday additionally marked NYCFC and U.S. males’s nationwide staff goalkeeper Matt Freese’s first match again within the Empire State for the reason that finish of the World Cup.
Freese had been booed each time he touched the ball throughout Wednesday’s win over Columbus, however obtained a a lot hotter welcome at Yankee Stadium.
In a single occasion, Freese made an excellent save on a shot by Puso Dithejane within the 89th minute, which resulted in a loud roar and followers chanting “Freese.”
“Clearly, unimaginable honor to have the power and the assist from our followers right here,” Freese mentioned. “I do not thoughts getting booed. Respectfully, I am from Philadelphia, and something they’re saying to me on the sector, I can assure you, I’ve mentioned worse at Eagles video games. So I am fantastic with it.”