New York City FC head coach Pascal Jansen has underlined his team’s desire to control games and dictate play, as they prepare to take on Minnesota United.
City welcomes the Loons to Yankee Stadium on Sunday, hoping to return to winning ways after defeat against Atlanta United last time out. Speaking to the media on Thursday ahead of the game, Jansen confirmed the team’s continued commitment to their playing style.
“Like always, in our games, we want to control the game,” he said. “We want to control the ball. We have to find a good balance between when we're going to play a little bit more direct ourselves because we've seen a few opportunities in that area as well. But basically, controlling the counter while you're in possession and attacking is the biggest challenge for us.”
City were undone by three unanswered second-half goals in Atlanta, a result that ended a three-game unbeaten run. Despite the disappointment attached to the result, Jansen revealed his team’s mentality has not changed as they prepare to take on Eric Ramsay's side this weekend.
“We’ve had our evaluations, like normal,” he explained. “We always take the time after six games to look back and see what the patterns have been; the positives and the negatives. I always say, 24 hours—whether it’s success or disappointment—you’ve got 24 hours to feel it, and then we move on and focus on ourselves again.”
Minnesota arrives in the Five Boroughs in a rich vein of form, unbeaten in five in the league. Leading the charge in the final third are strike duo Tani Oluwaseyi and Kelvin Yeboah. The pair both have four goals already this season and will be central to Minnesota’s attacking efforts on Sunday.
“That’s a huge part of their strategy, and they’ve been very successful going into the MLS this season,” Jansen said of Minnesota’s direct play. “It’s something we have to manage carefully. When we’re attacking, we still have to be in control—controlling the counter while you’re in possession is a tough task, but it’s one we’re prepared for.”
Sunday’s contest will also serve a broader purpose as part of the club’s “Healthy Lives” initiative—something Jansen believes reflects deeper values that go beyond the pitch.
“It’s a huge part that we emphasize throughout the week,” he said. “Being healthy is something that we have to cherish as a community. It’s very hard nowadays to make sure you keep a healthy mind and a healthy body, but there are ways. Whether it’s food, nutrition, sleep, or lifestyle—it all matters. Within our club, within our community, we take that seriously.”
