Matchday 31 of the 2026 MLS season will see NYCFC host LAFC at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. This will be LAFC’s first trip to face NYCFC in New York City since March 17th, 2019, a match that ended in a 2-2 draw. NYCFC are coming off a 2-0 loss away at Inter Miami, in which Argentine Nicolás Fernández had a penalty saved in stoppage time. It was their second straight defeat and their fourth game without a win. That’s just a small piece of the bigger issue, because if you zoom out, NYCFC have won only 1 of their last 13 matches across all competitions. Pascal Jansen’s side currently sits 10th in the Eastern Conference table, just outside the final playoff spot, with 33 points from 8 wins, 9 draws, and 12 losses. Injuries haven’t helped this season, as Drew Baiera, Arnau Farnós, Maxi Moralez, Keaton Parks, and Kai Trewin are all out for the match against LAFC. Although it’s been a poor season, there are still bright spots within the team in players like Nicolás Fernández and Agustín Ojeda. Even though his penalty was saved in the last match, Fernández has had a good season, with 15 goals so far in the league. Ojeda has also impressed, with 11 assists in the league. LAFC are coming off a 3-1 home win over Austin FC, their first win after a four-game winless streak. It was also Tamarit’s second game in charge and his first win with the club. Gabonese forward Denis Bouanga scored a brace in that game, his 16th and 17th league goals of the season. He is currently tied for fourth in the Golden Boot race alongside Brian White, Kevin Denkey, Sam Surridge, and Rafael Navarro, and he is on track to become the first player in MLS history to score 20 or more goals in four straight seasons. Son Heung-min scored and provided two assists in that match, putting him at 15 assists and leading the league in that category. LAFC now sit 6th in the Western Conference table with 45 points, from 12 wins, 9 draws, and 9 losses. One interesting fact to keep note of is that LAFC have a record of 17 wins and 4 draws when scoring first across all competitions this year. Historically, this fixture doesn’t favor either side. In the four matches the two have played, NYCFC and LAFC have each won once, with two draws. For NYCFC, a win is needed to stay near the playoff spots and keep their postseason hopes alive, while a win for LAFC would bring them closer to clinching a playoff spot and keep them in the race for a top-4 finish.