3 things we learned after NYCFC won over the Crew thanks to Hannes Wolf

Scream it from the top of Yankee Stadium.  Scream it from every rooftop in New York City.  The winless streak in Major League Soccer is finally over!  After disappointing result after disappointing result, including the draw with FC Cincinnati and the loss to D.C. United, New York City FC has finally ended the seven-game winless streak.  The team did so by defeating the Columbus Crew.

The Boys in Blue won 3-0 thanks to the heroics from Hannes Wolf.  The winger scored a hat-trick to secure three points for his team, for the first time since March.  The players had just nine shots, but thanks to his ability to capitalize, he ensured that the Pigeons had a great game in front of the goal.

Defensively, NYCFC was better than in some of their past matches.  There were shaky moments that could have gone the wrong way, but Thiago Martins led his backline to the shutout.  There were some mistakes made, but thankfully, nothing led to a goal.  In addition, Martins was the cleanup man in aisle eight, for he helped recover or clear the ball after errors by his teammates.

There truly is nothing better than earning three points after not doing so for so long.  Here are three things we learned from NYCFC’s vital win over the Columbus Crew.

Too many NYCFC fans missed the game

Listen, nobody has to say anything.  Everyone knew the Pigeons were without an MLS win since March, and the streak was awful.  There were quite a few matches that NYCFC should have won or even earned a comeback draw.  But mistakes, scoring issues, and sometimes bad luck led to where NYCFC was at entering Sunday’s match.

However, for a beautiful Sunday, even on Mother’s Day, more fans should have been at the game.  This was the final time at home before the World Cup, and the Boys in Blue will not be back in the Big Apple until July.

The empty seats were sad to see, and many missed the fixture that everyone was craving.  And one cannot even blame the holiday or the fact that it was later in the afternoon on Sunday, for fans of other teams go to games on work and school nights.  Clearly, NYCFC has to get back to winning ways, for the patience of New York teams is usually thin, and this was seen on Sunday.

Hannes Wolf likes to score against Columbus

In the past two matches against the Crew, Wolf has scored five goals against the Ohio side, including the hat-trick on Sunday.  It seems that he likes to score against the team, and these three goals could not have come at a better time.

The winger ended the winless streak for the Pigeons, and would have done so with just the one goal.  But he scored three, including the incredible golazo in the second half.  Wolf thankfully was in the right place at the right time, and around the edge of the box, he ferociously curled the ball into the back of the net.

Meanwhile, there is one thing that Pascal Jansen might want to consider, and that is starting Sunday’s hero as the striker.  The first two goals were strikers’ goals, for he was in the center and made himself available.  He also pounced on the ball like a striker, hinting that he might have the ability to start there.

So why not?  Give Wolf a chance as the starting striker.  This would allow Nicolás Fernández Mercau to start on the wings, which is arguably his stronger position.  NYCFC might benefit from such a decision. 

Thiago Martins played like the NYCFC captain

The Bronx side's defense has been rightfully criticized in 2026.  Perhaps Justin Haak’s departure really hurt the Boys in Blue more than anyone would like to admit.  Yet, the backline as a whole took a step back, including Martins.  The captain had improved greatly and has turned into the defender he is expected to be for NYCFC.

2026 has not been kind, and the center-back did not always play his best.  He has been guilty of committing awful mistakes just like everyone else, and sometimes his play did not give off that captain aura that he should have given off.  Thankfully, against Columbus, he finally played like the captain that he is, cleaning up any messes or mistakes.  His blocks, interventions, and clearances helped NYCFC get the job done and secure the three points.

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