When Malachi Jones stepped onto the pitch late in Saturday's 2-0 loss for New York City FC , it marked the first time he had appeared in a competitive match for the club since June 28, 2024.
Now, head coach Pascal Jansen hinted that more playing time could be coming for the 22-year-old footballer with NYCFC beginning its run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday against USL League One side, Westchester SC.
Jansen said during a Monday press conference that it "might be possible" that Jones gets into the match taking place in Mount Vernon.
Malachi Jones of New York City FC celebrates after scoring a goal during MLS League match between Toronto FC and New York City FC at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada on May 11, 2024. Anadolu via Getty Images
Jones has missed most of the previous two seasons after suffering a right tibia fracture during a match against Orlando City in 2024, which resulted in the NYCFC forward having to undergo two separate procedures to address the injury.
"We have to take into account that he is becoming fitter and fitter through training," Jansen said. "And obviously, he needs game time as well in order to get to the level where we can use him hopefully in full games again. The next step is tomorrow. He's on the roster and we'll have to see if it's a game where we can allow him to play some more minutes again."
Jones played 15 minutes in Saturday's loss to the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps , subbing in for Agustín Ojeda in the 78th minute.
Following the match, Jansen said the club was "so happy' for Jones and suggested that New York City FC would look to get the forward minutes with the second team to help him get back into playing shape.
Jones, who was picked eighth overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by NYCFC and quickly made an impression on the club with a goal and four assists through 14 appearances that same year before the injury.
Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup match in Westchester does provide Jansen a good opportunity to get Jones more minutes, especially with a congested schedule for New York City FC over the next two weeks.
Malachi Jones #88 of New York City FC dribbles away from Marco Delgado #8 of Los Angeles Galaxy during a 2-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on June 19, 2024 Getty Images
The club will play five matches over the next two weeks, which includes their already completed match against Vancouver that they had to travel across the country for, and will see NYCFC play Westchester on Tuesday, Charlotte FC on Saturday at Citi Field, Cincinnati FC at Yankee Stadium on April 22 and have to travel to Montreal to play on April 25.
"We put a lot of emphasis on recovery, which started immediately after the game in Vancouver," Jansen said. "And that will be the key also to maintain a certain freshness within the group going forward to all these games that have to be played."
Similar to the FA Cup in English football, the U.S. Open Cup is a tournament that pits clubs from across the American soccer spectrum against one another.
Should New York City FC win, they would potentially face Red Bull New York in the Round of 16.
The Red Bulls would need to defeat the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC this week as well for that to happen.
