New York City FC pulled off an upset over Charlotte FC in the opening match of this best-of-three series of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
A chilly night in North Carolina featured a tense matchup between Eastern Conference foes who split their two meetings this season, with each team winning their home regular season game 2-0. The first half was dominated by a high-flying New York City side that took advantage of a home side that just didn’t look comfortable on the ball.
The match opened up in the second half and featured a playoff intensity from both sides that was lacking in the first, and Charlotte FC, with the home crowd behind them, were able to put more pressure on a stubborn NYCFC. It was a nervous final fifteen minutes for the away side who defended with their lives.
The visitors got the job done and the first away win of this year's MLS playoffs goes to New York City FC. Here are four thoughts on that dramatic win.
1. Fluid formation leads to a clean sheet
The New York City lineup was an interesting one to dissect before kickoff. With Hannes Wolf forced to the bench, what side would Nico Fernández Mercau play on, and what player would occupy the opposite? Would Justin Haak spend much of the match in the midfield? Would the defense feature a back-three?
In short, yes, and it paid off. Tuesday night's formation featured a fluid system that saw players in various positions throughout the night. At times, a back three featured Thiago Martins, Haak, and Raul Gustavo, with Kevin O'Toole and Tayvon Gray operating down the left and right flanks respectively. At times, Haak stepped into the midfield and Gray would slot into the back with Thiago Martins and Raul.
This fluidity allowed for New York center-backs to jump to balls played into the attacking third and stifle the always-dangerous counter attacks of Charlotte, which in the first half had little to no success, allowing Charlotte to put up just 0.12 expected goals (xG). It’ll be curious to see if manager Pascal Jansen will elect to go with a similar system at home for Game 2, especially considering Wilfried Zaha will be back available for selection on Saturday afternoon in the Bronx after serving a one-game suspension today.
Hudson River Blue Staff
2. Alonso Martínez back on the scoresheet
New York City FC’s main man got back amongst the goals at the right time. The team’s leading goalscorer entered Tuesday night’s back with 18 league goals, yet had been goalless in Major League Soccer since September 20th, ironically the last time these two teams met when he converted a pair of penalty kicks.
One of the common themes in this series was whether or not the Costa Rican could break his "duck," as well as if this team was capable of advancing through Round One without him contributing.
Well, it’s official, he's back. Right from the off, Martínez was quick, decisive and most importantly, involved. In the opening five minutes, it was Martínez's aggressiveness that won an early corner, and he created two shots for himself. Seeing early action has to be a huge contributor to confidence, confidence that was displayed in the 34th minute when New York City's striker dribbled through a sea of light blue shirts to slot away one of the best goals you'll see in these playoffs.
3. High press, physicality
The Boys in Blue's pressing was a joy to watch and put Charlotte’s backline under loads of stress. It seemed like the majority of NYCFC's chances were generated by this aggressive tactic and taking advantage of what was a sloppy first half performance from Charlotte FC.
In the 31st minute, a wonderful pressing move saw Martínez set up Andrés Perea on the edge of the area, who curled his shot onto the crossbar, just inches from giving New York City the opening goal.
Another massive part of their game was physicality. The challenges were flying in and both sides were taking full advantage of that little bit of extra physicality that comes with the playoffs. It was a beneficial tactic in the first half, but in the second, the whistle was a frequent feature and the yellow cards began to flash, especially for the backline of New York City, something to keep an eye on as the playoffs continue on – five NYCFC players earned yellow cards before the night was over.
4. Massive away win
One of the biggest talking points entering this series was home-field advantage. After a dramatic Decision Day that saw NYCFC fall to Seattle Sounders, Charlotte FC locked up the final home field advantage spot in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte FC had won 13 out of their previous 17 at home this season, including a 2-0 triumph against their playoff opponents, New York City, back in July.
Coming into tonight’s match, NYCFC had won just two away playoff games in 11 attempts. There’s no need to put it lightly: This is a massive win for the Pigeons. In front of a roaring crowd at the Bank of America Stadium, it was the visiting team that walked away with the advantage in the series.
The job isn’t finished of course as two wins are required to advance out of the first round of the MLS Playoffs, but the morale will be high going back to Yankee Stadium for Game 2 on Saturday.
