Playoff soccer returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time since 2021 and New York City FC lost to Charlotte FC 7-6 on penalty kicks after playing to a scoreless draw in regulation.
Nothing could separate the two teams and it took eight rounds of penalties to decide a winner, with Charlotte’s Kristijan Kahlina making a save on AgustĂn Ojeda to give the visiting team the win at Yankee Stadium.
Here are four thoughts from the playoff match in the Bronx.
1. Poor first half
NYCFC set the tone early last Tuesday against Charlotte — one of the best home teams in MLS. In the first half, New York City had 57 percent possession and put four of its eight shots on target, good for 1.35 expected goals (xG).
Fast forward to Saturday and Game 2, the first half was a completely different story. NYCFC dominated possession yet again but had nothing to show for it. Instead, it was Charlotte who was the better team.
Brandt Bronico hit the crossbar in the 14th minute, and Ashley Westwood did the same 26 minutes later. Harry Toffolo also missed a tap-in from point-blank range. Charlotte had the chances but it was still scoreless at the break.
Kevin O’Toole — making his second straight start on the left wing — was New York City’s best player in the first half, creating three chances. But none were created for Alonso MartĂnez, who scored the game-winning goal last Tuesday.
2. Another half, just as disappointing
The second half followed the same trend, except that both teams were quiet offensively.
Head Coach Pascal Jansen made his first two substitutions in the 68th minute, bringing on AgustĂn Ojeda and Hannes Wolf for O’Toole and Maxi Moralez, respectively.
NYCFC had its best chance of the game in the 74th minute. Off a free kick, Nicolás Fernández’s cross was met with a thundering header from Thiago Martins, but Kristijan Kahlina saved it.
New York City totaled eight shots, four on target, in the second half, but only one really threatened Kahlina. Charlotte had two second-half shots, both of which were saved.
With the game scoreless after 90 minutes, it would be decided via a penalty shootout.
3. Penalty shootout goes Charlotte’s way
Both teams made their first spot kicks, but Matt Freese came up big on Ashley Westwood’s attempt, guessing the right way to make the save. Both teams then traded spot kicks up until the fourth round, when Julián Fernández put his penalty completely wide.
It was all tied at 4-4 after five rounds. In sudden death penalties, both sides remained perfect until the eighth round, when Kahlina denied Ojeda’s attempt.
4. Game 3 awaits
This wasn’t the way NYCFC wanted it to go.
After winning Game 1 in Charlotte and dropping Game 2 in the Bronx, New York City will head back to Bank of America Stadium for Game 3 on Friday night.
Winning in North Carolina on Tuesday was an impressive feat, as Charlotte is one of the best home teams in MLS, but doing it twice — this time with Wilfried Zaha — will not be easy whatsoever. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday, November 7, with the kickoff time still to be announced by MLS and the teams.
Juli again tried to rely on his shallow technic—when the game needs him most—than asserting himself into the team play, in three big attempts—two in the regular time and that one in the PK… all in all. the conference standing means something right? it’s a clash between the 4th and the 5th. most likely it’s always gonna be one goal differential game IMHO.
I can’t help but wonder when Fernandez will grow up. Young players will make mistakes, but the fact that his always seem related to a lack of focus is worrisome. If Jones comes back healthy and in form…he might find he has played himself right out of a roster spot.