After its best regular season since 2019, New York City FC now prepares to face Charlotte FC in Round One of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
NYCFC went one loss, one win against Charlotte this season, first losing 2-0 at Bank of America Stadium on July 12. That started a nine-game winning streak for Charlotte, which coincidentally got snapped by New York City with a 2-0 win at Yankee Stadium on September 20.
Ahead of Game One of the playoff series in Charlotte on Tuesday night, Hudson River Blue spoke with Justin Haak at the New York City FC training facility to preview the matchup.
"We played both games against Charlotte kind of recently, so we're familiar with them," Haak said. "We know they’re super organized defensively, don’t give away a lot. So, it’s really just about staying patient and playing our way."
New York City enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak, falling on the road to the Philadelphia Union and, most recently, to the Seattle Sounders on Decision Day.
"Regardless of the last two results, we know we've been playing well," Haak said. "In the Seattle game, maybe we started a little bit slow, but in Philly, we had big chances in the first half to go up. We've competed with all these top teams in the East, so we’re ready for any challenge, especially right now. Being in the playoffs, there’s no lack of motivation for this game."
Oliver Strand
