New York City vs Charlotte Player Ratings

New York City FC player ratings are determined by you, the Hudson River Blue readers: Here are your NYCFC player ratings after the team overcame Charlotte FC 3-1 in Round One of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs to advance to the Conference Semifinals.

NYCFC's biggest win of the year earned the highest ratings of the year, with the Starting XI averaging a stellar 7.9 — that beats out the 7.6 average rating you awarded after the 1-0 road win over FC Cincinnati in August. Five starters earned season highs: Tayvon Gray, Justin Haak, Andrés Perea, and Thiago Martins all earned 8s, while Nico Fernández Mercau's 9.5 the best rating handed out to any player this year. Nico is also the runaway winner of this game's Player of the Match, taking 70% of the vote.

These numbers reflect not just the scoreline, but NYCFC's grit and determination. Charlotte started this game on the front foot, dominating the run of play through the first 25 minutes — It was hard to watch if you were a New York City fan, and it looked like it was just a matter of time before the hosts found a way to score and prove the oddsmakers right with a win. Still, NYCFC bent but didn't break, absorbing the pressure of a Charlotte that looked ready to break the game open in the first half.

NYCFC pick Charlotte apart on the counter to earn do-or-die Game 3 win

A brace from Nico Fernández Mercau helped New York City FC overcome a serious injury to Andrés Perea as they eliminated Charlotte FC with a 3-1 road victory.

Hudson River BlueAndrew Leigh

New York City 3-1 Charlotte: 5 Thoughts

Nico Ferández Mercau lives up his Designated Player status, Alonso Martínez comes through (again), and the defense smother Charlotte to win this best-of-three series. But a severe injury to Andrés Perea casts a pal on the win.

Hudson River BlueMatthew Mangam

Statistically, this was a game that New York City should have lost. Charlotte finished the game with an xG of 2.61, creating four big chances and outshooting NYCFC 15 to six. But it was New York City who did the impossible by beating Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium for the second time in 10 days, limiting the hosts to just one goal over 270 minutes to become the only lower-seeded team to advance in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Note: FotMob ratings are in parentheses.