New York City FC were on the right side of history Saturday afternoon. With Charlotte FC searching for a record tenth consecutive win in Major League Soccer, the Pigeons stopped them in their tracks, capping off Kids' Day with a 2-0 victory in the Bronx.
It was a penalty showcase, with the referee handing out spot kicks like they were going out of style. Alonso Martínez reached a new career high for goals in a single season across all competitions, converting his 18th and 19th goals of 2025 from the penalty spot. Matt Freese stood his ground between the posts, saving a Wilfried Zaha penalty second half on his way to earning another clean sheet.
Another three points added sees New York City continue to climb up the Eastern Conference standings, officially jumping into the Top 4 and into home-field advantage, still with a game in hand. Here are 4 Thoughts on NYCFC's latest win.
1. Death, taxes, Alonso scoring goals
He's inevitable at this point. For the third time in four games for club and country, Alonso Martínez found the back of the net. Converting a brace of penalties, first in the 10th minute, and then again in the 58th minute, the Costa Rican talisman has 17 goals in MLS play this season and 19 goals in all competitions.
Alonso Martínez opens the scoring from the penalty spot. Cred: New York City FC
Martínez has officially eclipsed his goal tally of 18 from the 2024 season. His second multi-goal game of the season means El Cliníco remains in the MLS Golden Boot race, trailing league leader Sam Surridge (21) of Nashville by four, with four games left in the regular season. It's an outside shot, but it's still possible.
2. Freese wins battle of league's best keepers
NYC and Charlotte have been battling it out for positioning in the Eastern Conference table, and that has been thanks, in part, to both clubs employing arguably a top five goalkeeper in MLS. The winner of last year's MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award, Kristijan Kahlina, battled it out with Freese in the sunny Bronx, but it was NYC's USMNT international who had the last laugh.
Matt Freese dives the right way, keeping out Wilfred Zaha from the spot. Cred: New York City FC
On top of saving a 68th-minute penalty from forward Wilfried Zaha, Freese commanded his area, making two saves on the day to earn his eighth clean sheet of the season. Just days after signing a new contract extension, tying Freese to the club through the 2030 season, the American put forth a signature Freese performance. He did write his Harvard thesis on saving penalties, after all.
3. Referee at the center of it all
With Charlotte coming into Saturday looking to set a new MLS record for consecutive wins, the expectation was that it wasn't going be any easy afternoon for the Pigeons. To Charlotte's credit, the visitors brought the physicality, but not much else.
Referee Timothy Ford brandished three yellow cards, all for Charlotte players, inside the opening 20 minutes, including the penalty call against keeper Kristijan Kahlina. Before the day was over, he would brandish five more yellows, and two more penalties, in what was a physical contest from kickoff to the final whistle.
Overall, the referee blew for 27 fouls between both sides, with NYC responsible for 17 of them. The visitors ultimately proved to be more rash with their challenges, with Charlotte receiving four yellow cards for just nine fouls on the day.
Opinions may vary on the severity of the fouls resulting in the penalties, but NYC won't care, as the Pigeons refused to let the officiating take center stage on what was a beautiful afternoon inside Yankee Soccer Stadium.
4. Playoffs officially secured
All New York City needed Saturday to confirm their spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs was three points vs Charlotte, or a draw or loss for the rival New York Red Bulls later tonight. Thankfully for the Pigeons, the wait is over, and the playoff party can begin without worrying about the Red Bulls do in Montréal.
With the win, NYC moves into the top 4 of the Eastern Conference standings on 53 points, level on points and goal difference with Charlotte in 3rd. Finishing the regular season in the top 4 would guarantee the Pigeons two possible home games in the best-of-three Round One of the playoffs, while also bypassing the dreaded Wild Card round.
Hudson River Blue Staff
With 53 points, NYC head coach Pascal Jansen has his first season in the history book as one of the best in club history. With four games left, Jansen has amassed the sixth most points in a single season in club history, and the most since 2022 (55).
Though only two home matches remain on the schedule, Inter Miami next Wednesday and Seattle Sounders on October 18th, even just one win to close out the year would be tied for the third most successful season, points wise, in club history (56pts - 2018).
Not a bad way to open your tenure as the New York City FC boss.
Hudson River Blue Staff
