A pair of stunning goals scored by Nico Fernández Mercau finally got New York City FC past Charlotte FC, delivering a 3-1 win for NYCFC at Bank of America Stadium in the decisive third match of the best-of-three series.
Fernández Mercau opened the scoring moments before halftime with a ridiculous solo goal that saw the Argentine Designated Player dribble nearly the full length of the pitch before scoring past Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina from a tight angle, a counter that developed when Charlotte pushed seven players up into NYCFC's box while fruitlessly attempting a long throw-in.
All three New York City goals came on the counterattack, with Alonso Martínez making it a two-goal NYCFC advantage early in the second half after being picked out by Maxi Moralez with a long pass forward after Charlotte wasted a corner-kick routine. Martínez picked up his fifth career goal vs Charlotte, with those goals all coming across NYCFC's last four wins over Charlotte dating back to the 2024 regular season.
The Martínez goal in the 50th minute seemed to have New York City comfortably in position to cruise into the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but two things happened to make that more difficult: Andrés Perea suffered a devastating and serious ankle injury in the 73rd minute, and Charlotte scored their first regulation goal of the three-match series in the 81st minute to make it a one-goal game.
After some last-ditch defending by New York City while clinging to a slim lead, Nico Fernández Mercau sealed the win with his second transition goal scored in stoppage time of a half. Hannes Wolf made the goal this time as he maintained possession under duress then played Nico in, and a perfectly composed finished from Fernández Mercau settled the scoreline at 3-1 and sent NYCFC through to the next round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Hudson River Blue Staff
New York City: 1.21 xG, 8 shots, 7 shots on target, 52% possession, 514 passes, 80.2% pass accuracy, 15 fouls, 1 corner, 0 saves
Charlotte: 2.44 xG, 16 shots, 1 shot on target, 48% possession, 465 passes, 79.8% pass accuracy, 16 fouls, 4 corners, 4 saves
Goals:
• New York City, Nico Fernández Mercau, 45'+2'
New York City, Alonso Martínez, 50'
Charlotte, Idan Toklomati, 81'
New York City, Nico Fernández Mercau, 90'+10'
Attendance: 34,473
Nico goes off
For New York City, their new big-money Designated Player made all the difference and saved his best MLS performance since arriving for the team's most important match to date.
