An incredible solo goal from Alonso Martínez was enough to give New York City FC the 1-0 win in Round One of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, as the Pigeons arrived in the Queen City as the underdog and walked out leading Charlotte FC in this best-of-three series.
Going into Tuesday night, Charlotte had just two losses at Bank of America Stadium in all of 2025, boasting the best home record in the Eastern Conference with 13 wins. The last league loss came all the way back on May 17th, when Chicago Fire won 4-1.
This gave the Pigeons a daunting challenge in Game 1 as they played in front of an announced crowd of 33,709. But New York City Head Coach Pascal Jansen and his staff got it right once again, with the Dutchman's tactical tweaks giving his team the first away victory for any MLS team so far this postseason, and a chance to win the series in The Bronx on Saturday.
New York City: 1.47 xG, 12 shots, 5 shots on target, 50% possession, 368 passes, 84% pass accuracy, 8 fouls, 7 corners, 4 saves
Charlotte: 0.43 xG, 10 shots, 4 shots on target, 50% possession, 462 passes, 85.3% pass accuracy, 7 fouls, 8 corners, 4 saves
Goals:
• New York City, Alonso Martínez, 34'
Attendance: 33,709
Hudson River Blue Staff
Hudson River Blue Staff
Martínez the hero once again
The key to New York City's success in the MLS Cup Playoffs is Martínez, the Pigeon's talisman.
With 17 goals during the regular season, Martínez was New York City's most threatening attacker in 2025, leading the squad in goal contributions. Even when he doesn't score, the Costa Rican's dangerous runs create space for the rest of the team's attackers. It's fair to say that Martínez finding the back of the net is critical to Jansen's game plan.
