MLS Playoffs Matchup Preview: Charlotte FC vs New York City FC

Charlotte FC vs NYCFC

The Basics

After finishing in fourth place in the MLS Eastern Conference, Charlotte FC will take on fifth placed-side New York City FC in the first round of the 2025 MLS Audi Cup Playoffs. To preface, for those who don’t remember, the first round of the MLS playoffs is a best-of-three format. Charlotte, finishing higher in the league table, will have home-field advantage; this implies that they will host the first game and the third game if it is necessary. The games will take place on 10/28, 11/01, and 11/07 if necessary.

Ourselves, Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC enters the playoffs after their strongest regular season campaign in franchise history. The team displayed a resilient backline and a more potent attack in 2025. Superstars such as Pep Biel and Wilfried Zaha have allowed the team to thrive. This season, Charlotte FC scored 55 goals while allowing 46 more. Last season, Charlotte FC scored 46 and allowed 37. This squad appears to be more experienced and complete, however. Our backline and goalkeeper have now grown increasingly comfortable playing with one another, which should give fans confidence heading into the playoffs. The same goes for our front line and attacking players throughout the season.

It is important to note, however, that we will be missing Pep Biel for the entirety of the playoffs and Wilfried Zaha for our first game versus NYCFC. While Biel is pivotal for our squad and chance creation, the team stepped up to the task when he missed time this past summer. I do have some worries, however, about how the attack will fare without the presence of Wilfried Zaha. WIth that being said, Idan Toklomati has developed incredibly well this season, and he should be viewed as a serious weapon heading into the playoffs. Charlotte FC has arguably the strongest squad in its young history, and the team is clearly comfortable playing with one another. If we remain disciplined and keep creating chances, there is no limit on how far this squad can go. 

The Opposition, New York City FC

New York City FC is quite a similar team to Charlotte FC this season. The fifth placed team in the Eastern Conference has scored 50 goals and allowed 44, posing a challenging matchup for our Charlotte FC. The two squads traded results this season. In Charlotte this season, we took home a 2-0 victory over NYCFC. However, in NY this season–just a few weeks ago–we left with a 2-0 defeat. 

NYCFC’s offensive output is star-dependent. The squad has two players–Alonso Martinez and Hannes Wolf–with double-digit goals, and the next highest goal-scorer after these two has only 3. 38-year-old Maxi Morales leads the team in assists with 11, with Hannes Wolf, Julian Fernandes, and Agustin Ojeda not far behind. While NYCFC clearly has a handful of players who can create chances, it becomes evident that Charlotte FC will need to devote plenty of energy to shutting down the team’s superstars. 

The Key

Home-field advantage is one of the most pivotal factors in this matchup, with both teams playing especially well on their home-turfs. Charlotte FC has earned 13 wins at home this season, the most of any squad in the MLS. Charlotte FC will have to start fast and pick up a win in the first game of this playoff matchup; if they can do so, I feel confident that they will then find a way to win either game two or game three. The team has the chance to advance to the conference semi-finals for the first time in club history. We’ve got the manager, the players, and the fans to get the job done. Now let’s go get it done.