NYCFC vs Charlotte FC: How to watch, time, more of first game of 2025 postseason | OneFootball

After 34 games, the regular season is officially over.  Now, New York City FC and the other fortunate teams that made the postseason are competing in the MLS Cup Playoffs.  The Round One Best-of-3 series will see teams play at least two games, home and away, with a third one played at the higher seed if needed.  For the Pigeons, since they finished the regular season in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, they are playing Charlotte FC in the first round, who finished in fourth.

As many know, the Crown has been a thorn in NYCFC’s side since they joined Major League Soccer.  The Bronx side has a 2-5-1 record in eight matches and has never won at Bank of America Stadium.  The history makes the upcoming games slightly concerning.  However, at least the Boys in Blue have the fact that they won the last meeting.

It is vital that NYCFC figures out how to win in North Carolina.  Even if they win the home matchup, they need to win one of the road games.  To do that, they need to score.  Sure, they scored twice in the last fixture between the teams thanks to Alonso Martínez’s two penalty kicks.  But since then, they have scored only once in three games against playoff teams.

In addition, it would be great for the Pigeons even to force a draw on the road.  In the first round, if the 90 minutes end in a draw, then the match goes straight to a penalty shootout.  Matt Freese, who has been a hero in the past against penalty kicks, especially for the USMNT, gives NYCFC that edge and confidence if any of the matches were to end in a penalty shootout.  After all, they made the Conference Semifinals via that route in 2024.

Date

Tuesday, October 28

Time

6:45 PM ET, with an expected start at 6:55 PM ET

How to watch on TV and streaming

The MLS Season Pass via Apple TV for streaming and FS1 on TV

How to watch in person

Supporters would have to travel to Charlotte

How to listen

newyorkcityfc.com/radio or via the NYCFC app

How to follow

If NYCFC supporters cannot watch or listen to the game, then they can follow along via MLS Soccer’s timeline and NYCFC’s X account.  Additionally, the club will post updates here and there on Facebook.

Final Notes