NYCFC vs Charlotte FC preview: Game 1 of Round One Best-of-3 series | OneFootball

New York City FC will start the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs with the Round One Best-of-3 series. They will play Charlotte FC, and they are coming into the postseason with a mixed run of form. The month of October has not been kind to the Pigeons, and they ended the regular season with a Decision Day loss against Seattle Sounders FC, falling 2-1.

Previously, NYCFC lost 1-0 to the Philadelphia Union, beat the New York Red Bulls 3-2, and suffered a terrible loss to Inter Miami CF, with a score of 4-0. The club will be looking to put those bad results behind them as they prepare for Charlotte, while hopefully capturing the Hudson River Derby magic.

The Pigeons need to start quickly and win the first match of the opening series to ensure it is not too difficult for themselves the rest of the way. There will be a natural boost for NYCFC, not only because of the heightened occasion, but also because they won this fixture a month ago over Charlotte. In that match, the Bronx side battered them on shots and shots on target, showcasing how they can unlock their firepower in the right conditions.

If the Pigeons can recreate that result, then they will be well on their way to building confidence for the hopeful next round against the top-seeded Philadelphia Union. Coincidentally, the Union lost their last match of the season to Charlotte FC with that familiar 2-0 scoreline. All of these recent results make for an enticing first and possible second round for NYCFC, but Charlotte FC is the first stop. So, here is a preview of the playoff match between NYCFC and Charlotte FC.

NYCFC vs Charlotte FC preview

Date

NYCFC and Charlotte FC will face off on Tuesday, October 28.

Time

The fixture will begin at 6:45 PM ET.

Location

The match will take place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

How to watch

Fans can watch the game on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV and on FS1.

Weather

It will be a cold Autumn night in Charlotte with a high of 50 degrees and an overcast sky with a 24% potential for rain.

Injury report

Malachi Jones (leg) and Keaton Parks (leg) remain out for the Boys in Blue. Then, Máximo Carrizo will be away on international duty.

Players to watch

Striker Alonso Martínez is the player to watch in the match for NYCFC. The team’s top scorer put two penalties past Charlotte in September’s fixture, and he will be crucial for getting a result on Tuesday. The forward has 17 goals in MLS, and despite an injury suffered late in the season, he’ll be ready for the game.

The one who will be giving him and the rest of the team the most trouble from the North Carolina side is Idan Toklomati. The forward will be even more vital as the club’s biggest name, Wilfried Zaha, is suspended for the first match.

Given the score the last time the teams met, this is a game where NYCFC can win with ease, depending on certain moments in the match.  The prediction is a 3-1 victory for the Pigeons. Despite the final dip in form, they will be ready for a playoff match against a team they’ve beaten before. If they can get off to a good start, they can take the sting out of the first match and the tie as a whole.