BRONX, NY — One team had to win and another had to lose Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. For 90+ minutes, NYCFC and Charlotte FC failed to get a goal that proceeded to MLS postseason rules structured with overtime.
The penalty shootout ensued, perhaps not the proper way to determine a decisive winner. There have been proponents to alter the MLS overtime format and a call to play another 90 minutes or less on the pitch. They call that sudden death overtime in other sports.
Game 2 of Round 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs between NYCFC and Charlotte FC went right down to the wire Saturday afternoon in a penalty shootout – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
But not in MLS with sudden death. This shootout that went to Charlotte extended their season and evened the best of three Eastern Conference opening round at a game apiece.
A win Friday evening in Charlotte and NYCFC advances to the Eastern Conference one-game semifinals for the eighth time in franchise history. Regardless, coach Pascal Jansen and NYCFC looked to advance at home in the Bronx. Yankee Stadium has played to their advantage and this could have been the last home game of the season regardless if they advance based on their finish in the Eastern Conference standings.
If NYCFC were to win Game 3 this coming Friday, they would face the Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference semifinals – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
And if NYCFC wins this series, they will advance to the conference semifinals next week and meet top seeded Philadelphia in the city of Brotherly Love.
“It’s a pity, we were focusing on getting the job done within two games,” Jansen said. “We had the opportunities, even though we didn’t play as well as I was hoping for. We had two or three big moments to go in front, and when it comes down to penalties, that can go either way.”
And it did not go their way. Forwards Julián Fernández and Agustín Ojeda missed their penalty shots, and Jansen cited others in the 7-6 shootout who had good opportunities. Goalkeeper Matt Freese had his third career clean sheet in the playoffs and second shutout in a row against Charlotte, the other coming Tuesday evening at Bank of America Stadium.
Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina saved the club’s season Saturday afternoon by locking down the net in a penalty shootout – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
“It is what it is, we’ve proven throughout the season that we’ve become stronger in our away games,” Jansen said. “I mentioned the first hour in Charlotte in and out of possession and the final 30 minutes defensively. We did a good job. Charlotte is a tough team to beat at home, but we did it in a convincing way.”
He said the goal was to finish this opening round series in two games and Charlotte has to make his team work for Game 3, though lack of confidence is not an issue. So there is a little bit of that low after losing in a shootout, significant because it’s not the regular season where you come back and continue.
This is for the Audi MLS Cup, NYCFC is seeking their second in franchise history after winning their first in 2021 when they defeated the Portland Timbers in a penalty shootout. Then the coach and faces were different but they overcame the odds.
NYCFC fans were on their feet for all 90+ minutes at Yankee Stadium Saturday afternoon for Game 2 of the First Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
This 2025 team, they have the right chemistry. They are not scoring an influx of goals, but appear to have the proper elements to defy the odds again. And to extend their season and playoff run, they have to do it on the road where they have been successful this season.
“We don’t have time to dwell on it,” said disappointed defender Justin Haak. “We’ll look back on this game, see what we can do better, what we didn’t do as well as in the first game, and focus on getting a good result in Game 3.”
Yes, NYCFC defended well but their scoring opportunities were stalled. A devised corner-kick allowed Aiden O’Neill to attempt a volley from the edge of the area. Maxi Moralez went close from a tight angle though his shot crashed wide of the target. And the midfielder also had an opportunity in the 40th minute with a corner kick that found Raúl Gustavo, with Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina diving low to his left to claim the ball.
“It’s frustrating, we had a big opportunity in front of us today and we didn’t capitalize,” said defender Kevin O’Toole. “I thought we defended quite well and created some chances, but it just didn’t fall our way today. This one will hurt tonight, and we just have to refocus tomorrow and make sure we’re ready to go for Game 3.”
Charlotte FC will host NYCFC this Friday night in a winner take all Game 3 at Bank of America Stadium – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
As it is, there is that decisive game approaching with no secret that NYCFC will need to score their share of goals to advance. Charlotte is a team that came to the Bronx determined and from the opening kick Saturday sent their message it was their time to return home and advance.
It is the MLS playoffs for that coveted cup, though one important agenda for NYCFC is to avoid that penalty shootout that could determine if they go home in their quest for another championship.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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