Boys in Blue Make History with First Road Playoff Win of 2025 MLS Postseason
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a tense, physical playoff battle at Bank of America Stadium, Alonso Martínez broke through Charlotte FC’s defensive wall in the 34th minute, delivering the decisive goal that lifted New York City FC to a historic 1-0 victory in Game 1 of their MLS Cup Playoffs Best-of-3 series Tuesday night.
The win marked a watershed moment for the 2025 MLS postseason: NYCFC became the first road team to win in the playoffs after the first eight visiting squads had been turned away empty-handed. Now, the Boys in Blue return to Yankee Stadium with a 1-0 series lead and a chance to close out Charlotte on home turf Saturday night.
The Moment That Mattered
For three matches, Martínez had been held scoreless—a drought that felt like an eternity for a striker who terrorized MLS defenses all season with 17 regular-season goals. But in the 34th minute, the Costa Rican international reminded everyone why he’s one of the league’s most clinical finishers.
“Alonso showed his class when it mattered most. That’s what elite strikers do—they find a way when the pressure is highest.”— NYCFC Midfielder Andrés Perea
The sequence began with Andrés Perea winning a midfield duel and delivering a perfectly weighted headed pass into Martínez’s path. The NYCFC striker collected the ball just outside the 18-yard box, took two touches to settle, then sliced through Charlotte’s backline with surgical precision, firing a low, composed shot under diving goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
1-0 NYCFC. The 33,709 fans at Bank of America Stadium fell silent. The drought was over. The road curse was broken.
Matt Freese: The Wall Charlotte Couldn’t Break
If Martínez was the hero in attack, Matt Freese was the fortress in goal. The NYCFC shot-stopper, who recorded eight clean sheets during the regular season, added a ninth shutout in the most critical game of the year, making four crucial saves to preserve the slim advantage.
Charlotte threw everything at Freese in the second half. In the 51st minute, Kerwin Vargas broke free in the box, but Freese dove low to his left to smother the shot. Then in the 57th minute, Ashley Westwood unleashed a curling effort from distance—Freese tipped it wide. In the 88th minute, with Charlotte pressing desperately for an equalizer, Westwood rose for a header in the box. Freese leapt and clawed the ball out of the top corner in a save that drew gasps from both benches.
“Matt was immense tonight. He kept us in it when Charlotte turned up the pressure. That’s playoff goalkeeping.”— NYCFC Head Coach Pascal Jansen
A Tactical Chess Match
Both sides deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, and for much of the first half, the match was a tactical stalemate. Possession was nearly even (50.4% Charlotte, 49.6% NYCFC), and neither team could establish sustained control in the final third.
Charlotte, playing without suspended star forward Wilfried Zaha (red card suspension), struggled to generate quality chances. Head Coach Dean Smith turned to Liel Abada, Kerwin Vargas, and Idan Toklomati to fill the creative void, but NYCFC’s disciplined defensive shape—anchored by Justin Haak, Thiago Martins, and Raúl Gustavo—limited Charlotte to just 4 shots on target from 10 total attempts.
NYCFC, meanwhile, was more efficient: 5 shots on target from 12 attempts. The Boys in Blue controlled the tempo through captain Maxi Moralez, who orchestrated play from the No. 10 role, and Aiden O’Neill, who won crucial midfield battles and distributed with precision.
“We knew without Zaha, Charlotte would struggle to break us down. Our game plan was to stay compact, frustrate them, and hit them on the counter. We executed perfectly.”— NYCFC Defender Justin Haak
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Second-Half Surge: Charlotte’s Desperate Push
Charlotte came out firing in the second half, dominating possession and pinning NYCFC deep in their own half. The home side won 8 corner kicks to NYCFC’s 7, and repeatedly tested Freese with crosses, headers, and long-range efforts.
In the 65th minute, Smith made a tactical substitution, bringing on Tyger Smalls for Liel Abada to inject fresh legs and pace down the wing. In the 78th minute, Archie Goodwin replaced Brandt Bronico as Charlotte pushed for an equalizer.
But NYCFC’s defense held firm. Kevin O’Toole and Tayvon Gray were rocks at fullback, blocking crosses and winning duels. Raúl Gustavo (who picked up a yellow card in the 68th minute for a tactical foul on Vargas) and Justin Haak(booked in the 71st minute for handball) threw their bodies on the line to preserve the clean sheet.
In the 90th minute, Kevin O’Toole was shown a yellow card for time-wasting—a tactical foul that NYCFC was more than happy to take. In the 90+2nd minute, Head Coach Nick Cushing made two late substitutions, bringing on Seymour Reid for Martínez and Julián Fernández for Nicolás Fernández to run down the clock.
The Final Whistle: History Made
When referee Jon Freemon blew the final whistle after 90+7 minutes, NYCFC’s players collapsed in celebration. They had done what no other road team could do in the 2025 MLS playoffs: win away from home.
“This is a massive result for us. We came into a hostile environment, stayed disciplined, and got the job done. But we’re not satisfied. We want to finish this at home on Saturday.”— NYCFC Captain Maxi Moralez
Charlotte, meanwhile, was left to rue missed chances. Archie Goodwin’s 90+7th-minute shot sailed just wide. Adilson Malanda’s header in the 90+5th minute was blocked. The home side had 33,709 fans behind them, but couldn’t find the breakthrough.
“We gave everything, but it wasn’t enough. Credit to New York—they defended well and took their chance. Now we have to go to Yankee Stadium and get a result. This series isn’t over.”— Charlotte FC Head Coach Dean Smith
What’s Next: Game 2 at Yankee Stadium
The series now shifts to Yankee Stadium in The Bronx for Game 2 on Saturday night. NYCFC will look to close out the series in front of their home fans and advance to the next round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Charlotte, facing elimination, will need to win on the road to force a decisive Game 3 back in North Carolina.
Game 2 Details:
- Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
- Location: Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York
- Kickoff: TBD
- TV: FS1, FOX Deportes, MLS Season Pass (Apple TV+)
- Series: NYCFC leads 1-0 (Best-of-3)
By the Numbers: Game 1 Stats
| Stat | Charlotte FC | New York City FC |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 0 | 1 |
| Possession | 50.4% | 49.6% |
| Shots | 10 | 12 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 5 |
| Saves | 4 | 4 |
| Corner Kicks | 8 | 7 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 5 |
| Attendance | 33,709 | — |
Game Notes
- Alonso Martínez ended a three-match scoreless drought with his 18th goal of the season (including playoffs).
- Matt Freese recorded his 9th clean sheet of the season (8 regular season, 1 playoff).
- NYCFC became the first road team to win in the 2025 MLS playoffs after eight consecutive home victories to open the postseason.
- Wilfried Zaha was suspended for Charlotte due to a red card in their previous match.
- NYCFC received 5 yellow cards: Aiden O’Neill (36′), Tayvon Gray (56′), Raúl Gustavo (68′), Justin Haak (71′), Kevin O’Toole (90′).
- Charlotte FC had 0 yellow cards in a surprisingly clean performance from the home side.
- Attendance: 33,709 at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Referee: Jon Freemon.
Player Spotlight: Alonso Martínez
Position: ForwardGoal: 34′ (Assisted by Andrés Perea)
Performance: Clinical finish, intelligent movement, held up play under pressure, substituted in 90+2′ for Seymour Reid.
Martínez’s goal was a masterclass in a striker’s instinct. After a three-match scoreless run, the Costa Rican international showed composure beyond his years, taking two touches to settle Perea’s headed pass, then calmly slotting under Kahlina. It was his 18th goal of the season (17 regular season, 1 playoff) and the most important of his NYCFC career.
Player Spotlight: Matt Freese
Position: GoalkeeperSaves: 4 (51′, 57′, 88′, 17′)
Clean Sheet: 9th of the season (8 regular season, 1 playoff)
Performance: Commanding in the box, excellent positioning, crucial saves in the second half.
Freese was the difference-maker in the second half. His 88th-minute save on Westwood’s header was the save of the match—a full-stretch dive to tip the ball over the bar. Without Freese, NYCFC doesn’t leave Charlotte with three points.
Tactical Breakdown: How NYCFC Won
Defensive Discipline
NYCFC’s 4-2-3-1 formation was compact and organized. The double pivot of Aiden O’Neill and Andrés Perea screened the backline, while Maxi Moralez dropped deep to help in transition. Charlotte struggled to find space in the final third, managing just 4 shots on target from 10 attempts.
Counter-Attacking Threat
NYCFC’s goal came from a perfectly executed counter-attack. Perea won the ball in midfield, played a headed pass into Martínez’s path, and the striker did the rest. NYCFC’s speed in transition—led by Nicolás Fernández and Alonso Martínez—kept Charlotte’s defense honest all night.
Set-Piece Defense
Charlotte won 8 corner kicks but couldn’t capitalize. NYCFC’s zonal marking system, anchored by Thiago Martins and Justin Haak, cleared danger time and again. Freese’s command of his box was also crucial, claiming crosses and organizing his defense.
Game Management
In the final 10 minutes, NYCFC slowed the game down with tactical fouls, time-wasting, and smart substitutions. Kevin O’Toole’s 90th-minute yellow card for time-wasting was a textbook example of playoff gamesmanship.
What Charlotte Must Do in Game 2
Charlotte faces a must-win situation at Yankee Stadium. To force a Game 3, they’ll need:
- Wilfried Zaha’s Return: If Zaha’s suspension is lifted, his creativity and goal-scoring threat will be crucial.
- Improved Finishing: Charlotte had chances but couldn’t convert. Kerwin Vargas, Liel Abada, and Idan Toklomati must be more clinical.
- Pressure NYCFC Early: Charlotte can’t afford to fall behind again. They need to score first and force NYCFC to chase the game.
- Limit NYCFC’s Counter-Attacks: Martínez and Nicolás Fernández are lethal in transition. Charlotte’s fullbacks must stay disciplined.
What NYCFC Must Do to Close Out the Series
NYCFC is one win away from advancing. To close out Charlotte at home, they’ll need:
- Protect Home Turf: Yankee Stadium has been a fortress all season. NYCFC must use the home crowd to its advantage.
- Stay Disciplined: Five yellow cards in Game 1 are a concern. NYCFC can’t afford suspensions or red cards in Game 2.
- Capitalize on Set Pieces: NYCFC had 7 corner kicks in Game 1 but didn’t score from any. Set pieces could be the difference in a tight Game 2.
- Matt Freese’s Brilliance: If Freese replicates his Game 1 performance, NYCFC will be nearly impossible to beat.
Series Outlook: Advantage NYCFC
NYCFC now controls the series. A win at Yankee Stadium on Saturday sends them through to the next round. A Charlotte victory forces a decisive Game 3 in North Carolina.
History favors NYCFC: Home teams have dominated the 2025 MLS playoffs, and NYCFC’s home record this season has been stellar. But Charlotte has proven they can compete, and with Zaha potentially returning, they’ll be dangerous.
Prediction: NYCFC closes out the series at home, but Charlotte will make them earn it.
The Bottom Line
Alonso Martínez’s 34th-minute strike and Matt Freese’s heroics in goal gave NYCFC a historic 1-0 victory in Game 1 of their Best-of-3 series with Charlotte FC. The Boys in Blue became the first road team to win in the 2025 MLS playoffs and now sit one win away from advancing to the next round.
Game 2 at Yankee Stadium on Saturday will determine Charlotte’s fate: win and force a Game 3, or lose and go home. For NYCFC, the mission is clear: protect home turf and punch their ticket to the next round.
NYCFC leads 1-0, and the pressure is squarely on Charlotte.
NEXT UP:📍 Game 2: Saturday, November 1, 2025🏟️ Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York📺 FS1, FOX Deportes, MLS Season Pass (Apple TV+)🎯 NYCFC leads series 1-0
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Boys in Blue Bulletin: What You Need to Know
✅ Historic Win: NYCFC is the first road team to win in the 2025 MLS playoffs.✅ Series Lead: NYCFC leads 1-0 in the Best-of-3 series.✅ Martínez’s Drought Ends: Alonso Martínez scored his first goal in four matches.✅ Freese’s Brilliance: Matt Freese recorded his 9th clean sheet of the season.✅ Game 2: Saturday, November 1, at Yankee Stadium. Win and advance.✅ Charlotte’s Challenge: Must win on the road to force Game 3.
Join the Conversation
What did you think of NYCFC’s Game 1 performance? Can the Boys in Blue close out the series at Yankee Stadium? Will Charlotte force a Game 3?
Drop your predictions in the comments, and follow Bad Dawg Sports for live updates, analysis, and exclusive coverage of Game 2!
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Go NYCFC. One more win. Let’s finish this. ⚽💙
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