Charlotte Fc vs New York City Fc Picks and Predictions October 28th 2025

Charlotte FC vs New York City FC MLS Cup Playoffs Game 1 Preview

The Charlotte FC and New York City FC open their Eastern Conference Round 1 series on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM ET.

Charlotte FC enter the postseason looking for their first-ever regulation playoff win after reaching Round 2 last year via penalties. This time, they’ll face an experienced NYCFC side that has qualified for the postseason in nine of its 11 MLS seasons.

Line Movement and Odds

Charlotte open as slight home favorites behind a strong 2025 campaign that saw them finish fourth in the East. New York City FC are listed as narrow underdogs, with early moneyline action favoring the home side.

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Charlotte FC Outlook

Charlotte closed the regular season on a high note, defeating top-seeded Philadelphia 2-0, but enter this matchup without Wilfried Zaha (suspension) and Pep Biel (season-ending knee injury). Despite the setbacks, the Crown remain confident thanks to a solid defensive foundation and home-field advantage.

Defender Nathan Byrne emphasized the team’s growing experience and composure in big moments. The addition of Premier League veterans like Harry Toffolo and Zaha has elevated the team’s maturity and leadership on the field.

Head coach Dean Smith will likely rely on Karol Swiderski and Enzo Copetti to shoulder the attacking load, while midfielder Scott Arfield remains crucial in controlling tempo. Charlotte’s defensive line, anchored by Adilson Malanda, will need to stay organized against NYCFC’s fast-paced front three.

New York City FC Outlook

NYCFC enter their ninth postseason in 11 years with one of the most balanced squads in MLS. Alonso Martínez leads the team with 17 goals, supported by Hannes Wolf’s 11 and Nicolás Fernández, who has scored twice in his last three matches.

Under first-year manager Pascal Jansen, NYCFC have found consistency, winning six of their last eight matches before dropping their final two to Philadelphia and Seattle. Their road form has been strong throughout the season, and the team’s high pressing style could trouble a Charlotte side missing two key attackers.

Expect Jansen to deploy an aggressive 4-3-3 formation, with Santiago Rodríguez orchestrating play through the middle and fullbacks pushing forward to create width.

Key Matchup / Path to Victory

Charlotte must find new attacking solutions without Zaha and Biel. The combination of Swiderski and Copetti could be decisive, especially if they can draw NYCFC’s center backs out of position. Defensive concentration on set pieces will also be key, as New York often capitalize on second-ball opportunities.

For NYCFC, maintaining possession and exploiting Charlotte’s weakened attack could tilt the game in their favor. Quick transitions led by Martínez and Fernández may expose Charlotte’s back line if they commit too many players forward.

Best Bets and Prediction

Charlotte’s home record and playoff experience make them slight favorites, but NYCFC’s offensive depth and recent form on the road give them a strong chance to steal Game 1. Expect a tactical, low-scoring affair where one mistake could decide the result.

Projected Score: NYCFC 2, Charlotte FC 1
Best Bet: New York City FC Moneyline (+130)
Secondary Lean: Under 2.5 Goals

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Handicappers and Service Plays

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