Charlotte FC bows out of MLS playoffs in home loss to New York City FC
The 34,473 fans at Bank of America Stadium erupted in the 10th minute when Wilfried Zaha fired a shot from the center of the box. Thiago Martins blocked it, but the crowd didn’t care. The energy missing from Game 1 had returned.
But it wasn’t enough.
Charlotte FC outshot New York City FC by eight on Friday night, but managed just one shot on target. NYCFC, meanwhile, put seven on frame and converted three into goals, eliminating Charlotte, 3-1, and advancing to face Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“We’ve had 15 shots, one on target, which is not good enough,” midfielder Ashley Westwood said. “Over the three games, score one goal, you’re not going to go through.”
Wasted opportunities define first half
Charlotte dominated the opening 25 minutes, outshooting NYC 6-0 by the midway point. Four shots were blocked. None found the target. Kerwin Vargas, limited through the first two games, made a sliding defensive play to stop Kevin O’Toole’s shot, showing his two-way capability.
The clearest chance came in the 36th minute. Idan Toklomati found Brandt Bronico in space near the goal with only Matt Freese to beat. Bronico’s shot sailed over the right corner post, wasting a 34% expected goal opportunity.
“We missed a big chance and that changed the game,” Westwood said.
Charlotte’s energy waned as the half wore on. Three minutes into stoppage time, Nicolás Fernández Mercau capitalized on the tired legs. He carried the ball nearly the full length of the field, beat Nathan Byrne’s tackle attempt and fired past Kristijan Kahlina.
Charlotte outshot NYC 7-3 in the half, but trailed 1-0. The visitors controlled 60.87% of possession.
Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back
The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte. Instead of launching a corner toward goal, Westwood played it short to Zaha, who returned it. After another exchange, Zaha’s attempt was deflected into open space where Alonso Martínez waited. The striker beat Byrne and Kahlina in a footrace, sliding the ball into the bottom right corner.
Two goals down with 30 minutes left, Charlotte pushed forward with desperation but lacked precision. Head coach Dean Smith inserted Archie Goodwin for Bronico in the 61st minute, the same substitution pattern from Game 2.
NYC lost midfielder Andrés Perea to what appeared to be a serious ankle injury in the 71st minute. He was carted off, potentially dealing a blow to their Eastern Conference semifinal hopes.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte offense faced a grim reality: four consecutive shutouts against NYC dating to a 2-0 loss on Sept. 20. Charlotte hadn’t been shut out by anyone else since April 26 against New England.
Brief hope, then heartbreak
Kahlina made a signature diving save in the 76th minute to keep it 2-0, stopping a deflection off his own teammate.
Five minutes later, Charlotte finally broke through. Harry Toffolo’s pass found Goodwin, who touched it to Toklomati. The Israeli forward beat Freese despite the goalkeeper getting a hand on it.
After it was confirmed no offside, Bank of America Stadium erupted. “CHAR-LET F-C” chants filled the air in the 85th minute.
Fourth official Alexis Da Silva awarded 12 minutes of stoppage time. Charlotte earned two corner kicks but couldn’t convert either.
In the 103rd minute, Fernández ended it. He received a pass from Hannes Wolf and looped a shot past Kahlina. Fans headed for the exits.
“We never give up,” Westwood said. “We knew, listen, we got one, and it felt like it was coming. It felt like, right, we’re going to get another way. But it didn’t quite happen.”
Execution gap proves decisive
The numbers told the story. Charlotte’s 16 shots to NYC’s eight meant nothing when only one found the target compared to seven for the visitors.
“Sometimes sport can be cruel and we didn’t get the result that we deserved tonight,” Smith said. “We didn’t take our chances, but the intent to [do] what was after was there.”
Smith praised his team’s performance despite the result. “They haven’t let anybody down tonight. The fans turned up, we turned up, much better performance, better team on the night.”
Goodwin, signed late in the season from Australia, showed flashes in his brief playoff action. “Everyone’s been so welcoming,” he said. “This last part of the season has been very exciting. I’m just so excited to come back for the next season.”
The loss came on the heels of losing defender Adilson Malanda to Middlesbrough. Westwood praised the departing center back, who received an ovation in the locker room postgame.
“He’s been incredible,” Westwood said. “He’s destined for the top. We all know how good he is. Middlesbrough have got a top, top defender. If Middlesbrough don’t go up in another few years, Adilson will be playing the Premier League.”
Season ends short of expectations
Charlotte set club records during the regular season with 13 home wins and finished fourth in the Eastern Conference. Smith emphasized the progression from last year’s playoff run.
“We’ve had progression again,” Smith said. “We’ve got more points. We’ve got a record now of a winning run in the league. Most home wins we’ve had. So we’ve made progression as a team, as a club.”
But Westwood’s expectations extended beyond fourth place. “It’s been a great season. We finished in the top four. We’ve come a little bit short, but again, this club’s moving in the right direction.”
He added: “I said it last year we were [going to be] in the top four. I say it this year we’re going to the top.”
Smith noted that Pep Biel’s absence hurt Charlotte’s attacking options. “I think it would have been lovely to have Pep around us in this playoff series. But it wasn’t to be.”
The head coach also looked forward to a full preseason with Goodwin. “It’s always difficult when players come in during the season. You don’t get that time to spend with them what you get in preseason. So I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
For Charlotte, the offseason begins with questions about converting chances in crucial moments. They created opportunities but couldn’t finish. NYC did.
“If you cross balls into the goalkeeper’s hands and these things, the quality wasn’t there,” Westwood said. “But we’ve been there all year, we just fell a little bit short tonight.”