Venue & Game Details
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET
Competition: MLS Cup Playoffs, Round One (Best-of-3 series)
Broadcast: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
Weather Forecast
Conditions: Clear skies, cool evening
Temperature: ~58°F at kickoff
Wind: 5–8 mph from the northeast
Impact: Ideal conditions for both passing and possession-based play.
Injury Report
Charlotte FC:
Out: None major reported
Questionable: WR Kerwin Vargas (minor knock, expected to play)
Healthy: GK Kristijan Kahlina, CB Adilson Malanda, MF Ashley Westwood
New York City FC:
Out: None major reported
Questionable: MF Andres Perea (hamstring tightness)
Healthy: GK Matt Freese, FW Alonso Martinez, MF Maxi Moralez
Key Player Matchups
Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte GK) vs. Alonso Martinez (NYCFC FW): Martinez scored the lone open-play goal of the series so far. Kahlina, MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024, anchors Charlotte’s defense.
Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte LW) vs. Tayvon Gray (NYCFC RB): Zaha’s pace and creativity (10 goals, 10 assists in 2025) will test NYCFC’s defensive line.
Ashley Westwood (Charlotte MF) vs. Maxi Moralez (NYCFC MF): Westwood’s composure against Moralez’s playmaking (11 assists in 2025) is a midfield battle to watch.
Recent Team Form
Charlotte FC: Strong home record, averaging 1.8 goals per game. Top scorers: Idan Toklomati (5), Zaha (3).
NYCFC: Mixed form, averaging 2.0 goals per game but conceding 2.1. Alonso Martinez leads with 4 goals in last 10.
Series History
2025 Playoffs: Series tied 1-1 (NYCFC 1-0 win; Charlotte 0-0 AET, 7-6 PK win)
All-Time H2H: Charlotte 5 wins, NYCFC 3 wins, 2 draws in 10 meetings
Betting Trends:
Charlotte has won 4 of last 5 home matches vs. NYCFC.
NYCFC has won 4 of last 5 away matches overall.
Both playoff games in this series have gone Under 2.5 goals.
Projected Score: Charlotte FC 1, NYCFC 0
MATCH ODDS
Charlotte FC + 145 Draw + 215 New York City FC + 180
Over 2.5 – 115 Under 2.5 – 110
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, November 6, 2025
