The home team has not lost any of the five meetings between the New York Red Bulls and Charlotte FC in all competitions, though both matches in 2023 ended in draws. Elias Manuel has score three of his five career MLS goals against Charlotte FC.
The New York Red Bulls have made the playoffs in 14 straight seasons, extending the longest streak in MLS history and the longest active streak in North American professional sports. The New York Red Bulls have been eliminated in their first match in the last four postseasons, however, losing all four matches by a one-goal margin.
Charlotte FC is the sixth team to make the MLS postseason debut since 2020. Four of the previous five teams playing their first playoff match advanced, with the only team failing to do so in that time was Inter Miami FC, losing to fellow debutants Nashville SC in 2020.
The New York Bulls have faced 244 shots this season, (7.2 per match), 57 fewer than any other team has faced in a 34-match MLS season (Sporting Kansas City – 301 in 2013). The New York Red Bulls have held opponents to fewer than 10 shots in 28 of its 34 matches this season. No other team did so more than 15 times this year.
Charlotte FC has won three of its final four matches in the regular season to reach the playoffs after winning just one of its previous 15 league matches. Charlotte FC kept three clean sheets in those four games after keeping two clean sheets in its previous 15 league games.
