Defending MLS Cup champions New York City will meet expansion Charlotte FC for the first time. Since 2005, expansion sides have defeated reigning champions four times in 24 meetings (D7 L13) (Toronto vs. Houston in 2007, Seattle vs. Columbus in 2009, Orlando vs. LA Galaxy in 2015 & LAFC vs. Toronto in 2018).
New York City FC has lost consecutive matches, losing 3-2 at both Columbus and Miami, after losing just one of its previous 17 MLS matches (W11 D5). NYCFC has not lost three straight regular season matches since losing their first four games of the 2020 season.
Charlotte FC suffered the heaviest defeat of its expansion season on Saturday, losing, 5-0, at Los Angeles FC. Charlotte is the fifth expansion side to lose by a five-plus goal margin, joining Orlando City (2015), Minnesota United (2017), Los Angeles FC (2018) and FC Cincinnati (2019).
Both of New York City’s defeats in its last two matches came after scoring the opening goal. NYCFC’s six points dropped from winning positions over its last two games are more than it lost after going ahead in its first 22 MLS matches (4).
Charlotte FC has lost 10 of its first 13 away matches in MLS (W1 D2), including being outscored, 9-0, in its last two games. New York City, meanwhile, has won all four of its home matches against MLS newcomers, scoring at least three times in all four games.
