In Match 1, New York City FC, known as the boys in blue, faced Charlotte FC away at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 28. Charlotte FC already boasts a strong win record against the Boys in Blue, as they remain undefeated on home turf. This left most New York City fans worried that their run might already be over, as they will have to face them again for Match 3 at Bank of America Stadium if New York City fails to win at Yankee Stadium. 

This is New York City FC’s chance to make history in this run, defeating Charlotte FC for the first time at Bank of America Stadium and advancing to the next stage if they defeat them at home at Yankee Stadium for Match 2. 

The kick off is strong for both teams, but the Boys in Blue have more possession of the ball. In the 30th minute, Perea hits the post, denying the team a goal. A couple of minutes later, a mistake from Charlotte FC leads to a New York City FC counterattack. The defender denies the cross, and Alonzo Martínez takes control of the ball. He dribbles the ball past five defenders, he shoots, and he scores! 

A 33rd-minute goal by the Costa Rican Alonzo Martínez for New York City FC gave them a 1-0 lead against Charlotte FC. The game goes into the second half, and the Boys in Blue are playing more defensively now as they’re in the lead with one goal. On the 96th minute, the whistle was blown, ending with New York City FC winning Match 1. They can advance to the next round if they win at home at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 1.

In the second match, the Boys in Blue will host Charlotte FC at Yankee Stadium. New York City has one win, and all they need is another win to secure their place in the semifinals of the MLS Cup. 

The first half was aggressive, with both teams going at each other, trying to score the first goal of the match, but they were unlucky, especially Charlotte FC. In the 13th minute, the ball hits the crossbar off New York City’s post, and there was another failed attempt from Charlotte FC in the 41st minute as they missed the opportunity to score from an open goal. This has been unlucky for Charlotte as they hit the post again in the 44th minute, but very lucky for the Boys in Blue as we head to the 2nd half of the game. 

New York City has received a free kick in the 72nd minute, goes for a cross and a header, and is saved by Charlotte’s goalkeeper. The game ended in the 92nd minute, with neither team scoring. 

The game got interesting on the second penalty kick as Charlotte player Ashley Westwood’s shot was saved by the USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese. This gives New York City the lead and the chance to head into the semifinals. 

As things seemed to be going great, on the fourth take of the shootout, New York City Julian Fernandez missed the goal by a long shot and made it even on the sheets. This shootout went to the eighth take, and it was up to Agustin Ojeda. He shoots and is saved by Charlotte’s goalkeeper, Kristijan Kahlina, not just saving the shot but saving Charlotte’s hope to continue in the MLS Cup.

Match 3 will be played back at Bank of America Stadium on Nov. 7. This will be the tiebreaker, and we’ll see who advances to the semifinals.