- New York City FC have won three of the last five head-to-head encounters with Charlotte, including a 3-1 away win in the 2025 MLS Playoffs.
- Pascal Jansen’s NYCFC averages 4.0 goals per game when hosting Charlotte, while Charlotte score an average of 3.5 goals per game when visiting New York City FC.
- Charlotte have picked up two wins from their last five meetings with the hosts, keeping the rivalry competitive.
NYCFC looking for payback after 2025 MLS playoff final loss
New York City FC currently sit in 11th place, level on 11 points from seven MLS 2026 games with Saturday’s visitors Charlotte in 13th, a tight early-season leaderboard.
Nicolas Fernandez has been in fine form for the home side, scoring five goals in seven MLS 2026 appearances, making him their biggest threat. However, talisman and playmaker, Maxi Moralez, has been their creative heartbeat, recording five assists in seven league games.
Charlotte’s own talisman, Pep Biel, is their main scoring threat this season, with four goals in seven MLS 2026 appearances. Talles Magno has also found his shooting boots recently for the hosts, scoring four of NYCFC’s 11 goals over their last five games.
Form guide
New York City FC’s form has been inconsistent, winning two, drawing one and losing two of their last five matches in all competitions. However, the home side did record a 5-2 US Open Cup win, but they also lost their most recent MLS game 2-0 to Vancouver Whitecaps.
Charlotte have enjoyed a strong start to the season, winning three, drawing one and losing one of their last five in all competitions, a run which includes a 6-0 trouncing of 614318 and a particularly notable 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union.
A tactical chess match is expected
Pascal Jansen, who took the reigns at New York City FC in January 2025, has transformed the club into an aggressive, high-pressing and possession dominant team that looks to dominate games by building from the back and pinning opponents in their own half.
Dean Smith, who has overseen Charlotte’s direct and vertically minded style since December 2023, has done a fantastic job of creating a fluid and compact side that can transition quickly and defend resolutely. Smith’s men will look to capitalise on any space behind the NYCFC back four and use their overlapping full-backs to create chaos for the visitors.
New York City FC have been solid, but unspectacular on home soil so far in MLS 2026, winning two, drawing one and losing one of their four home games. Charlotte have not had the best of luck on the road, drawing and losing their two away games in MLS 2026, conceding an average of 2.00 goals-per-game.
New York City FC to edge out Charlotte in a high-scoring affair
The odds on a home win are attractive at 21/25, and we’re taking advantage with an Over 2.5 goals and Both Teams to Score - Yes prediction at 4/5 and 7/10 respectively.
NYCFC’s high-scoring history against Charlotte, coupled with the visitors’ attacking talent and the extra narrative of the 3-1 playoff win last season, should see both sides find the net in an open and entertaining fixture.
