Overview
- Charlotte won 7-6 on penalties following a 0-0 draw, leveling the series 1-1 and setting up Friday’s decider at Bank of America Stadium.
- Nathan Byrne converted the visitors’ eighth kick before Kahlina saved Agustín Ojeda to end the shootout.
- Wilfried Zaha returned from suspension for Charlotte and was largely contained as NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese made key first-half stops.
- The game featured 29 fouls, with NYCFC controlling early possession and corners but failing to turn pressure into goals.
- NYCFC took Game 1 in Charlotte 1-0 through Alonso Martínez, and the series winner advances to face the Philadelphia–Chicago victor.