What a wild, wild playoff game. My 5 thoughts on #NYCFC’s 3-1 win over Charlotte FC for @hudsonriverblue.com: www.hudsonriverblue.com/new-york-cit...

We have the intel on this Charlotte squad – @matthewmangam.bsky.social spoke to @dannybrams.bsky.social of @forthecrownbaby.bsky.social for Oppo Research: 5 Things about Charlotte FC 3/3:

Matt Freese finishes 2nd in 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: The #NYCFC shotstopper led winner Dayne St. Clair among players and clubs, but lost the media vote Here's @matthewmangam.bsky.social with the story ⬇️

After how well NYCFC played in Game 1, this performance and loss in Game 2 was not at all how they’d wanted this to go, now forced to win on the road in Charlotte for a second time just to keep their season alive @matthewmangam.bsky.social with more Thoughts on the Yankee Stadium loss

Playoff soccer is back in the Bronx as #NYCFC faces Charlotte. A win today would see NYCFC advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, while a loss would force Game 3 back in Charlotte.

Oppo Research: 5 Things about Charlotte FC @matthewmangam.bsky.social talks to Jorge Gonzales of Topbin90 to learn more about a Charlotte that have their backs against the wall, but that will have Zaha back in the lineup More here ⬇️

Big new exclusive Matt Freese interview by @matthewmangam.bsky.social is here On choosing Harvard over a chance to go pro at Manchester United, learning from Andre Blake, extending his contract with NYCFC, much more ⤵️

Availability report for tomorrow’s playoff game between #NYCFC and Charlotte. For Charlotte: Pep Biel is out, Wilfried Zaha is suspended, and left-back Harry Toffolo is questionable - he only played 63 minutes on Decision Day. For NYCFC: No significant names/changes.

#NYCFC return to the #MLSCupPlayoffs tomorrow when they face Charlotte FC in Round One Daniel Bramlette of @forthecrownbaby.bsky.social talked to @matthewmangam.bsky.social about a team that will be without Zaha and Biel, but that still have Kahlina in the net ⬇️

Justin Haak spoke with our @matthewmangam.bsky.social from the NYCFC training ground to preview the Charlotte series Hear from Brooklyn’s own about the challenge of facing Charlotte away, NYCFC’s confidence against the league’s top teams, + more

Wow, Orlando City's downfall post Leagues Cup needs to be talked about. Slid all the way down to 9th in the Eastern Conference and are down 2-0 to the Chicago Fire in the Wild Card game.

Want to learn more about an underachieving Seattle Sounders who are nonetheless are capable of beating any team in the league? Here's @matthewmangam.bsky.social with the Oppo Research feat @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com of @sounderatheart.com

Thanks to @hudsonriverblue.com for sharing some insights into Saturday’s opponent. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/10/oppo...

HRB's @matthewmangam.bsky.social spoke with @sounderatheart.com for their #NYCFC scouting report ⬇️

Oppo Research: 5 Things about Seattle Sounders @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com of @sounderatheart.com tells us about a Sounders that used 45 lineups in 46 games played, and are battling injuries as they get ready to face #NYCFC at Citi Field Here's @matthewmangam.bsky.social with more ⬇️

NYCFC couldn’t spoil the Union’s party or keep their road unbeaten streak alive, as the attack went quiet and they were left to rue too many missed chances. Here, @matthewmangam.bsky.social’s thoughts on the loss straight from Subaru Park

The Philadelphia Union lifts its second-ever Supporters’ Shield title:

Philadelphia Union defeats #NYCFC 1-0 and wins its second-ever Supporters Shield title:

Agustín Ojeda comes on for Alonso Martínez, and Mitja Ilenič comes on for Tayvon Gray. Nico will move up to the striker spot.

Halftime sub: Kevin O'Toole comes off, Aiden O'Neill comes on. Justin Haak moves to LCB, and Raul Gustavo moves to LB.

It felt like it was coming, but Philadelphia takes a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute. Mikael Uhre's shot from the top of the box took a deflection and beat Matt Freese.

#NYCFC has faced a Philadelphia onslaught, but Matt Freese already with three saves against his former club.

2': A great play between Hannes Wolf and Alonso Martínez should've been 1-0 NYCFC. The Costa Rican dribbled around Andre Blake but sent his shot sailing wide.

Alonso Martinez and Matt Freese back from injury, both get the start. Raul Gustavo at center-back tonight with Kevin O’Toole at LB. Justin Haak in the midfield with Andres Perea and Maxi Moralez. Hannes and Nico on the wings. #NYCFC

Tonight’s view. #NYCFC takes on the Philadelphia Union, looking to play spoiler and potentially delay their Supporters Shield title with a win tonight. @hudsonriverblue.com

#NYCFC will have Matt Freese and Alonso Martinez tomorrow, while Philadelphia has some players questionable, including Indiana Vassilev with a knee injury:

Oppo Research: 5 Things about Philadelphia Union Evan Konigsberg of @phlsoccernow.bsky.social spoke to @matthewmangam.bsky.social about Bradley Carnell's Philadelphia Union: They deserve to top the MLS table, but injuries could trouble this otherwise dominant side when they host #NYCFC More here ⬇️

Some evening reading 📖 ➡️ @matthewmangam.bsky.social’s excellent analysis on the rise of Andrés Perea

Not Much of a Passer, Good in the Air: The rise of Andrés Perea at #NYCFC The 24-year-old midfielder is making a case to become an everyday starter after stepping up for the injured Keaton Parks. Here's @matthewmangam.bsky.social with the analysis ⬇️

Brief thread of New York City FC player interviews by our @matthewmangam.bsky.social from the mixed zone at Sports Illustrated Stadium following the 3-2 Hudson River Derby win Hannes Wolf: "Happy that we came back, so important for us after the hard loss against Miami.”

My six thoughts from #NYCFC’s 3-2 win over the New York Red Bulls: www.hudsonriverblue.com/nycfc-vs-red...

Pascal Jansen: “I was pleasantly surprised by the number of blue shirts in a red stadium. When I saw the (Hudson River Derby) trophy come into the locker room, I was surprised by how big it is.”

Pascal Jansen on Matt Freese’s injury: “He’s being checked by the doctors and we’ll wait and see, but he had to be taken off - that’s a fact.”

Final: #NYCFC 3-2 Red Bulls — New York is blue as NYCFC completes the season sweep for the second straight year.

Matt Freese may have a concussion. He was kicked in the head by Choupo-Moting, and finally came off in the 68th minute. Tomás Romero replaces him.

#NYCFC retakes the lead with a goal from a corner kick. Carlos Coronel saved Andrés Perea's header, but Thiago Martins was there to capitalize on the rebound and score his 2nd-ever NYCFC goal. NYCFC leads 3-2 in the 66th.

Nicolás Fernández gives #NYCFC a 1-0 lead just two miuntes into this one with a great finish. His 2nd goal of the season.

#NYCFC's record without Alonso Martínez this season: 1W-1D-2L

#NYCFC fans making their presence known:

Boots on the ground at Sports Illustrated Stadium, as #NYCFC takes on the New York Red Bulls in the 32nd-ever meeting between the two sides. NYCFC can pretty much eliminate the Red Bulls with a win tonight.

Only change to the #NYCFC lineup from the Miami game three days ago is no Kevin O’Toole. Raul Gustavo takes his spot at left-back. Besides that, a typical lineup without the injured Alonso Martínez.

Oppo Research: 5 Things about New York Red Bulls @matthewmangam.bsky.social and @battista.bsky.social talk about this flawed but dangerous #RBNY squad ⬇️ (2/4)

Oppo Research: 5 Things about New York Red Bulls Our own @battista.bsky.social talks to @matthewmangam.bsky.social about why #RBNY are on their way to miss the playoffs this year, and why they can still do damage More here ⬇️

NYCFC entered with momentum on their side and exited with their most lopsided loss of the MLS season to date, with the team’s attack disappearing while Messi and friends ran wild at Citi Field @matthewmangam.bsky.social with more here on the mess of a midweek performance in Queens

What an amazing tifo from the Third Rail.

Absolutely electric intro. #NYCFC

The last four matches between #NYCFC and Inter Miami have ended in draws, but NYCFC is undefeated in its last 6 games against Miami, dating back to 2022. Lionel Messi has only played two games against NYCFC and has 0 goals but two assists.

Oppo Research: 5 Things about Inter Miami @matthewmangam.bsky.social talks to Michelle Kaufman of The Miami Herald to learn more about an Inter Miami that scores buckets of goals — and lets in buckets of goals, too More here ⬇️

Our coverage of the impressive 2-0 win by #NYCFC over Charlotte FC is up Here's the Game Recap from @matthewmangam.bsky.social ⬇️

Some more notes from that third straight #NYCFC win: NYCFC earned its second all-time win over Charlotte and has now won 16 games in a season for the first time since 2022. Matt Freese earns his 8th clean sheet of the season.