Round 1, Match 2: Game Recap and Player Ratings for Charlotte FC vs NYCFC

By Brian Maurer

Photo: CJ Hellner/Topbin90

Charlotte FC needed to find a response in a do-or-die game at Yankee Stadium. With Wilfried Zaha back in the squad, Charlotte had more threat going forward and it looked like Dean Smith opted to go for it as both fullbacks and his midfield played higher up through the first 20 plus minutes of the match. That attacking pressure was close to paying off late in the first half as they had several good chances.

The second half started well for Charlotte, but as the half wore on New York started to mount pressure, but Charlotte's defense was able to bend without breaking forcing a penalty shootout to save their 2025 season.

In penalties, Charlotte fell behind when Ashley Westwood missed his penalty, but after New York had a PK go wide, the shootout went to extra PK rounds, where Kristijan Kahlina stepped up to save the day.

Kristijan Kahlina - 8/10

Kahlina's role was minimal in the first half as Malanda and Ream handled the pressure in front of them. In the second half the match opened up significantly forcing Kahlina to make several more saves, although none of them were anything exceptional. Kahlina did his job in regulation. In penalties, Kahlina stepped up and made a big time save to keep their playoff run alive, turning his performance into a top one.

Harry Toffolo - 6/10

Toffolo created Charlotte FC's first chance off of combination play with Zaha and then a cross into the box. He was set up with a great look by a Toklomati back heel but he missed a wide open look with his left. Toffolo's assignment got far more difficult in the second half as the game became wide open. However, his ability to cover and support from Diani helped limit the defensive fragility from that side. Toffolo's penalty was scary because he slipped but he slotted it home.

Tim Ream - 7/10

Ream and Malanda managed the attacking pressure from New York well through the first 45. In the second half the defensive performance became far more shaky as the pressure of the season being on the line created an open game. He was asked to do a lot of running through the final minutes of a very intense match.

Adilson Malanda - 6/10

Through the first 45 Malanda and Ream both managed the pressure left from the space left by the team playing higher and looking to go for goal. Malanda had a similar rating and performance to Ream but he had one extra poor moment where he fouled a New York attacker just outside the box giving them an unnecessary free kick from 20 yards. In penalties, he drilled his shot giving Charlotte

Nathan Byrne - 6/10

Byrne's right hand side is where several dangereous moments came for New York in the first half. Charlotte wasn't punished by any of them but it looked like Charlotte's right flank was a target. He had a bad wiff in the second half which put him out of position in the second half where New York had a dangerous moment. He continued to get caught out of position leaving space in behind, and eventually was issued a yellow for a bad foul just outside the box. He also drilled his penalty to help secure the win.

Djibril Diani - 6/10

Diani played a bit higher alongside Westwood and both left space in behind that New York was able to exploit at times. Diani's pressure playing higher provided countering opportunities early on but his possession was not strong enough when he made progressive passes to the attacking line. Diani gave up a silly foul earning a yellow card in the early part of the second half, which didn't do him any favors on his performance. He was able to help support some of the gaps left by Toffolo as he stayed high and the match began to open up. Diani stepped up and drilled his penalty.

Ashley Westwood - 6/10

Westwood and his midfield pivot partner Diani both started the game playing a bit high leaving space to operate between their midfield and backline. New York were able to create multiple counter attacks off of that space in midfield. By the end of the first half, Westwood's higher pressure was close to paying off as he had a shot that hit the woodwork late in the first 45. While the second half opened up, the most memorable moment from the Captain's performance is going to be his missed PK which put the Crown behind early in the penalty shootout.

Brandt Bronico - 8/10

Bronico started the game in his typical high pressing from his midfield role and had Charlotte's first real chance in the first 15 minutes with a shot off the crossbar. He was then involved in two more great chances by Charlotte as the first half wound down. The second half started strong for Bronico as well as he continued to find the ball while making runs into space. He looked like one of Charlotte's most impactful players before he was subbed by Archie Goodwin.

Wilfried Zaha - 7/10

Zaha drew an early yellow from New York's Aiden O'Neill, and was able to create a few dangerous moments especially with his combination play with Toffolo along the left-hand side. Zaha used New York's defensive focus to open play up for his teammates. A good example of this in the first half was when he took the ball centrally and put Bronico through on the right. Bronico's cross found Toffolo open in the box. Zaha slotted his PK home to keep Charlotte's playoff hopes alive.

Idan Toklomati - 6/10

Toklomati took a bit of time to find his place in the game, but as the first half wore on he was involved in Charlotte's best chance where he backheeled a pass onto the foot of a wide open Toffolo. Unfortunately the finish wasn't there. Toklomati continued to be involved in the attack through the second half but wasn't able to make that impact moment happen. The Israeli striker drilled his penalty in the shootout.

Kerwin Vargas - 5/10

Vargas' right hand side was exploited multiple times by NYC as most of their attacks came down his flank. He had a good moment where he headed a set piece back towards runners but Freese was able to gather the ball. Vargas' performance had a couple moments but nothing significant which describes his overall play from today.

Archie Goodwin - 6/10

Goodwin subbed on for Brandt Bronico in the 74th minute. Goodwin wasn't able to provide an attacking impact that was needed to help get the team across the line in regulation. In penalties he stepped up and put his PK past Freese. A big moment for the summer signing.