MLS: NYCFC snap Charlotte profitable streak, Philadelphia get again on observe
Charlotte FC’s nine-game profitable streak was delivered to an finish after they misplaced 2-0 to New York Metropolis FC.
Alonso Martinez dispatched two penalties, whereas Wilfried Zaha missed one in every of his personal, as NYCFC moved degree on factors with Charlotte within the Jap Convention with a sport in hand.
Martinez scored his first from the penalty spot after simply 11 minutes. The Costa Rican striker slotted his spot-kick down the center of the aim after Andres Perea was fouled by Kristijan Kahlina.
Martinez then scored his second from 12 yards out within the 58th minute, this time discovering the bottom-right nook after Idan Toklomati was penalised for a handball following a VAR evaluate.
Zaha had the possibility to halve the deficit 10 minutes later, however Matt Freese dived brilliantly to his proper to catch the previous Crystal Palace winger’s penalty as Charlotte misplaced for the primary time within the league since June 28.
Come for Matt’s save, keep for Thiago’s response pic.twitter.com/AUr8als4LE
— New York Metropolis FC (@newyorkcityfc) September 20, 2025
Additionally within the East, the Philadelphia Union briefly prolonged their lead on the prime of the convention to 5 factors after defeating the New England Revolution 1-0.
After a demoralising 7-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps final weekend, and a U.S. Open Cup defeat through the week, Bruno Damiani’s 71st-minute aim was sufficient to offer the Union a much-needed win, whereas Peyton Miller additionally obtained a crimson card for the Revs quickly after.
Nonetheless, Western Convention leaders San Diego FC had been held to a 1-1 draw towards Atlanta United within the first-ever assembly between the 2 sides.
Anders Dreyer’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Miguel Almiron’s penalty within the 61st minute, which means each Minnesota United and the Whitecaps might transfer above San Diego in the event that they win their video games in hand.
Knowledge Debrief: Martinez on a roll
Following his brace towards Charlotte, Martinez has now scored three in his final three video games for NYCFC and has 17 targets in complete this season, a tally solely bettered by Sam Surridge (21), Lionel Messi (20) and Denis Bouanga (19) in MLS.
After additionally matching his league complete from final season, in three fewer video games too, solely Messi (41), Bouanga (40) and Dejan Joveljic (38) have scored extra typically than Martinez for the reason that begin of the 2024 marketing campaign.
