Everything to know about NYCFC in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs

After 34 games, the regular season is over. New York City FC is entering the MLS Cup Playoffs, which begin this week. The Pigeons will play their first game next Tuesday, for they did enough to make it to the Round One Best-of-3 series.

Unfortunately, the Boys in Blue lost three of their last four Major League Soccer games, including the Decision Day matchup at home against Seattle Sounders FC. Those losses led NYCFC to end the regular season in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and subsequently miss out on having the home-field advantage in the first round. Yes, they will play a home game, but if the series goes to a third and final game, then the Pigeons must play two of the three on the road.

Looking at NYCFC in the playoffs

Nevertheless, there is plenty to go over about the playoffs. To start, NYCFC will play Charlotte FC in the first round. The Bronx side won their last meeting, but the Crown has had their number since joining the league, winning five of the eight games played. Therefore, this will be a tough first round.

However, the first round in 2024 was also difficult, for the Pigeons played the Columbus Crew. Yet, they forced a third and final game and won via a penalty kick shootout in the end. So, despite the history with Charlotte, this round is not an automatic elimination.

The teams will first meet in Game 1 on Tuesday, October 28, at Bank of America Stadium. Then, Game 2 will take place on Saturday, November 1, at Yankee Stadium. If the third match is needed, then Game 3 will be back on the road on Friday, November 7.

If NYCFC moves on, then they will have a chance to play in the Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and the MLS Cup. With these games, the team cannot lose, for they are single-elimination matches.

Looking ahead, NYCFC would likely continue a challenging path in the playoffs if they move on. Beating Charlotte would mean that the Pigeons would face the winner of the wild card and the Philadelphia Union. There is a higher chance of the Union being the team that the Bronx side would face in the Conference Semifinals.

Meanwhile, a win in that round would lead NYCFC to the Conference Finals. The Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF, or Nashville SC would be the team that the Boys in Blue would face. And, of course, the MLS Cup would be against a Western Conference team.

Whether the Pigeons move far in the postseason is yet to be seen. Anything can happen in the playoffs, though, and perhaps NYCFC will find their groove to go all the way to the Championship game.