NYCFC vs Charlotte FC preview: Can the Boys in Blue finally get a win over the Crown?

With New York City FC’s homestand continuing, they have been turning it around with their second win in a row against D.C. United. This puts them in 8th place in the Eastern Conference, while just a few points away from the top five. They have outscored their opponents 5-1 during the last three matches as the Boys in Blue look like they are back in the New York groove.

Last week's win was also big for Nick Cushing, who had been heavily criticized for his tactics after the 1-4-1 start to the season. Plus, with news of the new stadium’s approval, the fans have been showing up to support the Pigeons, despite the slow start to the season with an average of 21,342 attendance during the five home games thus far.

Looking ahead to Saturday, NYCFC will welcome Charlotte FC into town for another Eastern Conference showdown. They had already lost to the Crown earlier this season. However, they have dropped in form dramatically, with just nine goals scored in nine matches played.

Here is the preview of the clash between NYCFC and Charlotte FC.

Date

NYCFC and Charlotte F.C will face off on Saturday, April 27.

Time

The match is set to start at 7:30 PM ET. 

Location

The game will be held at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY.  

How to watch

The fixture will be available on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Weather

As expected, New York’s sporadic spring weather continues as it is supposed to be a high of 59 degrees and a low of 49 on Saturday. By the time the match kicks off, it is expected to be around 53 degrees and cloudy, with a 14 percent chance of rain and winds up to 12 mph.

Injury Report

Maxi Moralez (right knee) is still working on his return to the pitch, though he is not expected to return for another month or two. Cushing provided an update on Talles Magno’s (left knee) status, he continues to work with the physios in individual training but is still dealing with some pain and will likely remain out for NYCFC.

Update 12:15 PM: As per the injury report, Rio Hope-Gund (right leg) is also out.

Players to watch

After an emotional match that saw Mounsef Bakrar in tears after another game of missed opportunities, he will still be a player to watch as he continues to look for his first goal of the season. Despite helping in the attack by creating chances and making secondary assists, all the pressure is on him to score. Julián Fernández is another player to look out for. He’s scored during the last two matches off the bench and will be an option for the attack, where he has seen split playing time with Agustín Ojeda and Alonso Martínez.   

On Charlotte, with Enzo Copetti’s early season struggles, there hasn't been a huge offensive threat for the team. Ashley Westwood has been the main playmaker for the side, creating 13 chances while maintaining an 82.7 percent pass accuracy. Keeper Kristijan Kahlina has allowed 11 goals in nine games, keeping two clean sheets with an average of 2.1 saves per match.

Prediction

NYCFC has failed to beat Charlotte since their inaugural season in 2022. Despite keeping 62.1 percent of the possession in their last outing, the Boys in Blue failed to capitalize against Charlotte away from home. Now, with the advantage on their side, NYCFC could see a result, especially after maintaining a clean sheet in their last two games. A solid prediction would be a 1-0 win for the Pigeons with a goal from none other than Santiago Rodríguez.