CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Nicolas Fernandez scored twice in stoppage time and Alonso Martinez found the back of the net early in the second half to lead New York City FC to a 3-1 victory over Charlotte FC in a best-of-three MLS Cup first-round series Friday night.
NYCFC will play No. 1 overall seed Philadelphia in the second round at Union Field, date and time to be determined.
Fernandez, a 25-year-old freshman midfielder, scored an unassisted goal in the second minute of stoppage time to give NYCFC, the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Martinez received a pass from Maxi Morales and scored five minutes into the second half for a two-point advantage. It was Martinez’s second goal in the playoffs this season and his third in seven postseason games. It was Morales’ first assist in his 21st playoff appearance, all with NYCFC.
Fourth-seeded Charlotte pulled within 2-1 on a goal from 25-year-old freshman forward Idan Tokromati in the 81st minute. Archie Goodwin and Harry Toffolo assisted on Tokromati’s first netter of the postseason. This was Goodwin and Toffolo’s first goal contribution in their first postseason.
Fernandez scored his second goal of the postseason in the 10th minute of 14 minutes of second-half stoppage time to tie the game. Hannes Wolff recorded his first assist in seven playoff games.
Matt Freese failed to record a save in his seventh postseason start for NYCFC after starting one game for the Union in 2021.
Kristijan Karina saved four shots in his seventh playoff start for Charlotte, which has struggled since Pep Beal suffered a season-ending injury during a League Cup game.
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