Charlotte FC will attempt to earn its first MLS Cup Playoff win in regulation when it hosts a Round One series opener against New York City FC on Tuesday night.

Charlotte forced its previous opening-round series in 2024 to three games, but only by winning a penalty tiebreak after a 0-0 draw against Orlando City SC in Game 2. Orlando ended up taking the series by winning Game 3 on penalty kicks.

Expectations will be higher for the Eastern Conference fourth seed in 2025 now that Charlotte FC (19-13-2, 59 points in regular season) have had some experience and added former Premier League veterans Wilfried Zaha and Harry Toffolo to the squad.

"If you think about most of our squad, the base who's been playing, regardless of whether it's playoffs in MLS, they've had experience fighting at the

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