New York City FC head coach Pascal Jansen says his team is ready for their do or die clash on Friday night against Charlotte FC.
Jansen’s side travels to Bank of America Stadium this week to take on Charlotte FC in Game 3 of the Best-of-3 series in Round One of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. With the series delicately poised at one game apiece, the winner will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
“Like you said, it's a do or die, this is the one we need to win, and it goes for both teams, obviously, to go into the semifinal,” Jansen said. “We're ready. I think Charlotte will be ready as well, so we'll try to be on the on the right end of it.”
New York City claimed victory in Game 1 thanks to a solo strike from Alonso Martínez before a disappointing penalty kick shootout loss in Game 2. Reflecting on the differences between those two previous encounters, Jansen pointed to small margins and tactical adjustments.
“If you look into detail, I think two things [were different],” he said. “In possession, our accuracy and rhythm and play was not like we want it to be. Charlotte tried a new strategy when in possession—for us, out of possession—putting the ball in behind to get us on the back foot.
“They didn't create a lot of possibilities from these moments, but it changed the dynamics in the game. At the end of the day, we had two moments where we could have brought the game our way. That was a big chance during the regular time in the game, and a penalty shootout, but we didn't do it. So that's why we have to play Game 3.”
A key focus for New York City will again be containing Wilfried Zaha, who returned to Charlotte’s starting XI for Game 2 after missing the first game through suspension. Asked about the potential threat Zaha poses, Jansen explained what he felt his side did well last time out to limit his influence.
“I think a lot of things that we did right as a team, but also Tayvon in particular, [were] making sure that we play in and around Wilfried Zaha's area the way we did, making sure that we control and maintain a good structure in and around his position is key in order to keep control,” Jansen said.
“Obviously, them playing at home will add a different dynamic to the game, because they have their home crowd, and they play on turf where they are a very strong side. We just have to make sure that we focus on the good things that we've shown in Game 1, and the home game during the regular season in New York, but especially in game one, where we played on their turf in order to reach the same level, or even better, to make sure that we control the team and Zaha as well.”
Reflecting on the narrow shootout defeat in Game 2, Jansen said the players quickly shifted their focus toward the decisive third meeting.
“The mood, of course, was a little different, because we had fought to get to the semifinals,” he said. “We had a couple of moments during the game, and especially in the penalty shootout, the momentum was in our direction. But unfortunately, things changed, and Charlotte got the better of us in the penalty shootout.
“Everybody was a little down coming back into the dressing room, but that mood quickly changed into getting the focus right into game number three.”
Looking ahead, Jansen emphasized the importance of sharpness and composure on the ball against a disciplined Charlotte side.
“The quality for us in possession has to be at a higher level—a higher standard—which my boys are perfectly capable of doing,” he said. “But in order to beat a team like Charlotte, which is a very good team, well organized, you have to be very clinical on the ball, and you have to make sure that the moments that you get in order to open up the game, that you put those moments away.
“We've seen these moments when we played against Charlotte in the regular season. We've seen them in Game 1 in the playoffs, and we've seen them in Game 2 as well. Those moments are so important for any team to open up a team like Charlotte, because we're very compatible with each other. It's very close. The margins are very small. So those moments are crucial going into the final game, now.”
Jansen also expressed appreciation for the traveling fans who will be in attendance in North Carolina on Friday night. They made their presence known in Game 1 at the start of the month, and will be appreciated once again.
“During Game 1, they were also there for us,” he said. “We're very happy with people traveling to come and see us, and especially in this game in a big stadium like it is in Charlotte, we'll need all the support that we can get. We'll try to do as best as we can going into this game, and hopefully we can make our fans that have traveled with us, and also back home, very proud.”
