Charlotte FC’s Nine-Game Winning Streak was brought to an end after she lost 2-0 to New York City FC.
Alonso Martinez sent two penalties, while Wilfried Zaha himself missed one, while NYCFC went on points with Charlotte in the Eastern Conference with a match in hand.
Martinez scored his first from the penalty spot after just 11 minutes. The Costa Rican striker hit his spot kick in the middle of the goal after Andres Perea was polluted by Kristijan Kahlina.
Martinez then scored his second from 12 meters in the 58th minute, this time found the right corner after Idan Toklomati was punished for a handball after a VAR review.
Zaha had the chance to halve the shortage 10 minutes later, but Matt Freese dived brilliantly on his right to catch the fine of the former Crystal Palace -Vleugel player when Charlotte lost for the first time in the competition since 28 June.
Come for Matt’s salvation, stay for Thiago’s response pic.twitter.com/aur8als4le
– New York City FC (@NewYorkCityFC) September 20, 2025
Also in the east, the Philadelphia Union temporarily expanded their lead at the top of the conference to five points after beating the New England Revolution 1-0.
After a demoralizing 7-0 loss for the Vancouver WhiteCaps last weekend, and a US Open Cup defeat during the week, Bruno Damiani’s 71st-Minute goal was sufficient to give the Union a much needed victory, while Peyton Miller also received a red card for the Tour.
However, Western leaders of the San Diego FC conference were held a 1-1 draw against Atlanta United in the very first meeting between the two parties.
Anders Dreyer’s first half strike was canceled by the penalty of Miguel Almiron in the 61st minute, which means that both Minnesota United and the WhiteCaps could move over San Diego if they win their matches in hand.
Data Debrief: Martinez on a role
After his brace against Charlotte, Martinez now scored three in his last three games for NYCFC and this season has 17 goals in total, a count that was only improved by Sam Surridge (21), Lionel Messi (20) and Denis Bouanga (19) in MLS.
After also linking his league total of last season, in three fewer competitions, only Messi (41), Bouanga (40) and Dejan Joveljic (38) have scored more often than Martinez since the start of the 2024 campaign.
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