New York City FC beat Charlotte FC 3-1 in Game 3 of their Major League Soccer playoff series to clinch its spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
It was a feisty, hard-fought, evenly matched series, but NYCFC was the rightful victor in the end.
Charlotte’s season is officially over with this result, but NYCFC will move on to face the Philadelphia Union — the best team in MLS throughout the regular season — in a one-game semifinal on Nov. 22.
A confident attacking performance
NYCFC’s playoff story had been one of missed chances: In its opening two games against Charlotte, it scored just one goal from 22 shots. Coach Pascal Jansen knew his squad would have to be more clinical to seal Game 3.