Charlotte FC @ NYCFC MLS Week 26 2022 – Prediction & Preview

As we approach the 26th week of the 2022 MLS season, the games are getting hotter and more teams are struggling to hold on to their existing position. This week, we’re looking at two teams from the Eastern Conference with differences in their season. The objective is the same, but one seems to be closer than the other.

NYCFC only have to maintain their current position to get into the playoffs. Meanwhile, Charlotte FC needs to keep a good run of form to make it into the playoffs. The goal is to ensure that they keep getting better with their game, although they also need other teams to slip up before they can get into the top seven spots.

As we prepare for this tie, let’s look at both teams involved and what they need to consider before the game starts. We expect them to bring much to the table and go for the win. It won’t be an easy battle for both sides, and they would have to fight for the three points. So, let’s get into the overview of both teams and give our expert pick.

NYCFC Overview

Sitting comfortably in the third position of the Eastern Conference, NYCFC is one of the best-performing teams in the league. They’re on the verge of taking the first position if they can win their outstanding game. It is easy for the team to seal their spot in the top seven spots as we get closer to the playoffs.

With six points away from the first position and one game behind, they have the chance to close the gap as they face Charlotte this mid-week round of games. They would need to do better than the last two games that put them in this rut. They lost both games with the same scoreline, 3-2.

Their last game was a close one. It started with NYCFC taking the lead in the 34th minute through a strike from Talles Magno. However, Alejandro Pozuelo equalized for Inter Miami five minutes later before Thiago Andrade put NYCFC back in the lead to end the first half in favor of the away team.

The second half wasn’t as good for NYCFC as they didn’t get a goal, and Inter Miami got two to win the game. With that loss, it is the second game they are losing in a row and the third game they haven’t won after going on a four-game win streak. We expect them to change that lousy run at the end of the week.

Charlotte FC Overview

Charlotte FC is outside the top seven spots in the Eastern Conference, and they currently struggle to find a solid form. However, they are still close to making it into the top zones once they can hit good form. The only problem is that they would have to start by winning the game against NYCFC.

They are four points from the seventh position. Therefore, there is a good chance for the team. It is interesting to see how they would fare when they play against Charlotte FC. It would be a great match where they would need to get over the 5-0 thrashing from Los Angeles FC in their last game.

Even though the first half didn’t have anything tangible to separate the team, we saw a different game from the 49th minute when Jesus Murillo scored from a Diego Palacios ball. Ten minutes later, Jose Cifuentes doubled the lead for LAFC, compounding the misery for Charlotte FC.

The problem continued when Carlos Vela and Cristian Arango scored the third and fourth goals to increase the lead before Anton Walkes scored an own goal to end the day. It was a shameful performance that we expect Christian Lattanzio to work on before the game against NYCFC. That way, they can get the three points they need to increase their chances this season.

Charlotte FC @ NYCFC Prediction

The battle between the team is a highlight of how differently some teams have it this season. Charlotte FC is a struggling team, while NYCFC is one of the top teams this season. So, like when Charlotte faced LAFC, they would struggle against a top attacking team. However, we expect them to have learned from the game against LAFC.

They have the chance to make things better. But, NYCFC would be playing at home, giving them home ground support for the tie. So, we expect NYCFC to bet the team to win the game. In that case, our prediction is that NYCFC to win, with the score prediction at 2-0.