MLS: NYCFC snap Charlotte winning streak, Philadelphia get back on track

Charlotte FC’s nine-game winning streak was brought to an end after they lost 2-0 to New York City FC.

Alonso Martinez dispatched two penalties, while Wilfried Zaha missed one of his own, as NYCFC moved level on points with Charlotte in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand.

Martinez scored his first from the penalty spot after just 11 minutes. The Costa Rican striker slotted his spot-kick down the middle of the goal after Andres Perea was fouled by Kristijan Kahlina.

Martinez then scored his second from 12 yards out in the 58th minute, this time finding the bottom-right corner after Idan Toklomati was penalised for a handball following a VAR review.

Zaha had the chance to halve the deficit 10 minutes later, but Matt Freese dived brilliantly to his right to catch the former Crystal Palace winger’s penalty as Charlotte lost for the first time in the league since June 28.

Come for Matt’s save, stay for Thiago’s reaction pic.twitter.com/AUr8als4LE

— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) September 20, 2025

Also in the East, the Philadelphia Union temporarily extended their lead at the top of the conference to five points after defeating the New England Revolution 1-0.

After a demoralising 7-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend, and a U.S. Open Cup defeat during the week, Bruno Damiani’s 71st-minute goal was enough to give the Union a much-needed win, while Peyton Miller also received a red card for the Revs soon after.

However, Western Conference leaders San Diego FC were held to a 1-1 draw against Atlanta United in the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

Anders Dreyer’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Miguel Almiron’s penalty in the 61st minute, meaning both Minnesota United and the Whitecaps could move above San Diego if they win their games in hand.

Data Debrief: Martinez on a roll

Following his brace against Charlotte, Martinez has now scored three in his last three games for NYCFC and has 17 goals in total this season, a tally only bettered by Sam Surridge (21), Lionel Messi (20) and Denis Bouanga (19) in MLS.

After also matching his league total from last season, in three fewer games too, only Messi (41), Bouanga (40) and Dejan Joveljic (38) have scored more often than Martinez since the start of the 2024 campaign.