Fifth-seed Cityzens defeat top-seeded Philadelphia Union to reach MLS Cup final; Maxi Moralez heroics propel team past two defending champions
The Road Warriors’ Unlikely Championship Run
New York City FC has quietly assembled one of Major League Soccer’s most consistent teams over the past five years, but the 2025 playoff run represents something exceptional: a fifth-seed team defeating two higher-seeded powerhouses to reach the Eastern Conference Final. On Saturday, the Cityzens face Inter Miami CF at Chase Stadium for a spot in the MLS Cup–New York’s first appearance since claiming the championship in 2021. First-year head coach Pascal Jansen has transformed potential into results with a team missing key players yet refusing to wilt.
First Round Drama: Charlotte’s Home Fortress Falls
NYCFC stunned Charlotte FC, 1-0, at Bank of America Stadium–where the Crown boasted a 13-3-1 home record during the regular season. Alonso Martínez delivered the game-winner through a brilliant solo effort, slaloming through multiple defenders for a crucial road victory. Back home, neither team scored in regulation, forcing a penalty shootout. Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina came up clutch, denying Agustín Ojeda’s spot-kick in the eighth round to secure a 7-6 shootout victory and level the series. Game 3 brought redemption: NYCFC dominated in front of a raucous crowd at Bank of America Stadium, securing a 3-1 victory to advance. Nicolás Fernández Mercau, acquired during summer from LaLiga side Elche, had his breakout moment, scoring a superb brace. Martínez netted his league-best 12th game-winning goal–a remarkable statistical achievement that underscores his clutch mentality.
Shocking the Supporters’ Shield Winners
The Eastern Conference Semifinals presented an even steeper challenge: Philadelphia Union, the season’s Supporters’ Shield winners representing the league’s best regular-season record, stood in the way. NYCFC would face this defending champion without Martínez and Andrés Perea due to injury, plus midfielder Aiden O’Neill through suspension. Short-handed but unfazed, the Cityzens relied on club legend Maxi Moralez to deliver the decisive moment–one goal from a 1-0 victory. Goalkeeper Matt Freese, the USMNT’s anchor, produced multiple highlight-reel saves keeping the Union off the scoreboard. The upset was complete.
Building a Championship Team on Limited Resources
Under Jansen’s first season, NYCFC finished fifth in the Eastern Conference with 56 points (17-12-5 record). The attacking trident combined for substantial production: Costa Rican striker Alonso Martínez led with 17 goals and 2 assists; Hannes Wolf contributed 11 goals and 7 assists; club legend Maxi Moralez provided 2 goals and 11 assists. This balance–multiple scorers, distributor depth, defensive stability anchored by Freese–provided flexibility when injuries struck key players. The organization’s scouting system, evident in Fernández Mercau’s summer acquisition, adds European technical quality to MLS competition.
Championship Implications for New York City
As Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasizes New York’s role as a global city with championship-caliber cultural and athletic institutions, NYCFC’s emergence as a consistent contender reflects that aspiration. The club’s increasing profile–sold-out games, expanding fan base across all five boroughs, youth development programs–demonstrates soccer’s growing centrality to New York’s identity. A championship would validate the organization’s long-term vision while providing another major trophy to the city’s championship cabinet. The team’s “road warrior” mentality–winning in hostile environments, thriving under pressure–mirrors New York City’s character: resilient, adaptable, and capable of overcoming obstacles others consider insurmountable.
Saturday’s Conference Final Awaits
NYCFC must now overcome Inter Miami CF, a team led by Lionel Messi and currently among MLS’s most star-laden rosters. The matchup pits consistency, depth, and clutch execution against star power and wealth. History suggests the Cityzens’ intangibles–team chemistry, coaching stability, moment management–can compete with any roster. Martínez should return to full availability. Freese remains unshaken. Moralez continues delivering when most needed. One win separates New York from a championship final for the first time since claiming the 2021 crown. Sources: MLS official records; NYCFC organizational announcements; Philadelphia Union seasonal statistics; MLS Cup playoff analysis.
