It’s Matchday 22, and New York City FC are back in the borough of Queens to host Charlotte FC at Citi Field — and try to get their first-ever win ever against a club they have faced three times: Here is your NYCFC vs Charlotte preview and Game Day Hub.
Game Day Essentials
- Matchday 22: NYCFC vs Charlotte FC
- Date and Time: Wednesday, July 5, 7:30 pm ET
- Kickoff Time: 7:39 pm ET
- Venue: Citi Field
- Bruce Arena Forecast: A broiling-hot day drifting into a pleasant if warm night, 85˚ F/30˚ C
- Watch: Apple TV
- Apple TV Broadcast Team: Eric Krakauer and Lloyd Sam
- Listen: English and Spanish broadcasts on NYCFC Radio
- Officiating Crew: Filip Dujic (referee), Jeremy Hanson and Lyes Arfa (assistant referees), Luis Diego Arroyo (fourth official), Michael Radchuk (VAR), Tom Supple (assistant VAR)
NYCFC vs Charlotte preview
Neither team are crowning themselves in glory this season. The two mid-table clubs are even on points with 24 each, but Charlotte sit in 10th place, one spot above New York City, because of their six wins.
Still, you have to give the edge today to NYCFC. New York City have been looking sharper, and they recorded their first road win of the season – and their first win in 12 games – when they beat CF Montréal on Saturday.
Charlotte are now winless in their last five games, and will be rested after enjoying a bye last week. Charlotte came out on top when the two sides met on May 6 in North Carolina. New York City scored twice at Bank of America Stadium that night, but poor set-piece defending and an own goal gave away the game. NYCFC will be looking to avenge that loss, and climb back into the playoff picture.
Oppo Research: 5 things about Charlotte FC
NYCFC vs Charlotte FC H2H
GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 |
It ain’t even close: Charlotte have won all three matches between these two clubs. The games last year were ugly affairs for NYCFC, and their loss against Charlotte earlier this season wasn’t much better.
Where to eat at Citi Field: 2023 Update
NYCFC
- Player Availability: Defender Thiago Martins will be out until late August after undergoing knee surgery. James Sands is with the USMNT. Santiago Rodríguez is serving a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation.
- Braian Cufré and Tayvon Gray are both one yellow card away from serving a one-match suspension.
- Will Matías Pellegrini get into the Starting XI again? His game-winning scissor kick against Montréal was exquisite – and totally should have won MLS Goal of the Week – and should earn another start.
- Will we see a back three of Maxime Chanot, Tayvon Gray, and Justin Haak once again? Probably. They defended intelligently against Montréal, and are developing that all-important on-field chemistry. Not bad for the team’s oldest player, a shifted-over right-back, and a repurposed midfielder.
- Watching the game in person? NYCFC attendance is reportedly up 24.1% this year, the third-highest jump in MLS.
- If you’re going then you’ll want to consult our Citi Field dining guide — there’s a lot of good eating to be had if you know where to look.
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Charlotte FC
- Player Availability: Starting center-back Adilson Malanda and backup defender Hamady Dion are out with injuries.
- More intriguing, will new signing Scott Arfield make an appearance? The 34-year-old Designated Player was just signed from Rangers FC, and will be eligible to play today.
- Will Charlotte let in goals? The club let in 10 goals in their last five games, and are tied for last in the league with 35 goals allowed this season so far.
- Will Charlotte score goals? They found seven in that same five-game stretch, and a forward line with Karol Świderski, Enzo Copetti, Kerwin Vargas, and Kamil Jóźwiak is nothing to sneeze at.
- Charlotte’s three away wins puts them in a seven-way tie for second place in the Eastern Conference.
- Want more insight into this club? Be sure to read Oppo Research: 5 things about Charlotte FC.
