Nicolas Fernandez scored two goals and Alonso Martinez added another to power New York City over Charlotte FC 3-1 on Friday and into the Eastern Conference semi-finals of the MLS Cup playoffs.

NYCFC, which captured its only MLS crown in 2021, won the best-of-three first round series 2-1 and advanced to a one-match showdown with East top seed Philadelphia Union.

NYCFC won the opener 1-0 while Charlotte captured the goalless second match on penalty kicks to set up the winner-take-all showdown at Charlotte.

Charlotte, which edged NYCFC for the fourth seed and home-field advantage in the series, won an MLS-best 13 home games during the campaign but couldn’t grab the triumph when it mattered most.

Fernandez opened the scoring in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

The 25-year-ol

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