Round One drama: What we learned in Game 3 & what comes next

And finally the Round One Best-of-3 Series grind of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs has come to an end. It did so mostly with bangers – golazos, PK shootouts, late heroics, and a statement win from the GOAT and friends.

We’ll have post-mortems for the eliminated teams coming this week. In the meantime, let’s pick apart what we saw: CHARLOTTE FC 1-3 NEW YORK CITY FC

Game 3 in a nutshell: Charlotte conceded all three NYCFC goals on set pieces. THEIR OWN set pieces.

I’ve literally never seen an MLS game play out like this:

To have that happen in a series-deciding playoff game? I’m not sure whether to go with “football, bloody hell!” or #ThisLeague. Either is appropriate.

And so I almost don’t know what else to say. Charlotte were actually very good in this one – of their six playoff