New York City FC made it back-to-back wins on Wednesday night, defeating Charlotte FC 1-0 at Bank of America Stadium.
Nico Fernández Mercau scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season in the eighth minute, which was the product of excellent build-up play from New York City.
From there, NYCFC defended soundly to secure their third clean sheet this season and second in a row, their second away win, and their third straight win in North Carolina.
New York City will next play Red Bull New York in Harrison, New Jersey, and two straight wins make it the club's best form since March, when it won three straight games and was tied for first in the Eastern Conference.
New York City: 0.63 xG, 4 shots, 1 shot on target, 53% possession, 492 passes, 89% pass accuracy, 14 fouls, 2 corners, 2 saves
Charlotte FC: 0.51 xG, 5 shots, 2 shots on target, 47% possession, 415 passes, 89% pass accuracy, 19 fouls, 8 corners, 0 saves
Goals:
• New York City, Nico Fernández Mercau, 8'
Charlotte still can't stop Fernández Mercau
After assisting on two of Hannes Wolf's goals in the last game against Columbus, Nico Fernández Mercau got back on the scoresheet against Charlotte in just the eighth minute.
Although Maxi Moralez wasn't credited with the assist — that was Wolf — he started the play with a perfectly-hit scoop pass to Agustín Ojeda. Once the ball got to Fernández Mercau, he patiently took his time to create space for himself by cutting back and dribbling smoothly.
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Fernández Mercau's left-footed, low shot was placed straight at Kristijan Kahlina, but it went directly under the 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year's hands and into the back of the net.
QUIEN MÁS QUE NICO 🗣️👏 pic.twitter.com/McF63xyMLu
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) May 13, 2026
The goal was Fernández Mercau's fourth career goal against Charlotte and his third goal at Bank of America Stadium after scoring twice there in last year's MLS Cup Playoffs.
It's safe to say Fernández Mercau loves playing Charlotte.
Zaha, Pep Biel kept quiet
In their first 11 matches, NYCFC conceded 18 goals — the most it has ever allowed in the first 11 games of a season — and recorded just one clean sheet. But now, New York City has kept their last two opponents scoreless.
To get that second consecutive clean sheet, NYCFC had to stop Pep Biel and Wilfried Zaha. Biel leads Charlotte in goals (six) and assists (four) and entered Wednesday night's match in great form. As for Zaha, he's tallied just two goals and one assist this season, but has three career assists in his matches against New York City.
Matt Freese had to make just two saves, as NYCFC limited Charlotte to just five shots, one of them being a big chance, when Freese had to spring off his line and intervene to deny Pep Biel, who'd been played in alone against Freese by Zaha. Biel otherwise didn't create any chances, had just two touches in New York City's box, and didn't complete any dribbles.
Freese holds it down 🧤❌ pic.twitter.com/zVgZA5P2bR
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) May 14, 2026
As for Zaha, he posted an xG of 0.02, an xA of 0.43, created two chances, and also had two touches in NYCFC's box. The left-winger has now gone five games without a goal contribution.
Although New York City enters the 34th-ever Hudson River Derby on just two full days of rest, they have won two straight games and posted back-to-back clean sheets.
• New York City, Nico Fernández Mercau, yellow card, 29′
• New York City, Agustín Ojeda, yellow card, 33'
• Charlotte, Djibril Diani, yellow card, 36'
• Charlotte, Pep Biel, yellow card, 38'
• New York City, Hannes Wolf, yellow card, 40'
• Charlotte, Wilfried Zaha, yellow card, 71'
• New York City, Malachi Jones, yellow card, 84'
• Charlotte, Archie Goodwin, yellow card, 87'
• New York City, Raul Gustavo, yellow card, 90+4'
Officials
• Referee: Jon Freemon
• Assistant referees: Ryan Graves, Rhett Hammil
• Fourth official: John Matto
• VAR: Younes Marrakchi
• Assistant VAR: Fabio Tovar
