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-old Argentine midfielder stole the ball in the NYCFC end, dribbled down the field and fired a right-footed shot from the right side of the box into the top left corner.

Costa Rican striker Martinez, who netted 17 goals in 29 MLS regular-season matches, doubled the New York lead in the 50th minute with a left-footed shot into the lower right corner of the goal.

Charlotte leapt back into the match when Israeli striker Idan Toklomati scored in the 81st minute on a right-footed blast from the heart of the box.

But Fernandez added a clinching goal in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time to seal New York's victory, the visitors battling through 15 minutes of stoppage time before the final whistle.

Nico Fernández

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