New York City advanced to the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final against Inter Miami CF
New York City FC earned another magical road victory in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, this time against the Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union.
New York City advanced to the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final against Inter Miami CF.
New York City has advanced to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals or further in three of the nine times the Club has qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
This was achieved in the 2021, 2022, and 2025 seasons.
Club legend Maxi Moralez’s 27th-minute strike and heroics from U.S. men’s international goalkeeper Matt Freese made the difference as the Cityzens left Subaru Park with a 1-0 decision in Sunday’s Eastern Conference Semifinal.
The result booked a Nov. 29 visit to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF in the Eastern Conference Final. The winner moves on to the MLS Cup presented by Audi in Dec. 6.
Freese, Moralez and DP playmaker Nicolás Fernández Mercau – made the difference when it mattered most.
Freese, a former Union homegrown returning to his old stomping grounds, made five saves, including a brilliant close-range stop as Philly desperately pushed for an equalizer, to keep the clean sheet and strengthen his case for the USMNT’s No. 1 goalkeeper job at next year’s FIFA World Cup.
“It’s been a roller coaster, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of people believe in me and I’m super thankful for that, family, friends, people here, people in New York. It’s really all because of them,” Freese told Apple TV.
“The message is five days of preparation before. That’s what I’m focused on now. It felt good [celebrating with the fans], but a ton of respect for this club,” added Freese, a product of the Union’s academy.
Then there was Moralez, a key member of NYC’s MLS Cup-winning side in 2021 who scored his sixth playoff goal for the club – four of which have come against Philadelphia.
“We knew that we were going to suffer. They chose to play the long pass; we knew it was going to be difficult. But I think that we had the clearer chances; it was always going to be tight,” said the 38- year-old.
“This one, the goal, is different because this one is close to the end of my career. Scoring here is great, but winning here? It is a beautiful thing.”
Head Coach Pascal Jansen..
Moralez showed yet again why he remains a vital contributor.
“Massive goal today, but it is not only about today. His leadership was there from day one. He has been a great inspiration to the dressing room since day one,” said NYCFC’s manager. “He came back from a severe injury last season and if you see how much commitment he has shown throughout the season to be available and bring the level to the game that he has done, it does not surprise me.
