FLUSHING, NY(SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS OCT 19-20,2025)-NYCFC world fall apart on its last home season came when the Citizens faced the Seattle Sounders and loss 2-1, putting its chance in jeopardy of hosting the first two-game of the upcoming 2025 MLS Audi play-off tournament next week with the conclusion of the season.

With the loss, the Boys in Blue finished #5-seed with 56 points and most likely will meet #4-seed Charlotte FC in a 3-game series starting in October 24-Nov.09.

A game where New York needed just a tie just to lock a couple postseason home field advantage but could not find the rhythm on the pitch and its counter-attack were very weak that could not penetrate the strong defensive line of Seattle Rounders who also made the playoff as #5-seeded in the Western conference.


Both teams locked-horns in the first 45' with a score draw in the first half except when NYCFC's midfielder Justin Haak shot a 19' yard shot to goal but it was saved by Seattle goalkeeper to closed the half 0-0. 

The visitors went ahead in the score when midfielder Albert Rusnak centered a pass inside the 18, from a dead ball finding Jordan Morris who opened and scored with a header to the opposite goalpost to make it 1-0, in favor of the Saunders at 61' mark.

After numerous counter-attack without any major success, NYCFC found the equalizer through Nichols Fernandez with 8' minute remaining in the game.
In  a counter-attack originated by Maximo Carrizo through the middle passed to Julian Hernandez who immediately gave it to Nico Fernandez and scored with a left-footed that ended in back of the net to tie the game 1-1, sending the crowd in wild celebration.

What it appears that the game will ended-up in a tie, Seattle in a counter-attack five minute later resulted in a corner kick that was executed by midfielder Danny Leyva who sent a high ball inside the 18' finding Jackson Regen who scored with a strong header  to the opposite goalpost, shocking the crowd and sealing 2-1, win for Seattle Sounders over the Boys in Blue.

With the loss, NYCFC finish #5-Seeded in the Eastern Conference and will face #4-Seeded Charlotte FC in the firtt 3-game series of the 2025 MLS Audi postseason plyoff 

Article Written & Photo By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated