| NEW YORK (Thursday, October 30, 2025) – Game 1s in the Round One Best-of-3 Series are in the books, with home fortitude and tight wins the key storylines from a thrilling set of Audi MLS Cup Playoffs action. Of the eight Game 1 matchups, six were decided by one goal or fewer, which included two nail-biting penalty kick shootouts won by the Philadelphia Union and Minnesota United FC.
As the attention shifts to Game 2 action Saturday through Monday this weekend, eight teams will face elimination as they fight to keep their postseason berths alive. However, in 2024, Game 2 also served as a key momentum point for clubs that had fallen behind in the series. Both Atlanta United and New York City FC lost on the road in Game 1, but followed that up with convincing wins in regulation before going on to win their respective series.
Will the top seeds go on the road and complete the series sweep, or can home-field advantage help those trailing knot up their Round One matchup at 1-1? All eight Game 2 contests promise to be box-office viewing as spots in the Conference Semifinals are officially on the line.
Home Dominance the Story of the Playoffs So Far
Prior to this season, home teams had won 69% of games in the Round One Best-of-3 Series and that trend only continued throughout Game 1s. Seven of the eight Game 1 matches were won by the home side, which tied the most in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, previously achieved in 2023.
In the Western Conference, three of the four matches were separated by just one goal or penalty kicks, while Vancouver Whitecaps FC convincingly dispatched FC Dallas, 3-0. The surprise result of Game 1 came at Bank of America Stadium as Charlotte FC boasted the best regular-season home record, but New York City FC had other plans, thanks to an Alonso Martínez goal.
As the top seeds head on the road, all lower seeds outside of Chicago Fire FC had better home records than road records in 2025. Those clubs will look to utilize that home form to earn a crucial home victory in Game 2.
Could New York City FC’s Alonso Martínez Be the Next Playoff Poacher?
One trend over recent Audi MLS Cup Playoffs has been a breakout striker who goes on a scoring stretch and leads their team on a deep run. In 2024, the LA Galaxy’s Dejan Joveljić became the first player in more than a decade to score six goals in a postseason. The year prior, LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and the Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández each scored five times en route to clashing in MLS Cup presented by Audi. In 2025, that player might be New York City FC forward Alonso Martínez.
Martínez certainly started his playoff push in style on Tuesday night, scoring the goal of the postseason so far, as he eluded five Charlotte defenders for the stunning game-winning goal on the road (Watch Here). The Costa Rican forward fits the mold of a breakout playoff star, having scored 33 times over the past two regular seasons and taking his game to a new level with the arrival of marquee summer signings.
As the only road team to win a Game 1, Martínez looks to make his case as the next breakout postseason poacher in Game 2 on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass and Apple TV).
Inter Miami CF Look to Get Over the First Round Hump
After a convincing Game 1 win over Nashville SC, Inter Miami CF are once again on the verge of getting over their first-round postseason hump. Since joining the league in 2020, Miami is yet to win a playoff series and will look to get the sour taste out of their mouths having taken a 1-0 lead over Atlanta United in 2024, before losing both Game 2 and Game 3.
As the Herons look to win their first playoff series in club history, the difference in 2025 might be an improved defense down the stretch. Miami has allowed one goal or fewer in five of their last seven matches, with new starting goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo excelling in net. When you combine that with an offense that has scored at least three goals in all but one of their last nine matches, Miami will feel confident heading to Nashville in Game 2 on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass and Apple TV). |
