MLS: Fernández Mercau Shines Bright In Playoff Thriller, Sending NYCFC Through

Written by Patrick Echatah

Nicolás Fernández Mercau, New York City FC’s new Designated Player, scored two crucial goals (a brace) to lead the Cityzens to a 3-1 victory over Charlotte FC in Game 3 of their playoff series.

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This win secures NYCFC a spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Philadelphia Union.

“Game plan was to bring the A game, and I think we delivered and stuck together in the tough moments, and obviously helped each other in the good moments, in the big moments,” summarized goalkeeper Matt Freese.

“Some amazing offensive plays, obviously. So yeah, it was, I think, a full team win.”

Much like Alonso Martínez in the first game, Fernández Mercau delivered a brilliant opening goal just before halftime. He scored his first Audi MLS Cup Playoffs goal with a stunning solo run that began deep in his own half.

“It was a special one. Like the first game of the sequence of three with Tico [Martínez]’s goal, this is a special one,” head coach Pascal Jansen told MLS Season Pass at halftime.

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“It helps us a lot because it takes a little pressure off us, especially the first 15, 20 minutes, we were under pressure, dealing very hard with possession and keeping our calm. But throughout the game, we grew into it.”

“Overall, that was the message that we gave to each other going into Game 3, that we have to be more clinical in these type of games.

“Because, as you know, in Game 2, we had a big opportunity from a set piece to score and win the game, but we didn’t score. So in this game, playing away in a tough stadium like this, the clinical part of the game becomes even more important.”

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