Pascal Jansen Confident Ahead of Charlotte Clash: “We Were Dominant — Now It’s Time to Take Our Chances”

Ahead of New York City FC’s Audi MLS Cup Playoffs showdown with Charlotte FC, head coach Pascal Jansenshared his reflections on the teams’ previous encounters this season. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Jansen expressed confidence in his squad’s performances — both at Yankee Stadium and on the road in North Carolina.

“Looking at Charlotte specifically, that’s interesting,” Pascal Jansen explained. “In our away game there, I thought we were quite dominant. We created good chances, but after conceding early, we couldn’t capitalize as much as we wanted.”

The Dutch manager noted that while Charlotte punished a brief lapse in concentration on the right side, his team quickly regained control of the match and dictated play for long stretches.

A tale of two strong performances

Reflecting on both regular-season meetings, Jansen pointed out that NYCFC’s level of play remained consistently high — even if the results didn’t fully reflect their quality.

“Overall, across the two games, we showed good quality,” he said. “In the first, we lacked the goals we deserved. In the second, we earned two penalties to take the lead and created several other chances to widen the gap. Those are encouraging signs for us.”

The coach’s analysis highlights a recurring theme this season: NYCFC’s ability to control games, paired with the need to be more clinical in the final third — a decisive factor as playoff pressure intensifies.

Turning dominance into goals

Jansen’s message heading into the playoffs is clear: dominance must now translate into goals. His side has built a strong tactical foundation and identity, combining structured buildup play with defensive solidity. Now, it’s about execution.

With the best-of-three Round One series set to begin, NYCFC’s efficiency in front of goal could determine how far they go in the postseason.

“We’ve built the consistency and the rhythm,” Jansen added earlier this week. “Now it’s about taking our moments when they come.”

NYCFC’s mindset: belief and progression

Under Jansen’s guidance, NYCFC has evolved into a more cohesive and balanced side. The Dutchman’s analytical approach and calm demeanor have instilled confidence in the squad, who enter the playoffs believing they can compete with anyone.

As New York heads to Charlotte for Game 1, the focus will be on maintaining control, converting chances, and turning strong performances into decisive victories.