New York City FC head coach Pascal Jansen believes forward Talles Magno is "trending in the right direction" ahead of their Eastern Conference clash against Charlotte FC.

Magno starred in NYCFC's US Open Cup win over Westchester SC on Tuesday, scoring a hat-trick in a 5-2 victory.

However, the Brazilian has yet to start in MLS this year, coming off the bench in all seven games and scoring once, in their 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids.

The 23-year-old spent the past two years on loan at Corinthians in his native country, but is now challenging Nicolas Mercau for the striker spot in New York.

When asked what Magno brings to the striker role compared to Mercau, Jansen said: "The intensity of play, his movement off the play is quite significant. There's a big difference. I would also say the pace off movement is a difference.

"And overall, if you look at both players, they are good players but completely different profiles.

"It's good to see Talles got three goals like he did on Tuesday. That means he is trending in the right direction to stay competitive with the guys who getting the starting minutes from the last games.

"But we need to make sure everyone stays competitive throughout the season because we need everyone available as well."

NYCFC lost 2-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps last time out, leaving them fourth in the East.

Charlotte are fifth in the conference, level on points with their upcoming opponents, but also lost their last MLS games (2-1 against Nashville SC).

However, like NYCFC, Charlotte progressed to the next round of the US Open Cup with a 6-0 win over Charlotte Independence.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York City FC – Matt Freese

Matt Freese made eight saves in New York City FC’s 2-0 loss to Vancouver, his most saves in an MLS match since recording nine against the Columbus Crew in June 2024.

Freese has had three regular-season games with eight or more saves with NYCFC, tying Sean Johnson for the most by any goalkeeper in club history.

Charlotte FC – Archie Goodwin

Coming on in the 83rd minute against Nashville, Archie Goodwin both won a penalty and scored a penalty.

He was the first MLS player to come off the bench to earn and score a penalty since Sporting Kansas City’s Santiago Munoz did so in July 2025 against the Seattle Sounders.

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK CITY FC WIN

New York City FC and Charlotte FC will meet for the first time since the 2025 playoffs, when NYCFC advanced after two wins and a penalty shootout loss.

NYCFC are unbeaten in four straight meetings across all competitions (W3 D1 including a penalty shoot-out loss) after losing five of the first seven (W1 D1).

They have also scored nine goals across their three meetings with Eastern Conference opponents this season (3.0 per game).

In four games against Western Conference teams in 2026, NYCFC are averaging 1.3 goals per game, with their only scoreless game this season coming against Vancouver on Saturday.  

Charlotte lost to Nashville despite having an expected goals value advantage of 1.65 (2.19 – 0.54). Prior to that defeat, the Crown had never failed to win a regular-season game when having an xG advantage of at least 1.25 (W15 D0 L0).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York City FC – 49.9%

Draw – 25.3%

Charlotte FC – 24.8%