New York City II vs Carolina Core Predicted Lineups and Team News
New York City II welcome Carolina Core to Belson Stadium in MLS Next Pro group-stage action, with both sides looking to sharpen their playoff credentials. The hosts come into this fixture with 18 points from 12 matches and a goal difference of -3, sitting 6th in the Northeast Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference. Their all-or-nothing record of six wins and six defeats underlines how high their ceiling is when they click, but also how vulnerable they can be when the balance is off.
Carolina Core arrive in New York in a much more precarious position. With just 12 points from 14 games and a goal difference of -8, they are 7th in the Central Division and 14th in the Eastern Conference. They have yet to take a single point away from home this season, losing all seven away fixtures while conceding 15 goals. Against that backdrop, the predicted lineups for this clash take on real importance, as Carolina search for a combination that can finally travel and compete, while New York City II try to turn their strong home form into another three points.
Head-to-head history in recent seasons leans towards New York City II, who have won two of the last three meetings, including a 1–0 away success in 2024 and a 2–1 home win in 2025. Carolina did respond with a 5–0 home thrashing in April 2025, so this fixture has produced both tight tactical contests and heavy scorelines. With both teams tending to play open, attacking football and the focus on predicted lineups rather than confirmed elevens, this matchup promises to be one of the more intriguing ties in the MLS Next Pro schedule.
New York City II Team News & Expected Lineups Today
There are no listed injuries or suspensions for New York City II ahead of this match, so the coaching staff should have a full squad available. That is a significant advantage for a side already strong at Belson Stadium, where they have won four of six home games this season. Their overall form line of WLWWL and a 60% record over the last five matches suggests a team capable of reacting well after setbacks.
Given their positive attacking metrics – averaging around 1.4 goals per game this season and particularly dangerous between the 46th and 75th minutes – an attack-minded, front-foot approach is expected. The manager is likely to lean on a blend of academy talents and more experienced squad members, aiming to control midfield and use pace and movement in the final third. With no enforced absences, the expected starting lineup can be selected for balance rather than necessity.
New York City II Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup
Predicted Starting XI:
GK: T. Romero
DF: Nico Cavallo, João Loiola, E. Martin, Maxwell Murray
MF: C. Flax, Musu, K. Pierre, J. Ponce
FW: M. Jones, E. Samb
This predicted lineup leans on experience where possible. In goal, T. Romero stands out as the most seasoned option among a deep goalkeeping group, offering stability behind a youthful back line. At the back, the expected defensive unit of Nico Cavallo, João Loiola, E. Martin, and Maxwell Murray combines physicality with ball-playing ability, which should help New York City II build from the back and sustain pressure against a Carolina side that has struggled away from home.
In midfield, C. Flax, Musu, K. Pierre, and J. Ponce provide a mix of energy, ball progression, and creativity. Musu, at 25, is a natural candidate to anchor the central areas, while Flax and Pierre can operate between the lines and out wide, linking play and supporting both full-backs and forwards. Ponce adds another technical presence capable of threading passes into the channels.
Up front, the predicted front pairing of M. Jones and E. Samb offers a strong blend of mobility and experience. Samb, at 31, is well placed to act as a focal point, pinning centre-backs and creating space for Jones to attack the box. With New York City II scoring consistently in the second half of games, this attacking unit should be central to exploiting Carolina’s tendency to concede heavily after the break.
Carolina Core Team News & Expected Lineups Today
Carolina Core also have no officially listed injuries or suspensions for this fixture, meaning “No significant absences reported.” That clean bill of health is crucial for a squad trying to arrest a poor run of form. Despite three home wins, their away record is alarming: seven defeats from seven, with only six goals scored and 15 conceded. Their recent form line of WLLOLW underlines the inconsistency that has plagued their season.
Given their away struggles, Carolina’s expected approach is likely to be more cautious than at Truist Point. The coaching staff will be under pressure to find a more resilient defensive structure and a compact shape in midfield, while still carrying a threat on the counter. With the full squad available, there is scope to select a more balanced side in the lineups today, blending technical midfielders with direct attacking options who can exploit space behind New York City II’s defense.
Carolina Core Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup
Predicted Starting XI:
GK: N. Holliday
DF: N. Brown, N. Evers, C. Orbaugh, Santiago Yepes Valle
MF: M. Zerkane, C. Lundeen, M. L. Diakite, R. Montenegro
FW: J. Ibarra, K. Balogun
In goal, N. Holliday is a logical pick as a young but established option, supported by a back four of N. Brown, N. Evers, C. Orbaugh, and Santiago Yepes Valle. Evers brings experience and leadership to a defensive line that must improve its organisation, especially given Carolina’s tendency to concede early and late in halves. Brown and Orbaugh can provide width and overlapping support, but will need to balance that with defensive discipline.
The midfield quartet of M. Zerkane, C. Lundeen, M. L. Diakite, and R. Montenegro offers a strong spine. Zerkane and Diakite are well suited to providing structure and ball-winning ability in central zones, while Lundeen and Montenegro can shuttle between lines, helping Carolina transition quickly from defense to attack. This unit will be key to slowing New York City II’s rhythm and preventing them from dominating the central channels.
Up front, J. Ibarra and K. Balogun form a predicted attacking duo capable of troubling defenses on their day. Ibarra, wearing the 10 shirt, is a natural focal point who can drop off to link play, while Balogun brings direct running and finishing instinct. With Carolina scoring a good proportion of their goals between the 31st and 60th minutes, this pairing will be central to any hope of exploiting New York City II’s defensive lapses around the hour mark.
Injuries and Suspended Players Impact
With no officially listed injuries or suspensions for either side, absences are not expected to play a major role in shaping the match dynamic. Instead, the emphasis will be on tactical choices, rotation, and in-game management. Both coaches can select from their full squads, allowing them to tailor their selections to the specific threats and weaknesses of the opponent.
New York City II Absences:
- No significant absences reported.
Carolina Core Absences:
- No significant absences reported.
Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up
This contest sets up as a clash between New York City II’s proactive, attack-minded style and Carolina Core’s need for greater defensive stability on the road. The predicted New York City II lineup is built to control territory and possession, with ball-playing defenders like João Loiola and Maxwell Murray feeding a technically capable midfield. Players such as Musu and C. Flax should look to dictate tempo, while K. Pierre and J. Ponce can exploit half-spaces and wide channels.
Carolina, by contrast, are likely to prioritise compactness and counter-attacks. The central trio of M. Zerkane, C. Lundeen, and M. L. Diakite must screen the back line and disrupt New York City II’s build-up, especially in the dangerous 46–75 minute window where the hosts often score. Out wide, full-backs N. Brown and Santiago Yepes Valle will be tested by overlapping runs and underlaps, needing support from Montenegro and Lundeen. Up front, the movement of J. Ibarra and K. Balogun against New York City II’s centre-backs could be decisive; if Carolina can break quickly after turnovers, they have the tools to exploit the hosts’ relatively high defensive line.
Match Prediction and Verdict
Statistical comparison and recent form both point towards New York City II having the edge, especially at Belson Stadium. They boast stronger attacking numbers, better recent results, and a far superior home record than Carolina’s away form, which is currently winless with seven straight defeats. The predictive metrics favour New York City II heavily, with a strong lean towards a home win or at least avoiding defeat.
Given the probabilities, the expectation is that New York City II will control large portions of the game, create the clearer chances, and ultimately find a way through a Carolina defense that has conceded an average of 2.4 goals per game away from home. Carolina may have moments, particularly on the break, but sustaining pressure and keeping a clean sheet for 90 minutes looks a tall order.
Predicted Outcome: New York City II 2–1 Carolina Core
How to Watch New York City II vs Carolina Core Worldwide
Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:
- Spain: Local sports network / streaming platform
- UK: Domestic football streaming service
- USA / North America: Regional soccer broadcaster or league streaming service
- South America: Continental sports channel
- MENA: Pan-regional sports network
