New York City II vs Carolina Core: Predicted Lineups and Team News

New York City II host Carolina Core at Belson Stadium in MLS Next Pro group-stage action, with both sides needing points for very different reasons. The hosts sit on 18 points from 12 matches, with a perfectly balanced record of six wins and six defeats and a goal difference of -3. They are 6th in the Northeast Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference, a mid-table position that keeps them in touch with the upper places but leaves no margin for extended slumps.

Carolina Core arrive in New York with a far more fragile league position. They have collected just 12 points from 14 games, losing 11 of those fixtures and carrying a -8 goal difference. That places them 7th in the Central Division and 14th in the Eastern Conference, with away form a particular concern: seven defeats in seven on the road and 15 goals conceded. Against that backdrop, predicted lineups for this clash take on added importance, as Carolina look for a formula to finally take something away from home while New York City II aim to consolidate their stronger form at Belson Stadium.

Head-to-head history in MLS Next Pro slightly favors New York City II, who have won two of the last three meetings, though Carolina did produce a 5–0 home win in 2025. With both sides showing attacking intent but defensive vulnerability in recent league play, the expected starting lineup choices and tactical balance on each side will likely dictate whether this becomes another high-event contest or a more controlled affair.

New York City II Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no confirmed injury or suspension issues listed for New York City II ahead of this fixture. With no significant absences reported, the coaching staff are expected to lean on a strong core of regulars, especially at home where they have won four of six matches, scoring nine times. Their recent form line of WLWWL underlines a streaky but generally positive trajectory, with a strong attacking output balanced by defensive lapses.

Tactically, New York City II are likely to maintain an attacking-minded shape built around a solid goalkeeping base and a flexible midfield. With no forced changes, the expected lineup should allow them to press high in spells and exploit Carolina Core’s fragile away record. The emphasis will be on quick ball progression through midfield and using mobile attackers to stretch a defense that has conceded an average of 2.4 goals per game on the road.

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: C. Danquah, M. Jones

This predicted lineup for New York City II is built around experience in goal with T. Romero, who anchors a back line featuring the likes of Nico Cavallo and Maxwell Murray. João Loiola and E. Martin add youthful energy and ball progression from the defensive unit, which will be crucial in transitioning quickly against a Carolina side that can be dangerous in the middle phases of games.

In midfield, C. Flax, Musu, K. Pierre, and J. Ponce offer a blend of creativity, work rate, and versatility. Without specific top scorer or top assist data available, selection leans on positional balance and the expectation that these players can circulate possession and break lines. Up front, C. Danquah and M. Jones provide pace and direct threat, ideal for exploiting Carolina Core’s tendency to concede heavily between the 31st and 60th minutes. This starting lineup is expected to press aggressively in spells and maintain a high tempo, particularly at home where New York City II have averaged close to 1.7 goals per game across league play.

Carolina Core Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Carolina Core also come into this match without any listed injuries or suspensions. With no significant absences reported, the staff can select from a full squad as they search for a way to end a dire away run of seven straight defeats, with 17 goals conceded on their travels this season. Their overall form line of WLLOLW highlights inconsistency, but recent results show they are at least capable of winning at home.

Given their struggles on the road, the lineups today for Carolina Core are expected to reflect a slightly more conservative, compact approach. The focus should be on tightening the defensive structure, protecting central areas, and using quick transitions through midfielders like M. Zerkane and C. Lundeen to release a front line that does have individual quality. The challenge will be to balance that defensive caution with enough attacking presence to trouble a New York City II defense that concedes 1.7 goals per game on average.

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, R. Aguirre, M. L. Diakite
FW: J. Ibarra, K. Balogun

Carolina Core’s predicted starting lineup is built around N. Holliday in goal, with a back four of N. Brown, N. Evers, C. Orbaugh, and Santiago Yepes Valle tasked with stabilizing a defense that has conceded 29 goals in 14 league games. Evers’ experience and Brown’s athleticism will be vital against the movement of New York City II’s front line, while Orbaugh and Yepes Valle provide width and defensive coverage in wide areas.

In midfield, the combination of M. Zerkane and C. Lundeen offers control and passing range, while R. Aguirre and M. L. Diakite add energy and ball-winning ability. This unit will be central to Carolina’s hopes of slowing New York City II’s transitions and maintaining possession in key phases. Up front, J. Ibarra and K. Balogun form a dangerous attacking pair capable of exploiting any high defensive line or individual errors. Their movement between the lines and into the channels could pose problems for a New York City II defense that has conceded heavily in certain matches, including a 5–0 defeat in last season’s head-to-head away from home.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions listed for either side, this match should be decided by tactical choices and execution rather than enforced absences. Both coaches have the luxury of full squads, increasing the importance of in-game management and bench options.

New York City II Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Carolina Core Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This matchup sets a strong home side with a positive recent record against one of the league’s weakest away performers. New York City II, with six wins from 12 and a home record of four wins and two defeats, are likely to impose themselves early, especially given their scoring distribution that peaks between the 61st and 75th minutes. Their predicted lineup suggests a side comfortable with an attacking-minded shape, using full-backs like Nico Cavallo and Maxwell Murray to push forward and support wide midfielders, while central players such as Musu and K. Pierre control the tempo.

Carolina Core, by contrast, must find a way to protect a defense that concedes an average of 2.4 goals per game away from home. Their goals for and against timing indicates they are vulnerable in the first half-hour and just before the break, but can be dangerous between 31st and 60th minutes, when they score the majority of their goals. The predicted midfield of M. Zerkane, C. Lundeen, R. Aguirre, and M. L. Diakite will be crucial in disrupting New York City II’s rhythm and launching quick counters to J. Ibarra and K. Balogun. If Carolina can stay compact and avoid early damage, their attacking transitions could test a New York City II back line that has already conceded 20 goals in league play.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest New York City II are clear favorites, particularly at Belson Stadium, but Carolina Core’s ability to score in bursts means this is unlikely to be straightforward. New York City II have a stronger recent form profile, better home results, and a more balanced goal output, while Carolina’s away form is among the worst in the conference. The prediction models lean heavily towards a home win or draw scenario, with New York City II given a combined 90% chance of avoiding defeat.

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 broadcaster / streaming platform
• UK: Domestic football streaming service
• USA / North America: National soccer streaming platform
• South America: Regional sports network
• MENA: Regional pay-TV sports channel