After suffering a devastating US Open Cup exit in midweek, Charlotte FC now turn their attention back to Major League Soccer as they welcome Columbus Crew to Bank of America Stadium this weekend, hoping to steady a campaign slipping further into disarray.
The hosts endured a gruelling 120-minute battle at Audi Field before falling short in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against DC United, while the visitors have had the luxury of a full week’s rest after last taking to the pitch on May 18.
Match preview
It was a case of deja vu for Charlotte, whose US Open Cup dreams were dashed in the round of 16 for a third straight appearance, this time following a six-goal thriller that ultimately went against them from the spot.
The loss only compounded what has become a worrying run for Dean Smith‘s side, who have now claimed just one victory in their last six matches across all competitions, with five of those ending in defeat.
That solitary success came in the previous round of the Cup, where they dismantled North Carolina 4-1 after extra time, a result that now feels like little more than a footnote amid the club’s ongoing slide.
Charlotte had started the 2024-25 MLS season on the front foot, winning six of their opening nine games, but their alarming downturn has seen the Crown plummet to eighth in the Eastern Conference and 14th overall.
Their biggest undoing has been a defence that has lost its steel, with Smith’s men, who conceded only seven goals in those early nine fixtures and kept four clean sheets, now having shipped twice as many in their last five matches alone – all ending in defeat.
That leaky backline puts their previously flawless home record against Columbus in jeopardy, with the Crown having won both prior visits from the Crew without conceding, though they have failed to record victory in the two meetings since, drawing 1-1 at Lower.com Field last year before falling 4-2 at the same ground less than three weeks ago.
Now staring at the prospect of back-to-back defeats in this fixture for the first time, Charlotte’s once-imposing form on their own turf has also crumbled, with successive league losses in front of their supporters following a proud nine-match perfect run.
Meanwhile, Columbus arrive in the Queen City riding the wave of a five-game unbeaten streak, though their momentum has slowed slightly with the last three ending in draws.
The latest of those was a tense 1-1 affair in the Hell is Real derby with FC Cincinnati, where Diego Rossi coolly slotted home a second-half penalty to cancel out an early setback, yet despite generating an expected goals total of 2.88 from 16 shots, Wilfried Nancy‘s side could not find a winner.
Nevertheless, the Crew have shown their resilience throughout the campaign, with that draw extending a stretch that includes just one defeat all season – a narrow loss to Inter Miami – while no team across both conferences has drawn more than Columbus’ six stalemates.
As a result, Nancy’s men have collected 27 points and sit third in the East and fourth overall, two points off Philadelphia Union, who currently lead the combined table.
Their away record offers even more reason for optimism, with the Crew standing as one of just two teams in the MLS yet to taste defeat on the road during this regular season.
Nancy’s men have won two and drawn three of their five matches on opposition ground, and while they have conceded in every one, Columbus consistently delivered in attack – scoring eight times across that stretch to keep their points tally ticking.
It should be noted that a result at Charlotte this weekend would see the Crew equal the 2010 FC Dallas side for the longest road unbeaten run in MLS regular season history, with 12 matches without defeat.
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Team News
Patrick Agyemang took his career MLS tally to 14 goals with his strike in Charlotte’s most recent league outing – a 4-1 loss to Chicago Fire – and having netted 10 of those at home, the powerful forward will be eager to make his presence felt on familiar turf once again.
The hosts remain plagued by injuries, with Nimfasha Berchimas (foot), Nathan Byrne (neck) and Souleyman Doumbia (hamstring) all ruled out, while Jahlane Forbes is also set to miss out as he continues to nurse a thigh problem.
Meanwhile, Eryk Williamson, who was forced off in the previous match, is now a doubt alongside Idan Toklomati, while Kristijan Kahlina could make his return between the sticks after missing out entirely in their midweek cup outing.
In contrast, the visitors are dealing with fewer selection headaches, though Rudy Camacho and Andres Herrera are expected to be sidelined with thigh complaints.
Rossi has stood out for the Crew this season, racking up nine goal involvements in the league – seven goals and two assists – and remains their most potent attacking threat heading into this clash.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Scardina, Malanda, Tuiloma, Ream; Tavares, Diani, Biel, Vargas; Agymang, Petkovic
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Zawadzki, Amundsen; Farsi, Chambost, Nagbe, Arfsten; Gazdag, Aliyu, Rossi
We say: Charlotte FC 2-2 Columbus Crew
Charlotte have only drawn a blank once in five home outings in the MLS this season, and with the Crew’s matches often serving up action at both ends – given their tendency to score and concede – all signs point towards an open contest where both teams are likely to find the net, especially with the hosts continuing to look fragile at the back.
That said, a draw seems the most likely outcome, particularly given Columbus’ knack for sharing the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
