Playing in their first-ever MLS home playoff game, Charlotte FC will try to stave off elimination when they host Orlando City in game two of that best-of-three series on Friday at Bank of America Stadium.
A goal in each half last weekend enabled the Lions to win the opening match of this series 2-0 at Inter & Co Stadium, giving them an opportunity to advance into the next round on Friday.
Match preview
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Game one was not to be for Charlotte, who were limited to just two efforts on target and failed to find the back of the net for the first time since mid-September.
As a result, Dean Smith's men now face a must-win situation later this week, with the Crown losing their only two playoff games in club history by a combined margin of 7-2.
Down the stretch of the season, the Crown were at their best in the attacking third at home, winning their final three regular-season encounters at Bank of America Stadium and scoring 10 goals over that span.
That said, they were the joint lowest-scoring MLS side to make the playoffs this year (46 goals), failing to score four times at home during the regular season.
The Crown have not lost consecutive MLS encounters since late August-mid-September, when they suffered three successive defeats.
In three matches against Florida clubs this season, Charlotte FC failed to collect a single triumph, but they earned a point on two occasions.
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Heading into the post-season, many were wondering which Orlando City would show up, and on Sunday, it was the one that Oscar Pareja and their supporters were hoping for.
The Lions not only shut down the Charlotte transitional game throughout the 90 minutes, but they looked dangerous themselves going forward.
Despite being a consistent playoff team over the past few seasons, Orlando have not been particularly potent at this time of year, netting multiple goals in a single post-season game on Sunday for the first time in club history.
Now they are on the verge of a second successive trip to the Eastern Conference semi-finals after ousting Nashville SC in the opening round a year ago.
Orlando have won consecutive MLS away matches while scoring three or more goals in three straight league contests as the visitors.
They have points in three of their four visits to Bank of America Stadium, though their only victory in Charlotte occurred in 2022 (2-1).
Team News
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A hip issue meant Jahlane Forbes had to miss Charlotte's first game last weekend, Nikola Petkovic was sidelined with a sore knee, and David Bingham was on the bench after previously injuring his back.
Pep Biel received a straight red card in the latter stages of their match on Sunday and will have to sit out of this must-win contest.
It is unlikely Orlando City will have Mason Stajduhar available for this one as he is dealing with a lower leg injury, while Wilder Cartagena was the only newcomer in the starting 11 who did not begin their final regular-season encounter versus Atlanta United.
Facundo Torres netted the winner against Charlotte just beyond the half-hour mark, his 19th goal across all competitions in 2024, surpassing Cyle Larin for the most in a single season for the Lions, with Martin Ojeda scoring late in the second half.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Ream; Urso, Westwood; Vargas, Bender, Abada; Swiderski
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Martins; Torres, Ojeda, Angulo; McGuire
We say: Charlotte FC 1-0 Orlando City
Charlotte posted nine clean sheets at home during the regular season, and we believe their normally rock-solid backline and strong transitional play at home will allow them to stay alive and force a decisive game three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
