Preview:Charlotte FC vs Toronto - prediction, team news, lineups

Charlotte FC can maintain their place in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs with a victory at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday against Toronto.

A narrow 3-2 victory over Atlanta United has the Crown sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference, while Toronto are 12th following a 1-0 loss at Nashville SC.

Match preview

From June to July, we have seen nearly a complete turnaround for Charlotte, who are unbeaten this month after failing to collect a single point domestically the month before that.

They have emerged victorious from their previous three league contests and can set a club record for the longest winning run in the regular season with maximum points on Saturday.

While their playoff destiny is in their hands, there is little room for error as only three points currently separate them from the Chicago Fire, who are on the outside of the post-season picture.

Dean Smith’s men are unbeaten in their last four matches played at Bank of America Stadium and can equal their longest unbeaten run at home in this competition with a win or draw on Saturday.

 Three times in MLS this year, the Crown have conceded the opening goal but gone on to win, with two of those triumphs occurring in front of their home fans.

Charlotte have won three of their last four meetings versus Toronto, including a narrow 3-2 triumph the last time they came to town a year ago.

Close but no cigar was the story once again for the Reds last week as they suffered a seventh defeat domestically in 2025, but just a single goal.

An inability to win close games may be the reason they miss the playoffs for a fifth successive occasion, as they currently find themselves eight points below the New York Red Bulls for that final post-season berth in the East.

That said, three of their five victories this year have taken place away from home, with the Reds conceding just once in those triumphs.

At this stage of the 2025 campaign, Robin Fraser has seen his side drop 10 points in this competition after netting the opening goal, which could mean the difference between them making or missing the playoffs this year.

A victory on Saturday, though, would give them four away wins in the 2025 regular season, equalling their total from the previous domestic campaign.

Toronto’s only victory at Charlotte came in the inaugural MLS season for the latter when TFC claimed a 2-0 triumph in 2022.

Charlotte FC MLS form:

Toronto MLS form:

Team News

Last Saturday, Charlotte were missing Nathan Byrne, who had a neck strain, while a thigh injury kept Liel Abada out of the fold for another match.

Idan Toklomati, Wilfried Zaha and Pep Biel each found the back of the net against the Five Stripes, as they held them off for a third successive league triumph.

On the Reds' side, ankle issues meant Ola Brynhildsen and Deybi Flores were sidelined versus Nashville, while Henry Wingo, Zane Monlouis and Nicksoen Gomis sat out with lower-body injuries.

Raoul Petretta, meanwhile, was unavailable to the team last weekend, with the Italian defender still recovering from a recent head injury.

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:

Kahlina; Tuiloma, Malanda, Ream, Marshall-Rutty; Westwood, Bronico; Vargas, Biel, Zaha; Toklomati

Toronto possible starting lineup:

Johnson; Laryea, Long, Rosted, Franklin; Coello, Osorio; Corbeanu, Dominguez, Spicer; Kerr

We say: Charlotte FC 2-0 Toronto

Heading into this match, Charlotte seem to have finally found their form, while the Reds are struggling to score, with a goal or fewer in all of their matches played this month.

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