Charlotte FC head into their final MLS home fixture this season needing a result to maintain their playoff chances when they host the Columbus Crew on Wednesday at Bank of America Stadium.
The Crown pulled off a massive 4-0 upset over the weekend against the Philadelphia Union, but they still trail Inter Miami by four points for that final postseason position, while the Crew moved into a three-way tie for that last spot thanks to a 2-1 triumph over the New York Red Bulls.
Match preview
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There is still life in Charlotte, as the newest MLS team put together their biggest victory in franchise history on Saturday against the top team in the Eastern Conference.
As a result, they are now on their longest winning streak in club history (three games), but even a third straight victory at Bank of America Stadium in midweek might not be enough to keep their season alive heading into Decision Day, as only a win or draw by Orlando City against the Herons will keep them in the playoff hunt.
During their inaugural campaign, Christian Lattanzio's men have utilised home field to their advantage, with 10 of its 13 victories this year coming in North Carolina, seven of which were clean sheets.
Their interim boss has witnessed some high-quality play from a pair of individuals who have elevated their game over their current run, with six of the last seven Charlotte goals coming from two players.
The seven goals that they scored in their previous two matches is as many as they managed to tally in their seven games combined before that.
So far in their inaugural MLS campaign, Charlotte have only managed to earn four points when trailing at the interval.
One of those points came when the Crown came back to draw Columbus (1-1) in their first-ever meeting against them in June, while they came away with three points in their previous road fixture, despite falling behind 2-0 at the half against the Chicago Fire.
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After failing to maintain a pair of second-half advantages last month, the Crew redeemed themselves at the start of October, scoring twice in the latter stages to defeat the New York Red Bulls last weekend.
That triumph was the first time in the club's MLS history that they won a match when trailing entering the 89th minute, and it put them even on points (45) with Orlando City and Inter Miami, who will face each on Wednesday.
Despite being behind the playoff line right now, the Crew's destiny is in their hands as Caleb Porter's men trail FC Cincinnati for fifth by a single point, with a game in hand on their state rivals from Ohio, so winning their final two games would clinch a postseason berth.
Their final two regular season encounters will take place on the road, where the Crew are winless in five consecutive fixtures.
Although they have only captured three wins away from home in 2022, the Crew have let a few potential victories on the road slip through their grasp, dropping six points when leading in the second half this year as the visitors.
If this team cannot climb into a top seven position, it would be the first time that Columbus had failed to qualify for the postseason in back-to-back domestic campaigns since failing to do so in 2012 and 2013.
Team News
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Daniel Rios notched all four goals for Charlotte last weekend against the Union, becoming the first player in MLS history to tally that many in one match for an expansion team, Kamil Jozwiak had two assists, while McKinze Gaines picked up one.
Pablo Sisniega only had to make one stop in his first start career start for the Crown in place of Kristijan Kahlina, as he collected the shutout versus Philly, while Karol Swiderski had a brace at the start of this homestand, with the other tally coming courtesy of Nuno Santos against the Fire.
Christian Fuchs will be suspended for this encounter following his red card versus New York City FC, Guzman Corujo and Adam Armour are out after undergoing right and left knee surgeries respectively, while Vinicius Mello continues to recover from a procedure done on his left foot.
A brace from Derrick Etienne in the dying stages of their match on Saturday enabled Columbus to win their final home fixture of the regular season, moving him one behind Cucho Hernandez and Lucas Zelarayan for the team lead, while Mohamed Farsi picked up his first assist of the campaign on that equalising goal.
Erik Hurtado notched the only Columbus strike in their 1-1 draw versus Charlotte earlier this season, Luis Diaz and Zelarayan currently lead the Crew in assists (six), while Pedro Santos, Steven Moreira and Etienne are tied for second (five).
Hernandez is eligible to return from his suspension, Jonathan is nursing a left thigh injury and Kevin Molino has started in the midfield for Columbus in each of their previous three fixtures.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Sisniega; Byrne, Malanda, Walkes, Afful; Jones, Bronico; N. Santos, Swiderski, Jozwiak; Rios
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Room; Moreira, Degenek, Williams, P. Santos; Artur, Nagbe; Diaz, Zelarayan, Eitenne; Hernandez
We say: Charlotte FC 2-1 Columbus Crew
A stadium which can seat close to 75,000 people has been a massive advantage for Charlotte in their inaugural campaign, and we believe those fans will make life difficult for the visitors on Wednesday.
Throughout the year, Columbus have struggled to maintain leads, and the home side should have a slight edge when it comes to momentum heading into this fixture, as well as showing poise and control on the back end at home in 2022.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
