Charlotte FC are seeking to make it five consecutive games unbeaten at home across all competitions when they welcome New York City FC to the Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
The hosts are currently 14th in the Eastern Conference, picking up nine points from 10 games, while their opponents are in fifth place, amassing 15 points from the same number of games played.
Match preview
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Charlotte were denied a third win on the bounce by Wayne Rooney's DC United last weekend, after goals from Taxiarchis Fountas, Christian Benteke and Jacob Greene handed the Crown their fifth defeat of the season.
Prior to that, Christian Lattanzio's side had enjoyed a decent patch of form, battling past Columbus Crew in a 1-0 victory that, at the time, moved the up to 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings and two points adrift of the final playoff place.
That victory was followed by with a resounding 4-1 triumph against Tormenta FC in the sides' cup encounter last Wednesday night.
Goals from Kamil Jozwiak, Enzo Copetti and Derrick Jones put Lattanzio's men in the driving seat before Matheus Cassini pulled one back six minutes from time, after which Karol Swiderski put the final nail in the coffin.
The Crown have picked up five points from as many games in front of their home fans this season – the fifth-worst record in the league - but they have not tasted defeat at home since their 3-0 loss to Atlanta United on March 11.
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As for the visitors, NYCFC will enter this match fresh off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Toronto FC, after making the short trip up north to BMO Field last weekend.
A debut strike from CJ Sapong was the difference between the two sides, and the result leaves New York in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, six points adrift of the New England Revolution at the top.
Prior to that defeat, the Boys in Blue were on a four-game unbeaten run that started with a 1-1 draw with New England, before another stalemate against Atlanta United that manager Nick Cushing called a "missed opportunity".
However, NYCFC then recorded back-to-back home victories over Nashville SC (2-1) and FC Dallas (3-1), but Cushing's side are still yet to win on the road this campaign, which is something they will be aiming to put right come Sunday.
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Team News
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Kamil Jozwiak missed the contest with DC United after he was substituted with an injury scare in the cup clash against Tormenta FC, so Sunday's match could come too soon for the 25-year-old.
Guzman Corujo is a guaranteed absentee for this one as he continues to nurse a long-term knee problem which has seen him fail to feature for the hosts this season.
As for the visitors, Cushing made two changes to the side against Toronto from the one that triumphed 3-1 against FC Dallas, as Matias Pellegrini and Kevin O'Toole were restored to the starting XI in place of Braian Cufre and Gabriel Pereira.
Cushing may opt to shuffle the pack again here, but Santiago Rodriguez looks set to retain his place up top, after starting the past two matches for the Boys in Blue.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Jones, Afful; Westwood, Bronco; Swiderski; Vargas, Gaines; Copetti
New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Barraza; Ilenic, Martins, Chanot, O'Toole; Ledezma, Sands, Parks; Pellegrini, Rodriguez, Magno
We say: Charlotte FC 1-1 New York City FC
Charlotte looked to have turned a corner in recent weeks, especially at home, so we think they will hold their own here against a New York City side that have struggled on the road all season.
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