A pair of MLS sides chasing different goals at the moment will square off on Saturday as the Philadelphia Union visit Bank of America Stadium for the first time to face Charlotte FC.
With two matches remaining, the Union are even with Los Angeles FC in the race for the Supporters' Shield, while the Crown are still in the playoff hunt, trailing Inter Miami by seven points with three matches still to play.
Match preview
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In a campaign with zero expectations, Charlotte have been able to remain in the postseason conversation despite their share of setbacks off the field along the way.
Before the international break, this team managed to do something which they had not done all year, win when facing a second-half deficit, defeating the Chicago Fire 3-2 after falling behind 2-0.
Christian Lattanzio came into a tricky situation when he replaced the controversial Miguel Angel Ramirez, but he has kept his players' spirits up while also maintaining fairly consistent form, with his longest losing streak since taking over being just three games.
Winning their last three games this season might not be enough to get them above the playoff line, but it would give them 47 points, which would be the third-best total for an MLS expansion team in the past 12 years, behind only the 2018 edition of LAFC (57) and the Atlanta United team from 2017 (55).
Two of their final three games will take place at Bank of America Stadium, where nine of their 12 wins this year have come, which is tied for the second-most home triumphs in the Eastern Conference this season.
Charlotte are the third-lowest scoring team in the East, failing to tally in 10 matches this season, including falling 2-0 at Philly in their only other meeting against them in April.
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Jim Curtin and the Union checked another box on their list of goals to achieve this season, drawing Atlanta United 0-0 before the international window, extending the club's unbeaten run to six consecutive games and securing a spot in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League (CCL).
With two matches remaining, the Union are in the thick of the Supporters' Shield race, currently tied with LAFC on points (64) but sitting behind them because they have three fewer wins.
In Atlanta, their firepower was contained, as they failed to register a shot on target and were shut out for the first time since August 17.
Before that 0-0 draw, the Boys in Blue had outscored their previous five opponents 23-2, and they currently lead the league in goals (68).
Their lopsided victories this year have been a revelation for a team who many believed would struggle to find the back of the net without an established number nine heading into the season by the estimation of numerous pundits.
What we have learned is that the Union might have several individuals who are capable of filling that number nine role, as three players are in double-digits for goals with Philly this season, but this team still possess a formidable backline as well, conceding a mere 22 tallies thus far, the fewest of any team at this stage of an MLS campaign.
Team News
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Fresh off a brace in his last domestic match versus the Fire, Charlotte striker Karol Swiderski was at it again in the UEFA Nations League as he buried a nice setup from Robert Lewandowski, helping Poland defeat Wales 1-0 and avoid relegation.
Nuno Santos tallied his first for the Crown in their last MLS affair, while Adilson Malanda picked up his first assist of the season and McKinze Gaines collected assist number three, moving him into third on the team, three behind Ben Bender.
Christian Fuchs will miss a further two matches for his violent red card in their home victory versus New York City FC (1-0), and Kamil Jozwiak is questionable due to a problem in his right thigh.
Guzman Corujo is out after he previously underwent right knee surgery, while Adam Armour and Vinicius Mello have both undergone left knee surgery and will not be ready to play.
Andre Blake picked up his 14th clean sheet of the year in their draw versus Atlanta, moving into a tie for first in the league with NYCFC's Sean Johnson, while Jack McGlynn earned his 40th appearance for Philly in that match.
Nathan Harriel headed home a Kai Wagner free kick last weekend, the only tally in their 1-0 win over Liga MX side Pachuca in a friendly, while Daniel Gazdag had his five-match domestic goalscoring streak halted against the Five Stripes, though he still leads the team with 19, five more than Julian Carranza, with Mikael Uhre in third, tallying 12 times.
Curtin made one change to his starting 11 against the Five Stripes from their previous encounter, as Jack McGlynn replaced Alejandro Bedoya in the midfield.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Afful, Walkes, Malanda, Byrne; Bronico, Jones, Bender; Swiderski; Shinyashiki, Gaines
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Wagner, Elliott, Glesnes, Mbaizo; Flach, Martinez, Bedoya; Gazdag; Uhre, Carranza
We say: Charlotte FC 1-2 Philadelphia Union
Charlotte will be a desperate team heading into this encounter as one more defeat would eliminate them from playoff contention, but the Union have plenty to play for as well, including the fact that a victory would guarantee they finish on top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Look for the home side to put a lot of effort into shutting down this dangerous Union attack, but the problem for Charlotte is that there are too many lethal finishers for them to track, while Philly can defend with the very best in MLS.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
