By Billy McGee
September 25, 2026
Photo: Charlotte FC
Charlotte FC will return home to take on Chicago Fire FC in what could be a pivotal match with playoff implications following a three-game road stretch that extended its unbeaten streak to eight. Charlotte has won five during the eight-game run, climbing into fourth place in the MLS Eastern Conference and moving within three points of New England and Miami. It’s now back-to-back seasons that Charlotte FC has caught fire late in the season after going 8-2-0 in their final 10 MLS regular-season games last year.
Over the last eight games, the Crown have seen several notable bright spots, particularly in the attack. Recent signing Allan Saint-Maximin has made an immediate impact since joining the lineup at the start of the streak, scoring one goal and adding five assists in eight league matches. DP winger Liel Abada has also found his form, scoring four goals during the streak while operating on the wing opposite Maxi. Pep Biel has been another key contributor, scoring three goals and adding three assists during the streak while becoming Charlotte FC’s all-time leader in goal contributions, surpassing the record previously held by Karol Świderski. Biel is also tied with Świderski for the most goals in a single MLS regular season in club history with 12.
With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the matchup could have playoff-seeding implications, with Chicago sitting just four points behind Charlotte in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The reverse fixture took place in early August, just before the start of the Leagues Cup, with Chicago coming away with a 2-1 victory behind a brace from Robert Lewandowski. Biel scored Charlotte’s lone goal on the club’s only shot on target of the match.
On Saturday, both teams will be short-handed as several key players have been called up for international duty. The Crown will be without forwards Idan Toklomati and Liel Abada, as well as Rodolfo Aloko, leaving Charlotte with just three forwards available. With limited options in attack, head coach Dean Smith will have some decisions to make, including whether to move Pep Biel out wide to the right wing, as he has done previously, or turn to Tyger Smalls in the position.
“It wasn’t so long ago we were playing Leagues Cup games and we put Tyger in, and Tyger did well,” said Smith. “He’s impressed us in training. Probably his level of fitness is up there where he could start a game in the MLS at the moment.”
On the other side, Chicago will be without forwards Robert Lewandowski and Puso Dithejane, midfielder Robin Lod and goalkeeper Chris Brady, all away on international duty.
Even with key players missing, Charlotte has the pieces to pick up three very important points. Biel and Maxi should provide enough firepower to drive the attack, with Archie Goodwin potentially slotting in as the starting striker, a role he has filled three times this season. The trio should provide enough quality to put pressure on a second-choice goalkeeper and give Charlotte a chance to earn all three points at home.
“Everyone at the moment in the attacking third is in form,” Goodwin said during his media availability. “There’s a lot of confidence going forward and finishing off the opportunities that we do get.”
Defensively, the Crown should have a much easier task than in their last meeting with Chicago, as they won’t have to contend with Lewandowski, who has scored three goals in his last five matches and six in 11 MLS appearances this season. Even against a weakened Chicago attack, however, Charlotte’s defense will need to do a better job of limiting chances after allowing 29 shots against FC Cincinnati, while D.C. United finished with 31 shots last week.
“We have given too many shots away in our last few games,” said Smith. “On the whole, we do defend our 18-yard-box very well, but we’ve turned the ball over too much.”
The match is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, September 26 at The Bank and it will also be Por La Cultura Night, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Fans are invited to arrive early for a pre-match party featuring a local vendor marketplace, live entertainment, food trucks and lucha libre wrestling. The first fans to arrive will also receive a limited-edition giveaway from Compare Foods.
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