By Billy McGee
October 24, 2024
After a 3-0 win over D.C. United on Decision Day, Charlotte FC finished the MLS regular season as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. For the first time they’ll play in a best-of-three series in the MLS playoffs, taking on Orlando City SC. The series will kick off in Orlando on Sunday at Inter&Co Stadium with the second match in Charlotte, which will be the first home playoff game in the club’s history.
Charlotte and Orlando have played each other seven times previous, including twice this season. Orlando has the advantage in the series with a 3-2-2 record. The two regular season matches between the teams this year saw a 2-2 draw in Charlotte and a 2-0 win for Orlando at home.
Since the loss on the road to Orlando in September, Charlotte has won four of their last five, also earning a point against Inter Miami on the road. The Crown’s attack has been stellar, scoring 14 goals in the final five regular season matches with a front three that has primarily consisted of Liel Abada, Karol Świderski and Pep Biel. This season, Brandt Bronico, traditionally a defensive midfielder, has been in an advanced midfield role, allowing him to be more involved in the attack, contributing four assists in the past five matches. Over the same five-game stretch, Charlotte’s defense led by goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (who was named a finalist for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year), has allowed just four goals and kept three clean sheets after Andrew Privett was reinserted at center back and Tim Ream shifted to left back.
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Orlando has also been in great form heading into the playoffs with a 10-3-1 record since the beginning of July, including the 2-0 win at home over Charlotte in September. Over those 14 matches, Orlando has scored at least one goal in all but one game, outscoring their opponents 34-15 with Facundo Torres scoring nine of his 14 goals during this stretch, and Argentinian striker Ramiro Enrique scoring all eight of his goals.
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In the most recent matchup against Charlotte, Orlando dominated every aspect of the game, having the edge in possession, shots, shots on target, and corner kicks. Torres and Duncan McGuire scored the two goals for Orlando as the defense kept a clean sheet against a struggling Charlotte attack. It was one of the worst performances of the season for The Crown, managing just four total shots, only two of which were on goal.
The Round One MLS playoff series between Charlotte FC and Orlando City SC will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 27 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The match will be available to watch on Apple TV and FS1. Charlotte FC will also host a watch party for fans at Brewers at 4001 Yancey (must RSVP). There will be a pop-up team store with playoff specific merchandise, photo booths, giveaways, an appearance by Sir Minty, and music by DJ Fannie Mae.
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