Both Charlotte FC and visiting D.C. United will try to rebound from frustrating midweek results and strengthen their playoff position when they meet Saturday evening.
Charlotte (8-7-5, 29 points) surrendered a two-goal lead in the final 13 minutes of a 3-3 draw at 10-man Toronto FC on Wednesday. It marked Charlotte’s second collapse since the World Cup break; it drew 2-2 with Atlanta United in July despite holding a two-goal halftime lead.
Nevertheless, Charlotte enters the weekend sixth in the Eastern Conference as it jockeys for playoff positioning.
“At the moment, they’re mentality monsters,” Charlotte coach Dean Smith said. “Since we’ve come back, we’re on a really good run of form. I think we’ve only conceded 10 goals in the last 10 games, and three of them were from the other night (at Toronto).
“We know we could’ve done better for a couple of the goals. For me, we’re in a good place. The players know we’re in a good place as well, and we want to continue that.”
Smith’s side has lost just one game in its last five home matches (3-1-1) and could keep that good form rolling with another win at Bank of America Stadium. Pep Biel (10 goals) and Idan Toklomati (six) will lead Charlotte’s attack.
D.C. United (5-6-9, 24 points) are also looking to rebound from a negative result. After suffering a 3-0 loss at home to the New England Revolution, D.C. will search for its first win in four games.
D.C. has claimed just one victory, a late win over Toronto in July, in its past nine games and sits on the edge of the playoff bubble, just three points removed from 10th place.
“At the end of the day, we have to play a very good game,” D.C. coach Rene Weiler told the media. “We always have to play a very good game and push boundaries. That is what we’re going to try to do.”
D.C. will have to lean on the attacking output from striker Tai Baribo, who leads the team with 12 goals in 17 league appearances, while Louis Munteanu (five goals) will also need to step up to earn a win Saturday.
–Field Level Media
