Match Preview: Charlotte FC at Philadelphia Union

June 21, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release

Charlotte FC will wrap up a stretch of three matches in eight days in Philadelphia this Saturday. A win over D.C. and a draw with ten men against Orlando have put The Crown comfortably in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Now back on the road, CLTFC will look for a strong finish to a tough stretch of matches.

Match: Charlotte FC at Philadelphia Union

When: Saturday, June 22

Where: Subaru Park

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

Watch: Away Match Watch Party at Caswell Station; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV – How to Watch & Listen

Listen: WFNZ 92.7 FM (English) & WOLS 106.1 FM (Spanish)

For all other radio station affiliates in the Carolinas, click here.

Previous Matches:

Charlotte FC 2 – 2 Orlando City SC (Major League Soccer | June 19)

FC Cincinnati 4 – 3 Philadelphia Union (Major League Soccer | June 19)

Eastern Conference Table: For the full live table, click here.

5. Charlotte FC – 29 points, 19 GP

6. Columbus Crew – 27 points, 16 GP

7. Toronto FC – 24 points, 19 GP

8. Nashville SC – 23 points, 18 GP

9. Atlanta United – 20 points, 18 GP

———- Playoff Line ———-

10. Philadelphia Union – 20 points, 18 GP

Hard-Working Identity

This week’s three-games-in-eight-days stretch has demonstrated Charlotte FC’s identity under Head Coach Dean Smith. A gritty 1-0 win over D.C. United, followed by a gutsy draw down a man for more than 50 minutes against Orlando City (the longest amount of time a team has gone down a man and not lost the game in more than two years in MLS), was indicative of how this team can get results.

“I think we’re humble enough to know that we have to work extremely hard to be a successful side,” said Smith in this week’s pre-match press conference. “And we’re quite happy and comfortable to go and do that.”

A league-leading eight clean sheets and winning by just one goal in six of the team’s eight wins are evidence of that approach.

This weekend, quite simply, is another chance to prove that identity. After two very difficult matches at home, Smith and his players have to travel up to Philadelphia on short rest after playing down a man for an extended period.

Some rotation may be up Smith’s sleeve, but the bottom line will always be the hard-working identity. If the team can show up at Subaru Park with that same energy and grittiness, they’ll put themselves in a good position to bring home points.

The Opponent

Charlotte FC just played the Philadelphia Union at home on May 25, so the reverse…