Match Preview: Charlotte FC at Houston Dynamo FC

June 28, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release

Charlotte FC is back on the road this weekend for a cross-conference match against Houston Dynamo FC. Last week, the team collected 10 out of a possible 12 points from a three-match week to vault themselves to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Now, Head Coach’s Dean Smith will look for another away victory to keep climbing the table.

Match: Charlotte FC at Houston Dynamo FC

When: Saturday, June 29

Where: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX

Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: 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:

Philadelphia Union 0 – 2 Charlotte FC (Major League Soccer | June 22)

D.C. United 1 – 4 Houston Dynamo FC (Major League Soccer | June 22)

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

1. Inter Miami CF – 41 points, 20 GP

2. FC Cincinnati – 39 points, 19 GP

3. New York Red Bulls – 34 points, 20 GP

4. Charlotte FC – 32 points, 20 GP

5. Columbus Crew – 30 points, 17 GP

6. New York City FC – 29 points, 19 GP

7. Nashville SC – 26 points, 19 GP

8. Toronto FC – 24 points, 20 GP

9. Atlanta United – 21 points, 19 GP

———- Playoff Line ———-

Away Form Momentum

In Major League Soccer, the common wisdom has always been that away points are harder to come by in this league compared to other leagues. The numbers line up with that belief, as MLS teams earn less points on average away from home than in the top five European leagues.

However, Head Coach Dean Smith – halfway through his first season in the States – thinks this away disadvantage isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In press conferences, he has consistently spoken about how the team’s mentality around away matches needs to change, and that he doesn’t believe the travel has as big of an impact as others believe.

The biggest difference, in his opinion, has been that there are not thousands of away fans traveling to support the team for momentum swings (due to the extensive travel and money it takes for away fans). Other than that, he doesn’t believe in the excuses.

Still, Charlotte FC had a rough start to the year on the road with zero wins, four losses, and one draw. The “difficult away games” narrative came up consistently in press conferences.

However, recently the team has turned around their away form. Three wins from their last four matches away from Bank of America…