Charlotte FC reaches the finale of their three-game road trip, facing D.C. United with a chance to return to the Queen City unscathed and with their unbeaten streak intact.
Kickoff from Audi Field is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, and fans can watch the game on Apple TV.
Let’s look at the Materials of the Match presented by Rubbermaid to see how Charlotte FC can keep making progress toward clinching a spot in the MLS Playoffs.
Last Time Out
Charlotte FC drew 3-3 with FC Cincinnati on September 12 at TQL Field in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati and Charlotte traded goals in the first 10 minutes, with the team’s scoring in the second and seventh minutes, respectively. Liel Abada was left in front of goal thanks to an Allan Saint-Maximin lofted pass and chipped it past the keeper. Pep Biel won a penalty and converted the shot in the 17th minute, giving The Crown an early 2-1 lead.
FC Cincinnati’s Kévin Denkey scored on a deflection in the 51st minute, equalizing the match at two. The Crown pulled back out, taking the lead for the second time against Cincinnati via an Idan Toklomati header four minutes later.
Just as it seemed Charlotte had three points secured, Denkey notched his brace and tied the game in the 90+1’ mark, leaving each team with a point.
Westwood and Schnegg Return
Captain Ashley Westwood and David Schnegg will return to match action for Charlotte FC after both missed the game against FC Cincinnati due to yellow card accumulation, while Westwood also missed the game versus CF Montreal.
Schnegg was in good form before picking up the yellow card that suspended him for the Cincinnati match. He has notched two goals and six assists this season, including a goal and two assists in the last six games. His lone goal in that span came against D.C. United on August 22, Charlotte FC’s upcoming opponent and also the team that waived him in January.
For Westwood, it’s a return to the field following a double yellow against the Houston Dynamo on September 5. Westwood was suspended not only for a match for exceeding the yellow-card accumulation limit but also for an additional match after picking up a red card.
Charlotte FC’s captain has eight assists this season, the highest total in his four seasons with the Club. He racked up two assists for The Crown in a 3-3 draw against Toronto FC on August 19.
“(Westwood’s) really missed it,” Dean Smith said. “He's energetic, he's enthusiastic. He was the one you could probably hear the most in training, and he's itching to get back, and it's good now that he comes through and into the squad ready to play against D.C.”
The Crown Coming Alive
Charlotte FC has gone unbeaten in the last seven matches, grabbing 15 points with a 4-0-3 mark. The Crown are fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, sitting three points behind third-place New England and a point ahead of fifth-place Chicago, who have a game in hand on Charlotte.
"Every one of us has been in enough situations over his career where you feel sometimes a little more pressure," Schnegg said. "At the end of the day, every game is three points I think you tell yourself and just do your best every week. That's all you can do and then at the end of the day, we'll see if it's enough or not."
Charlotte FC have outscored opponents 16-9 during their unbeaten streak, including Abada and Toklomati both scoring four goals during the seven-match span. Summer window arrival Maxi has showcased his passing abilities in his time with the Club, picking up five assists in the last four games. Biel has been a dual threat on the field, scoring three goals and assisting on three goals.
Scouting D.C. United
D.C. United has done one thing well since the MLS schedule resumed following the World Cup – draw matches. Five of their eight games since returning to the field have ended in draws, including two of their last three games being 0-0 draws.
One of D.C. United’s eight games since the World Cup break ended was against Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium. D.C. United struck first in the 55th minute but three consecutive Charlotte goals in 13 minutes, including Will Cleary’s first career goal, helped The Crown win 3-1.
United’s lack of goalscoring has been a season-long trend as they sport the league’s fourth-worst offense, scoring 30 goals.
Tai Baribo has been a bright spot for D.C. United in the scoring department, leading the team with 14 goals and is just one of two players on United with more than three goals. Baribo had a five-match goal streak from May 23 to August 15 and also scored both of D.C. United’s goals in their 2-1 win against the Columbus Crew on September 9, going into Saturday’s match with seven goals in nine games.
Like Denkey with FC Cincinnati, Baribo will be a player that Charlotte FC needs to look out for at all times.
“(Tai) Beribo was on the bench (in the last match), he's a handful,” Smith said. “They're very organized, don't concede too many goals defensively and unbeaten in the last couple of games as well. They're the home team as well, they’ve got to come onto us. I think if we're organized and make good decisions, then it’s going to be hard to stop us. ”
NEXT AT HOME
SEPTEMBER 26 @ 7:30 PM // POR LA CULTURA NIGHT
Join Charlotte FC on Saturday, September 26, for Por La Cultura Night to celebrate culture, community, and The Crown. The first fans to arrive will receive a limited-edition Giveaway presented by Compare Foods.
Limited quantities are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis and aren't guaranteed.
