Charlotte FC is set to face Orlando City SC in a midweek Major League Soccer (MLS) match on Wednesday night. This game marks their first encounter since last season’s playoff, where Orlando advanced after a penalty shootout. Both teams are vying for position in the Eastern Conference playoff race, with Orlando currently enjoying a ten-match unbeaten streak and Charlotte looking to recover from recent setbacks.
The match will take place at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV or listen to it on WFNZ 92.7 FM in English and WOLS 106.1 FM in Spanish.
Charlotte FC arrives in Orlando following three consecutive losses but remains sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with 19 points. Despite controlling play and creating opportunities, Charlotte has struggled to convert these chances into victories.
This match represents the seventh regular-season meeting between the two teams. Orlando leads the series with a record of 3-1-2. Charlotte’s sole victory came in March 2023 when Kerwin Vargas scored the winning goal.
Dean Smith emphasized the importance of decision-making during his press conference, stating, “You’ve got to find the balance in the game… that’s the key decision making we are working on as a team.”
Orlando City’s Martín Ojeda enters this matchup after scoring his first career MLS hat trick against New England Revolution. Ojeda is tied for second place in MLS with seven goals and over ten total goal contributions this season.
On Charlotte’s side, winger Liel Abada has scored goals in three consecutive matches and four of their last five games. With 11 career MLS goals, Abada is tied for third on Charlotte’s all-time scoring list.
Orlando City boasts an impressive home record at Inter&Co Stadium, remaining unbeaten in their last five home matches while scoring 14 goals during that period. Their recent draw against New England extended their overall unbeaten run to ten matches across all competitions.
