South Charlotte Today

After a busy summer transfer window for the front office and a three-week break for the team, league play resumes this Saturday. Charlotte FC has nine matches left in the regular season to solidify their playoff position and build momentum heading into the postseason.

First up is a New York Red Bulls team that is close to CLTFC in the standings. A win would help The Crown close the gap to fourth place.

Match: Charlotte FC vs New York Red Bulls

When: Saturday, August 24

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

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

Throughout this 2024 season, Head Coach Dean Smith has been praised for taking a relatively thin squad to great heights. The starting lineup became consistent as summer approached, yielding positive results.

However, championship-contending teams require depth. Strong competition for positions can increase training intensity and elevate performance levels.

Following the summer transfer window, Smith’s team now has depth across all positions. He faces some selection decisions ahead of him.

DP Karol Swiderski returns to compete with Patrick Agyemang for the starting striker role. American national team stalwart Tim Ream has arrived to challenge Andrew Privett for the left center-back position.

Pep Biel and Jamie Paterson will provide creativity in attacking midfield, while Idan Toklomati offers long-term competition on the wing as he develops.

Smith addressed this increased competition in his pre-match press conference:

“The training has definitely gone up a notch,” he said. “You can feel that. You can also feel that they're getting into game mode and getting ready. And there's that anxiety amongst them: who's playing, who's not."

“I'll name the team to them tomorrow [Friday] morning, and they can put their minds at rest and get ready for the game against New York Red Bulls, which is going to be a big game for us.”

The team acquired necessary pieces to complete their roster. Now, Smith and his coaching staff aim to use this increased competition to drive daily excellence.

The New York Red Bulls are consistent playoff contenders, qualifying for 14 consecutive seasons. This year they are again solidly in a playoff spot just ahead of CLTFC.

Saturday’s match will be crucial; a win for CLTFC would significantly narrow the gap to fourth place, while a win for New York would create separation in that spot.

Charlotte FC's third season is shaping up as their best yet under Head Coach Dean Smith's leadership. They currently sit in 6th place in the Eastern Conference through 25 of 34 regular-season matches and are chasing down top-four spots which come with first-round home-field advantage.

Recently, they went on an impressive road run defeating Supporter’s Shield contenders FC Cincinnati 3-1, drawing defending champions Columbus Crew 1-1, and then drawing Austin FC 2-2 within eight days.

After an early exit from the Leagues Cup following a penalty shootout victory over Cruz Azul but elimination in the group stage, Charlotte FC enters this stretch reenergized by their extended break and ready to push for playoffs.