Charlotte FC can win an MLS Cup playoff round for the first time in club history when they travel to Inter & Co Stadium on Saturday to face Orlando City.
Game two of this best-of-three series went the way of the Crown 3-1 on penalties in a match which ended in a 0-0 draw, evening that series at 1-1.
Match preview
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We saw another solid defensive outing from Orlando City in game two, but they could not hold their nerve from the spot, setting up this win-or-go-home showdown.
The Lions are unbeaten in their last five MLS playoff contests in normal time and have not lost a post-season home fixture since 2020 (3-1 versus the New England Revolution).
Oscar Pareja's men have suffered just one defeat in their last six MLS encounters, losing 2-1 at home to Atlanta United on Decision Day.
Orlando City have posted five successive post-season clean sheets in normal time and have not conceded an opening half goal in their last six playoff fixtures.
Since losing 3-1 to Nashville SC in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, the Lions have won three straight post-season games when scoring the opening goal.
Only once since June have Orlando City lost an MLS affair when netting multiple times, suffering a 4-3 defeat versus the Columbus Crew in September.
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Facing a must-win situation last Friday, the Crown managed to keep their season alive, collecting their first playoff victory in club history.
On Saturday, they can win an away fixture in the post-season for the first time, having lost their only two road playoff contests by a combined margin of 7-2.
Dean Smith's men have suffered just one defeat in their previous seven MLS encounters, posting a clean sheet in three of their last four games.
The Crown have only claimed one victory in their previous seven domestic away games, defeating DC United earlier this month 3-0.
Charlotte FC have not lost an MLS match when drawing first blood since New York City FC beat them 2-1 at Yankee Stadium in late April.
They have not won a domestic encounter in Florida this year, losing their last two visits to Inter & Co Stadium by a 2-0 score.
Team News
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On Friday, the Lions were missing Mason Stajduhar due to a lower leg injury, while Martin Ojeda made his 50th appearance for the club across all competitions.
Pedro Gallese has yet to concede a goal in the 2024 post-season but could not make a stop in the shootout, while his teammates Nicolas Lodeiro, Robin Jansson and Duncan McGuire all misfired from 12 yards away.
In game two, Charlotte did not have Jahlane Forbes at their disposal because of a sore hip, while Nikola Petkovic was sidelined with a knee injury and Pep Biel sat out due to a red card suspension and is eligible to return for this match.
Kristijan Kahlina was the hero in game two, collecting the first-ever post-season clean sheet for the Crown and stopping two penalties, while Patrick Agyemang, Karol Swiderski and Ashley Westwood converted their spot kicks to force a third game.
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Cartagena; Torres, Muriel, Angulo; Enrique
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Ream; Westwood, Diani; Vargas, Biel, Swiderski; Agyemang
We say: Orlando City 0-0 Charlotte FC (Charlotte FC advance on penalties)
This match could go either way, with difference makers in goal on both sides; however, Kahlina may have a psychological edge after his shootout performance in game two.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
