Charlotte FC can claim their first home victory of the new Major League Soccer season when they host the Columbus Crew on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium.
The Crown were minutes away from winning for the first time in the Tar Heel State this year, only to concede in injury time and draw the Colorado Rapids 2-2, while Columbus equalised in the latter stages of their previous match, playing to a 1-1 tie with the New England Revolution.
Match preview
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Eight matches into their sophomore campaign and Charlotte find themselves second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference, having missed another opportunity to move up the table last weekend.
It would not be the first time in this young season that we have said that, as Christian Lattanzio has seen his team lose twice in 2023 when scoring first, squandering eight points after going up 1-0.
Not only have they missed numerous chances presented to them, but they have failed to capitalise on their massive home advantage, drawing crowds of over 30,000 to 60,000 fans for all of their matches played at Bank of America Stadium this season, yet only claiming two points.
They have had the ball over 50% of the time in all but one game this year, but when out of possession, Charlotte have struggled, tied with Real Salt Lake for the second-most goals conceded (16).
In two previous meetings versus Columbus, the Crown have managed to salvage points from losing positions, drawing them 1-1 in their first encounter and erasing a two-goal deficit last October, ultimately playing to a 2-2 tie.
Their current four-game winless slide is the longest in club history, and should they fail to earn three points this weekend, it would be the longest consecutive run without a victory for Charlotte on home soil.
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Columbus went to great lengths to acquire Wilfried Nancy as their new coach, offering the Frenchman a significant salary boost while having to compensate CF Montreal with a transfer fee.
For the moment, that gamble has paid off, with the Crew currently on a four-match unbeaten run, sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference, trailing the New England Revolution for first by a mere three points.
On Saturday, they showed tremendous character against the Revs, levelling the match in the 98th minute, as they kept plugging away, firing seven efforts on target, before finding a breakthrough.
Under Nancy, the Crew have looked like an offensive juggernaut, scoring 18 goals, the second-most in MLS behind St Louis City (20), and as many goals as they managed in their final 12 matches of 2022.
At Montreal, Nancy was renowned for developing talent and turning that group into a dangerous all-around offensive unit, and he has managed to do the same so far in Columbus, with 10 different players on the scoresheet this year and another nine with at least one assist.
After conceding four times in their opener at the Philadelphia Union, the Crew have settled down defensively, conceding a goal or fewer in six of their last seven games, posting a clean sheet on the road for the first time two weeks ago (2-0 win over DC United).
Team News
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Kristijan Kahlina is questionable for Charlotte after previously undergoing back surgery, Ashley Westwood will be a doubt because of a right thigh injury and Guzman Corujo remains out following surgery on his right knee.
Kamil Jozwiak and Kerwin Vargas each found the back of the net in their draw against the Burgundy Boys, putting them in a three-way tie for the team lead alongside Enzo Copetti, who is one caution away from a suspension.
In this exact fixture last year, former striker Daniel Rios and current centre-forward Andre Shinyashiki scored in the second half to help them draw Columbus.
Eloy Room missed the previous match for the Crew with a knee issue, as did Kevin Molino and Cucho Hernandez, Luis Diaz is dealing with back spasms and Josh Williams might have to sit this one out because of an ankle sprain.
Sean Zawadzki scored his first of the season for Columbus deep into stoppage time last week after Milos Degenek had put his team behind with an own-goal before the hour mark, while backup keeper Patrick Schulte kept them in the game, stopping seven of the eight shots that he faced.
Lucas Zelarayan has a goal in two of his last three games, as he and Christian Ramirez found the back of the net in their previous road outing versus DC United.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Marks; Afful, Malanda, Tuiloma, Lindsey; Jozwiak, Bronico, Bender; Swiderski, Copetti, Vargas
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Degenek, Vallecilla; Farsi, Morris, Nagbe, Sands; Yeboah, Zelarayan; Ramirez
We say: Charlotte FC 1-1 Columbus Crew
The Crown might be playing Columbus at a good time, as the Crew could be without some vital pieces, which should benefit Charlotte this weekend.
While Columbus seem to be buying into the Nancy style of play, they have not been quite as potent on the road, scoring just once in three of four outings, while seven of their nine goals conceded have come away from home.
How to watch
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Joel Lefevre
