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Major League Soccer
Apr 23, 2023 at 12.30am UK
Bank of America Stadium
CC

Charlotte FC
1 - 0
Columbus Crew

Swiderski (37')
Jones (45+4')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Yeboah (75')

Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between Charlotte FC and Columbus Crew, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

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

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.

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).

Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:

Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:


Team News

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

You can watch Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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Premier League Table

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721
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