Charlotte FC’s Stock Up, Stock Down: The road woes return as Charlotte FC falls 4-1 to last-place Orlando City

By Billy McGee - @iambillymcgee

Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90

With their first MLS midweek matchup of the season, Charlotte FC came into the matchup against the bottom-ranked Orlando City SC expecting a win after leaving New York City victorious over the weekend. Instead, they had one of their worst performances of the season, conceding three second-half goals and allowing Orlando to get their second win of 2026.

Here’s a look at our stock up, stock down from Charlotte FC’s disappointing loss on the road:

Stock Up

Pep Biel - Biel showed why he is one of the best midfielders in Major League Soccer, finding Morrison for a headed goal on a free kick from outside the right channel of the penalty area. The set-piece gave him an assist in each of the previous two matches. Biel continues to be one of the few consistent bright spots in a spotty Charlotte attack that has a tendency to go quiet, being held to one goal or less five times in just nine MLS games so far this season.

Rodolfo Aloko - While Aloko did not have the best game, he did get the nod to start at right wing for the second straight game on short rest. Including the U.S. Open Cup match against Charlotte Independence, Aloko has now started three consecutive games for Charlotte FC. There is no shortage of options for Dean Smith to select on the right side, so Aloko getting the start bodes well for his immediate future on the team.

Stock Down

Kristijan Kahlina - Just days removed from a performance against New York City FC that earned him a spot on the Team of the Matchday, Kristijan Kahlina looked like an entirely different player against Orlando. He faced 1.82 xGOT while allowing four goals to get past him, resulting in -2.18 goals prevented. He made just two saves and got beaten at the near post on a free kick for Orlando’s third goal of the match.

Road Form - Things looked like they could have been on the up-and-up for Charlotte FC on the road after a good second half helped them pick up their first road win of the season against NYCFC, but after going into halftime against Orlando tied 1-1, the wheels fell off for Charlotte. They conceded three goals in the second half, the second time this season they have given up that many goals in a single half on the road, having also done so in the first half against LA Galaxy in match week two. Nine of Charlotte’s 14 goals allowed on the season have come on the road, despite having played just four games away from home so far. The loss gives them a 1-1-2 record as visitors this season, and they appear to be well on their way to having another season of lackluster results when playing away from Bank of America Stadium.