Nine out of 14 remaining Charlotte FC Games are at home: Do they have what it takes to turn the season around?

By Sam Vanolinda

Photo Courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90

Charlotte FC has always been a club that thrives in the comforts of home. This year, it is more apparent than ever. They are 2-1-9 away this year, and 6-0-2 at home.

Home means happier, more rested players, and the energy from the passionate Bank of America Stadium crowd. It makes sense why it helps the Charlotte FC squad so much.

Recently, the Bank of America stadium has been occupied by the Club World Cup, which has led to a devastating run of road games, sinking Charlotte FC into 10th place.

Luckily for The Crown, nine of the remaining 14 games are at home. They have a chance to turn this season around in front of the home crowd.

Let’s take a look at the remaining MLS schedule:

Orlando City (Home): Orlando should be a tough test, as they currently sit fifth in the East. Charlotte is 2-4-5 all-time against Orlando, and has never beaten them at Bank of America Stadium. They have already lost 1-3 against them away earlier this year, so the odds aren’t in the Crown’s favor. With that said, I imagine the team will be motivated to get back on track after all the recent failures.

Prediction: Draw

NYCFC (Home): Charlotte FC has a good record against NYCFC, with four wins, one draw, and one loss. This is a good opportunity to grab three points and pick up momentum. New York is currently one place above Charlotte, in 9th; I expect a win. 

Prediction: Draw

D.C. United (Home): Another great chance to grab a win, against 12th-place D.C. United. If Charlotte can’t win this game, I can't see the playoffs being a reality.

Prediction: Win

Atlanta United (Away): A big rivalry game. Luckily for Charlotte, Atlanta is even worse than them this year, currently in 14th with only 17 points. Charlotte will easily win if they come in with momentum.

Prediction: Win

Toronto FC (Home): Toronto is another team that has fallen apart this season. They have lost all their star power, and at home, this should be an easy victory for Charlotte.’

Prediction: Win

FC Cincinnati (Away): This will be one of the most challenging games of the season, as Charlotte FC travels to Cincinnati, the current second-place team in the East. 

Prediction: Loss

Real Salt Lake (Home): 13th place in the West with only 19 points at this point of the season, I can’t see Real Salt Lake being too much of a challenge at the Bank.

Prediction: Win

New York Red Bulls (Home): The Red Bulls are a tough team this year, with the Crown already losing 2-4 to them on the road. 

Prediction: Loss

New England Revolution (Away):  These teams faced off in April, and a 77th-minute goal from Carles Gil was the difference. Charlotte did dominate possession in that game and had 18 shots, but they couldn’t finish. I think Charlotte will run away with a victory here in a scrappy match. 

Prediction: Win

Inter Miami (Home): Miami is always a challenging game. Messi in the Bank of America Stadium will create an instant electric atmosphere. We have seen in the past how a packed crowd can elevate this team, as evidenced by their win over Miami on decision day 2023.

Prediction: Draw

NYCFC (Away): New York City FC’s away atmosphere isn’t necessarily intimidating, so I think Charlotte could pull off a victory here. 

Prediction: Win

Montréal Impact (Home): Bottom of the East, Montréal has 14 points and a -19 goal difference in 20 games so far this year. I can imagine this game being important for playoff seeding. It could be a trap game, but Charlotte will put their foot on the gas and win easily.

Prediction: Win

DC United (Away): Zaha’s second reunion with former teammate Christian Benteke will be the second-to-last game of the season in the Nation's Capital. This could be another big game when it comes to playoff contention. I think it will be a hard-fought draw. 

Prediction: Draw

Philadelphia Union (Home): Philadelphia is a tough team to beat. With that said, if they have already secured the 1-seed at this point, they may approach the game more easily than in the first meeting. 

Prediction: Loss

There are 42 points up for grabs for the remainder of this season. I predict Charlotte FC will pick up 25 points, bringing their total to 50 for the year. This would be one point lower than the finishing total in 2024. While Charlotte has reached rock bottom at this point in the season, and hopes around the fan base are not high, I believe in the team's talent to achieve some results, especially in home games against weaker opponents.