Orlando City vs Charlotte FC: 1 v 1 battles to watch
- Brian Maurer
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Brian Maurer
Charlotte FC hits the road for the fourth straight game in all competitions. They have an opportunity to try and right the ship in MLS play against Orlando City, who are coming off a letdown 3-3 draw over the weekend. However, the Lions are unbeaten in 10 straight matches, and Charlotte has lost three in a row in MLS.
It's a revenge game for the Crown as they look to earn points off the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year. Here are three key matchups that could turn the tide either way:
Cesar Araujo vs Pep Biel
Cesar Araujo has been key to Orlando City's midfield for years now, and the young Uruguayan is more important than ever as Wilder Cartagena is out with a season-ending injury, and Eduard Atuesta, who was signed to replace Cartagena, is also injured. Araujo will be charged with snuffing out fires that Pep Biel sets as he looks to get Charlotte's attacking going.
Biel has been the most influential piece to the Crown's attack, and if they are going to get any points on the road in this one, it will likely have to go through the Spanish midfielder. If Biel can find space to operate, then Charlotte will have a fighting chance for all three points against a team that hasn't lost since March 8.
Martin Ojeda vs Brandt Bronico
Flipping to the other side of the midfield in this one, and you have Orlando's key attacking centerpiece going up against the high motor of Charlotte's Brandt Bronico. Martin Ojeda looks to be coming into his own this year as he just put up a hat-trick on the weekend, and now has 11 goal contributions (7g/4a) in all competitions to start the year.
Ojeda was allowed to pepper shots at New England from inside the box last Saturday. Bronico and co. will have to prevent that from happening to give themselves a chance in Florida, because if Ojeda goes off, it could be a long night for the Crown.
Alex Freeman vs Wilfried Zaha
Alex Freeman is an exciting young prospect who has hit the MLS stage in 2025. He is a tall, two-way fullback who has been able to utilize his skills in the attacking third multiple times already this season. Wilfried Zaha will need to put enough pressure on Orlando's right side that Freeman doesn't feel comfortable getting forward. Picking on a young prospect should be exactly what Zaha wants with his experience, but he is a player who hasn't quite found his best form in MLS just yet.
This is an opportunity for Zaha to take advantage of the less-experienced fullback and show the MLS world that he is dialing in and ready to lead the Crown from the front. This matchup on the wing could be one of the most pivotal as both teams attempt to get back to winning ways.
Another note about Charlotte FC's left-hand side is that opposing right backs have provided an assist in back-to-back games against the Crown. And the first game during this recent losing streak also came from Charlotte's left wing as Carles Gil cut in on his left foot to put in the far post ball.
Summary
While it is still early in the season, this game already feels like another playoff game. Similar to how last weekend's Charlotte FC game felt in Nashville. Dean Smith said the club let itself down a bit on Saturday. Controlling the game centrally will be key for Charlotte. The Crown has started matches well in the last few weeks, but has taken their foot off the gas early, allowing teams back into games. Both teams will want to demonstrate that they can control the game for larger stretches. Midfield play will be key to making game control happen.
