Preview: DC United vs. Charlotte FC – prediction, team news, lineups

One point needed to secure post-season football, DC United play host Charlotte F.C at Audi Field in the final game of the 2024 MLS regular season on Saturday.

While the visitors have already booked their place in the play-offs, a run of two wins in their last two outings has put the Black and Red in pole position to qualify for the two-legged play-in clash in the East.

Match example

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DC United picked up three big points in their quest for a play-off spot as they recorded a 2-1 win over New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium a fortnight ago.

After Pedro Santos and in-form striker Cristian Benteke found the back of the net within the first ten minutes to give the visitors a comfortable lead, but they had to prevent a late comeback when Matti Peltola scored an own goal in the 74th minute to halve the deficit.

Before that, DC United snapped their three-match winless streak on October 3, when they fought back from two goals down to secure a thrilling 4-3 win over Nashville thanks to a close-range finish from Benteke and a brace from Gabriel Pirani in the last 15 minutes.

Troy Lesesne‘s side enters Saturday’s season finale undefeated in all but one of their most recent matches, picking up four wins and two draws after failing to win twelve of their fourteen MLS matches prior to this series .

This late-season turnaround has put DC United on course to finish in one of the two play-in qualifying places as they sit eighth in the league. the Eastern Conference tabletied on 40 points with ninth-placed CF Montreal.

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Charlotte, on the other hand, continued their strong ending to the regular season campaign as they recorded a 2-0 victory over Montreal when the two teams faced off at Bank of America Stadium on October 6.

Poland International Karol Swiderski continued his red-hot form in front of goal as he opened the scoring in the 34th minute to put the hosts ahead. Patrick Agyemang secured the result with a 94-minute strike.

Charlotte has now gone four straight games without defeat, racking up three wins and one draw, scoring 11 goals and keeping two clean sheets since suffering three consecutive defeats to Atalanta United, Montreal and Orlando City.

Daan Smit‘s men have recorded 13 wins from their 33 MLS matches heading into the final match of the season, while losing 11 and claiming nine draws, collecting 48 points and sitting sixth in the East, eight points above DC United outside the guaranteed play-off spots.

While Charlotte will look to end the regular season on a positive note, they will have to show their mettle at Audi Field as they have failed to win their last six away games in all competitions, losing three and three draws claimed since a 3-0. 1 loss to Cincinnati on July 13.

DC United Major League Soccer format:

Charlotte FC Major League Soccer format:

Team news

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The Swedish defender has served a one-match ban imposed on him by the MLS FA for violent conduct Christopher McVey is free to return to action this weekend.

On the injury front, DC United remains without the services of an American defender Matai Akinmboni and compatriot Jackson Hopkinswho were sidelined due to ankle injuries.

Conner Antley has been out of action since coming off with a knee injury in May’s match against Atlanta United and the 29-year-old defender is also out of action for this weekend’s home side.

Benteke has had a remarkable season, scoring 23 goals and going four clear in the Golden Boot race, and the Belgian striker will look to add to his tally this weekend.

Charlotte will take the field without the help of the 23-year-old attacker Iuri Tavareswho is currently suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his yellow card last time out against Montreal.

In terms of injuries The Crown having to do without the duo of Jahlane Forbes and the Serbian midfielder Nikola Petkovicwho are currently recovering from hip and knee injuries respectively.

With his opening game against Montreal last time out, Swiderski now has four goals and one assist in the last three games of the Crown and the 27-year-old striker will be one to keep an eye on.

DC United’s possible starting lineup:
Bono; Stroud, Herrera, Bartlett, Peltola, Santos; Klich, Rodriguez, Pirani, Ku-DiPietro; Benteke

Possible starting line-up of Charlotte FC:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Ream; Bronico, Westwood, Urso; Biel, Swiderski, Abada

We say: DC United 2-1 Charlotte FC

With their play-off dreams hinging on this weekend’s result, we expect DC United to pull out all the stops as they need at least a point to secure post-season football. Charlotte have had some good results of late, but given their recent struggles on the road, we’re backing the Black and Red to come away with a narrow victory in front of their home supporters.

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

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