Charlotte FC will look to snap a four-match MLS winless run when they welcome New York City FC to Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday.
Both sides enter the contest with identical records of 4-5-3 and 15 points, though NYCFC holds the edge in the standings thanks to a superior goal differential. Charlotte FC, meanwhile, can take confidence from a 2-1 victory over NYCFC in New York on April 18, giving them the head-to-head advantage.
Since that win, Charlotte FC have struggled, going 0-3-1 in their last four regular-season outings. After three straight losses on the road, they managed to salvage a point at home on Saturday with a 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati.
New York City FC, on the other hand, put an end to their own seven-match winless skid (0-5-2) with a commanding 3-0 home victory over the Columbus Crew on Sunday. Midfielder Hannes Wolf stole the show, netting all three goals for his first professional hat trick.
Despite his offensive outburst, Wolf was quick to praise the team’s defensive effort. He told the New York Soccer Journal that the squad focused on defending crosses in the buildup to the match, returning to “the mentality to defend as a team” that defined New York City last season.
“This team didn’t get worse overnight,” Wolf said. “It was just a bad moment and we want to be ourselves now in the future.”
NYCFC have a 1-2-1 record on the road this season and will play three consecutive away matches before MLS takes a break for the World Cup. Wednesday’s clash is the second of four straight home games for Charlotte FC ahead of that hiatus, where they hold a 3-1-2 record at home.
Charlotte will be without captain Ashley Westwood, who is serving a one-match suspension due to yellow card accumulation. “What you lose is his leadership and experience. Other people have to come and stand up and lead without Ashley,” said Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith. He added that “we’ve got lads who are waiting in the wings who are ready to play” in Westwood’s absence.
For NYCFC, Aidan O’Neill (ankle) and Andres Peres (leg) are both questionable after missing the last match. Nicolas Fernandez leads New York City in goals with eight and contributed three assists to Wolf’s hat trick on Sunday.
Pep Biel paces Charlotte FC with six goals and 10 goal contributions this season.
