Capitalize in the Capital: Ingredients of the Match: Charlotte FC vs D.C. United
MLS Charlotte FC

Capitalize in the Capital: Ingredients of the Match: Charlotte FC vs D.C. United

Published on October 3, 2025 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release


Charlotte FC won't just be chasing redemption after a pair of disappointing results, but they'll also be looking to spoil DC's chance at ending their home season on a high note. Charlotte leads the all-time series 4-2-1 and took the first leg of the 2025 matchup with a 2-1 win at Bank of America Stadium in July. They're unbeaten in their last four meetings with D.C., outscoring their Eastern Conference rivals 6-1 during that stretch.

With playoff standings looming large above Charlotte FC's head, taking home all three points is non-negotiable. CLTFC will be hungry to flip the narrative and get another win under their belt before heading into decision day against Philadelphia Union.

D.C. Fall-out

D.C. United sit last in the Eastern Conference Standings, with just five wins on the season, only two of which they acquired in their home stadium. Though already eliminated from a playoff run, D.C. put up good fights against both ORL and MIA the past two weeks. They drew Orlando 1-1 on their home turf, and put up quite a battle at Inter Miami, just falling short 3-2.

D.C. United's recent struggles were evident in their latest matchup against the Philadelphia Union. While the 6-0 scoreline suggests a dominant performance by the Union, the underlying metrics tell a more nuanced story. D.C. United registered 18 shots and an expected goals (xG) of 1.60, compared to the Union's 14 shots and 2.30 xG. Despite the lopsided result, D.C. showed plenty of fight on the pitch. Several of the Union's goals came from fortunate circumstances, including an own goal by D.C. making the final score harsher than the performance itself.

Under their new head coach Rene Wieler, it's clear through their recent results that D.C. United have at the very least become a tougher team to break down. These performances reflect a team that, while still finding consistency, is clearly harder to beat than the scorelines sometimes suggest.

Given D.C.'s recent fights, Charlotte FC will want to going out quick and hard. If The Crown can get on the scoresheet early, they will allow themselves to dictate the tempo of the match and therefore have a strong chance at a necessary three points.

Lineup Shuffle

The Crown will have a bit of a shuffle in their starting lineup, as they will be without their captain Ashley Westwood and midfielder Brandt Bronico due to yellow card accumulation. Defensive workhorse Adilson Malanda will also miss his first match of the entire season following his ejection against CF Montréal last weekend.

The absence of these key starters will test Charlotte FC's depth and resilience of the squad, especially through the center of the field. Fans may be able to expect younger players to step into key roles, with added pressure on the remaining veterans such as Nathan Byrne or Tim Ream to anchor the team.

NEXT AT HOME:

OCTOBER 18 // CHARLOTTE vs. PHILADELPHIA

Charlotte FC take on Philadelphia Union at Bank of America Stadium on October 18 at 6:00 p.m for Fan Appreciation Night. The first fans to arrive will receive a limited-edition t-shirt giveaway presented by Ally, as The Crown play in their regular season finale.

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 3, 2025


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