Charlotte FC heads to Columbus to face the Columbus Crew in the second of three matches in a week-long stretch.
Kickoff from ScottsMiracle-Gro Field is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, and fans can watch the match on Apple TV.
Let’s look at the Materials of the Match presented by Rubbermaid to see how Charlotte FC can continue to keep rising up the table before the end of the regular season.
Last Time Out
Charlotte FC pulled off a miraculous comeback against FC Dallas to win 3-2 on October 10 at Bank of America Stadium.
The Crown were down 2-0 in the 64th minute after Petar Musa scored. Within 10 minutes, Charlotte FC had leveled the match. Idan Toklomati scored in the 70th minute on a pass from Allan Saint-Maximin across the box. Harry Toffolo scored four minutes later on a cross from Pep Biel and an unintentional headed pass from Toklomati.
Charlotte FC kept pushing for an equalizer, dominating the pace of the match before Biel and Toklomati connected for the winner with the Israeli striker scoring his second goal of the match.
Hello Playoffs
Charlotte FC can clinch a spot in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season with the following outcomes on Saturday:
- A Charlotte FC win against Columbus Crew
- A New York City FC draw or loss against Inter Miami CF (10/14, 7:30 p.m)
- A Toronto FC draw or loss against Orlando City SC (10/14, 7:30 p.m)
- A D.C. United draw or loss against Red Bull New York (10/14 7:30 p.m)
OR
- A Charlotte FC win against Columbus Crew
- A New York City FC draw or loss against Inter Miami CF (10/14, 7:30 p.m)
- A FC Cincinnati draw or loss against New England Revolution (10/14, 7:30 p.m)
- A Red Bull New York loss against D.C. United (10/14 7:30 p.m)
If the Crown clinch a playoff spot, it would mean Head Coach Dean Smith has made the playoffs with Charlotte FC every year he’s led the team.
If Charlotte FC can finish in third place or higher in the Eastern Conference, it would be their highest regular season finish in Club history. The Crown can finish with a maximum of 64 points which would also be a club-best, beating the 2025 season total of 59 points.
Dangerous Duo
Biel and Toklomati are goal-producing machines for Charlotte FC, both scoring 11 or more goals, including Biel leading the Club with 12. It’s the second consecutive season that Charlotte FC has had multiple goalscorers with 10-plus goals after Biel, Toklomati and former winger Wilfried Zaha all had 10 or more in the 2025 season.
Biel’s 12 goals are a career-best for him with Charlotte FC, while Toklomati’s 11 goals tie his career-best from last season with the Club. Biel has added a club-leading 12 assists to his ledger, which ties his total from last year that also led The Crown.
Biel and Toklomati are on the precipice of both breaking the single-season MLS goals record for Charlotte FC held by Karol Świderski for his 12-goal 2023 campaign. If Toklomati scores another goal, it will mark the first time that The Crown has had two goalscorers with 12 or more goals and will bring further chaos to the Club goal-scoring crown this season.
On the Road Again
Charlotte FC heads out on their second three-match road trip since September.
From September 9-19, The Crown were on the road playing CF Montréal, FC Cincinnati and D.C. United. Charlotte FC went 2-0-1 on the trip and extended their unbeaten streak to eight and brought their post-World Cup break road record to 4-1-2.
Charlotte FC had some trouble on the road before the World Cup break, only going 1-4-1 and securing four of a possible 18 points. The Crown will look to continue to leave that form in the past and keep its current road form with it on the trips to Columbus, Philadelphia and Portland, starting with the Crew on Wednesday
Taking on The Crew
Charlotte FC has yet to win at Columbus, going 4-2-3 in the series with the Crew with all four wins coming at Bank of America Stadium. The Crown added their fourth win against the Crew on August 15, winning 3-1 thanks to two goals within the first 10 minutes. The win kickstarted Charlotte FC’s eight-match unbeaten streak.
Charlotte FC will look to add a win in Columbus on October 14 when they take on a 13th-place Crew team that has fallen below their usual successful standards.
Columbus has had a myriad of events befall them, taking away some of their best players. Then-leading goalscorer Wessam Abou Ali suffered a season-ending torn ACL in April. Promising midfielder Max Arfsten went to English Championship side Middlesbrough in August, while leading forward Diego Rossi signed with Monterrey in July.
The remainder of the Crew have tried to fill the gaps as best as they can and are still in contention for a playoff spot, sitting seven points out of eight and ninth place right now.
Brais Méndez (4G+3A), Mohamed Farsi (2G+5A) and Taha Habroune (3G+4A) are tied for the goal-contribution lead for the Columbus Crew, all with seven.
OCTOBER 28 @ 7:30 PM // CHARLOTTE VS. MONTREAL
The Crown takes on CF Montreal in a mid-week matchup on Wednesday, October 28, at 7:30 PM at Bank of America Stadium during Fan Appreciation Week. Don't miss the last regular-season light show, presented by Duke Energy!
