The latest edition of “The Battle of the South” takes place Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. GA.
Charlotte FC heads fewer than 300 miles south to face rival outfit Atlanta United. The two teams met twice already this season, with Atlanta earning a win in U.S. Open Cup play and the more recent game resulting in a draw.
However, it’s been three straight wins in Atlanta for Charlotte, dating back to 2023. And coincidentally enough, they’ve scored three times in every game during that span as well. Moreover, Charlotte have scored three goals in three straight wins.
Before Saturday’s clash, here’s a look back on the history of Charlotte FC’s away form in Atlanta.
2025: Atlanta United 2-3 Charlotte FC
Despite an early score by Atlanta United, it was Charlotte FC who left Georgia with the three points last season.
A lovely header by Tristan Muyumba provided an early lead for the hosts in the 19th minute.
The Crown drew level right before half-time, which helped shift the game’s momentum entirely. Idan Toklomati beat his defender to the ball and snuck one in right past then-Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Wilfried Zaha netted a second for Charlotte in the 59th minute, while Pep Biel fired in a third in the 77th. Atlanta managed to pull one back five minutes before stoppage time, but it proved to be too little, too late for the hosts.
The win against Atlanta was the first of three-straight unbeaten league games on the road for Charlotte. The Crown went on to finish fourth in the Eastern Conference last season.
2024: Atlanta United 1-3 Charlotte FC
The matchup in Atlanta two years ago featured a similar story to last year’s: Atlanta striking first, Charlotte scoring three times in a row and a late United goal not being enough.
Ironically enough, it wasn’t a Charlotte player to get the visitors back in it.
An errant collision by an Atlanta player off a Jere Uronen corner kick resulted in the ball narrowly crossing the goal line for an own goal for United.
In 2024, it was Liel Abada who ruled the day.
Abada’s brace, which featured goals in the 56th and 68th minute, made all the difference in a thrilling 2-3 victory for Charlotte. Both of Abada’s goals were slotted to the exact same spot right past the outstretched left arm of goalkeeper Josh Cohen.
2023: Atlanta United 1-3 Charlotte FC
2023 was a dominant performance for Charlotte FC, as they earned their first win against their rivals in Atlanta.
Justin Meram, playing against his former club, grabbed the game’s first goal. Then, in the 51st minute, an Atlanta defender committed a foul on Karol Świderski in the penalty box. That warranted a red card for Atlanta and a penalty kick for Świderski, which he cooly converted to double the lead.
Meram scored five minutes after Świderski’s penalty kick to earn a brace and make it an insurmountable deficit for Atlanta.
A late Atlanta goal prevented a clean sheet for the visitors, but it was a comprehensive victory for Charlotte nonetheless.
2022: Atlanta United 2-1 Charlotte FC
In the third game in Club history, a stoppage-time goal by Atlanta sank The Crown.
Despite the loss, Charlotte scored its first MLS goal ever when Adam Armour smacked in a header effort.
While Charlotte FC was denied that day, they earned their first victory ever a week later against New England.
NEXT AT HOME
KAHLINA BOBBLEHEAD // SEPT. 5 @ 7:30 PM
Charlotte FC takes on the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, September 5, at 7:30 PM. The first fans to arrive will receive the limited-edition Kristijan Kahlina Bobblehead presented by Rugs.com.
