The Union defeated Charlotte, 2-0, at home on April 2 in the first meeting between the sides. The Union have won their last five matches against expansion sides after winning just four of their first 15 meetings with MLS newcomers from 2011 to 2018 (D5 L6).
Charlotte FC has won consecutive matches for the third time in the club’s expansion season. Charlotte has lost following each of its first two winning streaks, including a 2-0 defeat to the Union on April 2 after its first two wins in franchise history.
The Union’s five-match winning streak ended with a scoreless draw at Atlanta on September 17. Philadelphia has won 11 of its last 14 (D1 L2), outscoring opponents, 46-, in those games. The plus-37 goal difference is the largest in a 14-match span in a single season in MLS history.
Karol Swiderski scored two of Charlotte’s three goals in its comeback win over the Fire on September 17. Charlotte has won six of the seven matches in which Swiderski has scored this season (L1) while recording wins in just six of the 24 games in which he didn’t play or didn’t score (D2 L16).
The Union kept their 14th clean sheet of the season in Atlanta in their last match. Philadelphia has allowed 22 goals through 32 games this season, the fewest through 32 games of a season in MLS history (including playoffs for teams in a 30-game seasons).