MLS Match Preview: Charlotte FC (8-11-1) vs. Orlando City SC (9-5-6)

Matchday 21 of the 2025 MLS season brings a pivotal Eastern Conference showdown as Charlotte FC host Orlando City SC at Bank of America Stadium. With both clubs eyeing playoff positioning, this fixture promises high-stakes drama and tactical intrigue.

Match Details

Fixture	Charlotte FC vs Orlando City SC
Date	Saturday, July 5, 2025
Kickoff	7:15 PM ET
Venue	Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Broadcast	Apple TV (MLS Season Pass), FS1
Head-to-Head	Orlando leads 5W–4D–2L in 11 meetings

Current Form & Standings

Team	Record	Points	Last 5 Matches
Orlando City SC	9–5–6	33 pts (5th East)	L–L–W–W–L
Charlotte FC	8–11–1	25 pts (10th East)	L–L–L–W–L

Charlotte FC are on a 3-match losing streak, including a 3–2 defeat to Chicago Fire.

Orlando City recently fell 2–1 to FC Cincinnati but have won 2 of their last 3.

Tactical Breakdown

Charlotte FC

Strengths: Home form (6–2–0 at Bank of America Stadium), midfield creativity

Key Players:

Pep Biel: 6 goals, 8 assists – creative engine

Idan Toklomati: 3 goals in last 4 games

Injuries/Suspensions:

Wilfried Zaha (suspended)

Patrick Agyemang, Tim Ream (international duty)

Nathan Byrne, Nimfasha Berchimas (injured)

Orlando City SC

Strengths: Road resilience (unbeaten in 8 of last 9 away), attacking depth

Key Players:

Marco Pašalić: 9 goals, 4 assists – scored in 2 straight games

Martín Ojeda: 9 goals – joint top scorer

Injuries/Suspensions:

Duncan McGuire, Joran Gerbet, Yutaro Tsukada (injured)

Alexander Freeman (international duty)

Key Matchups to Watch

Duel	Edge
Pep Biel vs. César Araújo	Even – Biel’s vision vs. Araújo’s ball-winning
Toklomati vs. Jansson/Schlegel	Orlando – physical edge in central defense
Ojeda & Pasalic vs. Charlotte backline	Orlando – superior finishing and movement

Advanced Stats Snapshot

Metric	Charlotte FC	Orlando City SC
Goals Scored	27	37 (1st in East)
Goals Conceded	34	28
xG (Expected Goals)	29.1	34.0
Clean Sheets	3	5 (away)