The Philadelphia Union will aim to both end a winless drought and change their fortunes at home when they host Charlotte FC on Saturday in Chester, Pa.
The Union lost just four home matches combined during the 2020-23 seasons, but they have already topped that mark with their 1-5-3 home record during the 2024 campaign. This unexpected lack of success at home has fueled the Union’s 1-6-4 showing in their last 11 matches and their current five-match winless streak (0-2-3).
Philadelphia (4-6-8, 20 points) nearly recorded a memorable road result at FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, but instead suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 loss in one of the season’s wildest matches. The Union fought back to equalize three times, but Cincinnati star Luciano Acosta collected the winning tally 10 minutes into second-half stoppage time.
“Right now everything hits the back of the net, and that’s just how it is,” coach Jim Curtin said of Philadelphia’s defense. “I think guys are defending a little differently than they normally would to maybe try to help and overcompensate. We have to remain aggressive, trust each other … Some very preventable plays in there.”
Charlotte (8-6-5, 29 points) and Philadelphia played to a 0-0 draw on May 25 in the previous meeting between the two clubs. It was one of a league-high eight clean sheets for Charlotte FC, and Charlotte’s 20 goals allowed are the second-lowest total in the league.
Charlotte is 2-0-1 in its last three matches, including a 2-2 home result with Orlando City on Wednesday. Scott Arfield was issued a red card in the 38th minute, but Charlotte FC hung on for the draw despite being outshot 25-11 and holding only 39.5 percent of possession.
“To be down to 10 men with 60 minutes (left) is incredible and it just shows what we’re building here,” midfielder Ashley Westwood said. “We have a never-say-die attitude and the lads will work for each other. We’ve got a really good point in the end, maybe could’ve won the game.”
Kerwin Vargas is on a two-match scoring streak and leads Charlotte FC with four goals this season. Daniel Gazdag leads Philadelphia with 10 goals.
–Field Level Media