Charlotte visit a Philadelphia Union side riding five straight wins

Charlotte head to Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference with 46 points, just one ahead of Philadelphia Union in sixth. With the season in its final stretch, every point in the race for the top of the conference carries weight, and the hosts are the side with momentum.

Charlotte’s pursuit of the top five

The gap between these two sides is narrow. Charlotte have the slight edge on points, while Philadelphia have the better goal difference, +13 to Charlotte’s +8. The Union have quietly built a position in the upper half of the table, and a home win here would open a meaningful distance over their visitors.

Philadelphia’s winning streak

The Union have won their last five matches, and their home form has been the engine of that run. They have scored 18 goals in those five games and conceded only seven, and they have recorded more clean sheets at home than any other part of their season. Their wider record shows the same consistency: they have won 13 of 29 league games, and their last eight results across the season read as victories.

Charlotte’s mixed form

Charlotte’s recent results have been far less settled. Their last five league matches have produced two wins, two defeats and a draw, and they have conceded ten goals in that period. Their away record has been productive at times, with 22 goals scored on the road, but they have also been the more vulnerable side defensively away from home, conceding 27 times in 14 away games.

Head-to-head: a close rivalry

The recent meetings have been tight. Charlotte have won three of the last five encounters, including a 2-1 victory in April and a 2-0 win in October 2025. Philadelphia responded with a 2-1 win in June 2025 and a 1-0 result in the 2024 Leagues Cup. Neither side has dominated, and most of these matches have been decided by a single goal or two.

Team news: Anello out for Philadelphia

Philadelphia will be without A. Anello, who is sidelined by a groin injury. Charlotte have a longer list of absences: N. Berchimas (foot injury), A. Goodwin (foot injury), A. John (shoulder injury) and A. Doucoure, who is inactive.

Our prediction

Philadelphia have the momentum and the home record to back it up, while Charlotte have shown they can win in this fixture but have been less reliable on the road lately. We expect the Union to make their run count with a narrow home win, though Charlotte’s attacking quality means the visitors will have chances to get back into it.

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2-1 Charlotte