Charlotte FC

vs

00:15:00

Orlando City

Match Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Orlando City - prediction, team news and lineup

The Eastern Conference clash at Inter&Co Stadium on May 7, 2025, pits two in‑form sides against each other: Charlotte FC, seeking to arrest a rare slump, and Orlando City, carrying significant momentum after an emphatic run. With both teams still firmly in playoff contention, the stakes are high as they face off in the sunshine of Central Florida.

Charlotte FC arrived following a three-game slide, yet their recent performances showed control, creating chances but struggling to finish in decisive fashion. Meanwhile, Orlando City entered buoyed by a ten-match unbeaten streak across all competitions and strong home form, netting 14 goals in their last five home fixtures. The game was set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, broadcast on MLS Season Pass, with both sides eyeing momentum and form reshaping as the season progressed.

Head to Head
Historically, Orlando City had the upper hand in this budding rivalry—with a 3–1–2 MLS record and a 4‑2‑4 mark across all meetings. Their edge was most notable at home, where they were unbeaten in five matches (+4 goal difference). Charlotte’s last triumph over Orlando came in March 2023, but they remained winless in six of their last seven encounters.

Team News
Charlotte continued to grapple with a thinning squad. Defender Nathan Byrne remained sidelined after undergoing surgery in early May. Meanwhile, Tim Ream and Patrick Agyemang were absent due to international duty earlier in the month—but Agyemang returned with a goal and an assist in the U.S. Open Cup on May 7. Their availability brought a boost, but squad depth was still a concern.

On the Orlando City side, key midfielders like Eduard Atuesta and Cesar Araujo had just returned from injuries, bolstering the engine room. Rookie Joran Gerbet impressed in Atuesta’s absence with nine‑tenths pass accuracy and composed defending. However, Orlando still missed long‑term absentees—Yutaro Tsukada (ACL) and Duncan McGuire (rotator cuff), both sidelined for the season 

Key players to watch:

For Charlotte, Israeli winger Liel Abada had restored his scoring touch with goals in three consecutive games, including a recent brace; a proven threat in quick transitions 

Orlando’s Argentine forward Martín Ojeda arrived in rich form, fresh off a first-ever MLS hat trick, driving Orlando’s scoring machine with 7 goals and 4 assists in his last 13 games 

Despite Charlotte’s tactical control and Orlando’s robust home record, the narrative coming into May 7 was clear: Orlando, with momentum, confidence, and home advantage, held the slight edge—but Charlotte’s return of key attackers and their desire to reverse the trend added intrigue. As this battle of form and resilience unfolded, both clubs signaled that playoff positioning was firmly in focus.