Streaking Charlotte FC will seek a rare victory against the New York Red Bulls when the sides meet Sunday in North Carolina.
The Crown (14-11-2, 44 points) have won six regular-season matches in a row to climb up the Eastern Conference standings to seventh entering the weekend, five points above 10th-place RBNY in the scrap for nine East playoff spots.
And Charlotte manager Dean Smith believes his side’s seven-match winless run against the Red Bulls dating back to 2022 has been more about timing than quality. In particular, a 4-2 loss at the Red Bulls in late May came during a particularly difficult time for Charlotte.
“The game this season at their place was really a tight game,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, we gave two penalties away. We gave them some cheap goals. It was that period where our individual defending wasn’t great. But we’re in a much better place now, so I expect a different performance for sure.”
Reigning MLS goalkeeper of the year Kristijan Kahlina has kept three consecutive clean sheets in MLS play for Charlotte, part of eight total. Idan Toklomati has scored three goals in his last four regular-season games.
Meanwhile, the Red Bulls (11-10-6, 39 points) have been less consistent of late, but are coming off a 1-0 home win over East title contender Philadelphia last weekend.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has quietly put himself into the MLS Golden Boot conversation with 15 goals in his first MLS season. Emil Forsberg has nine goals and nine assists.
But with winger Lewis Morgan missing most of the season to injury, the Red Bulls haven’t produced goals as a group consistently enough to earn consistent results, scoring one goal or fewer in 16 of 27 matches.
Their moves at the recently passed secondary transfer window deadline have been supplemental in nature, although manager Sandro Schwarz has high hopes for midfielder Rafael Mosquera, who completed a permanent transfer from Plaza Amador to sign with the first-team.
He had previously featured for the reserve Red Bulls II, on loan from the Panamanian club.
“He has performed very well in his opportunities against Chicago and also Leagues Cup,” Schwarz said in a statement. “He is a fast and skillful offensive player that will help in our style of play, and we are pleased to have him with us.”
–Field Level Media
