Dean Smith is hoping to celebrate his new contract with Charlotte FC in style when the Eastern Conference high-flyers host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Charlotte have taken seven points from their first four matches of the 2025 campaign, with only Inter Miami (10), plus the Philadelphia Union (nine) and Colombus Crew (eight) currently above them in the East.
On Thursday, it was announced that former Aston Villa boss Smith had penned a new three-year deal to run through 2027.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed being the head coach of Charlotte FC and I'm honoured to sign a new contract with the club," said Smith.
"Everyone at the club is aligned in our vision to be a leader in Major League Soccer. To our supporters, you have made our family feel welcome in this city and for that we're grateful to each one of you.
"We will work together with the aim of consistently challenging for major trophies every season."
Smith oversaw Charlotte's first-ever MLS playoff victory last year, and last weekend's 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati was their fifth in a row at Bank of America Stadium in regular-season action.
San Jose, meanwhile, are looking to correct their downturn after losing back-to-back matches against Minnesota United (0-1) and the Colorado Rapids (1-2).
Those results came after Bruce Arena's men started 2025 with two victories, but the former United States coach is remaining upbeat about the development of his new team.
Reflecting on last week's loss, Arena said: "We had some decent scoring opportunities where we didn't make the right pass at the right time.
"But they [the players] are doing well, we've just got to be a little more consistent. When we walk off the field with something, we can't be jumping for joy at this point.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Charlotte FC – Kristijan Kahlina
Charlotte's 2-0 win over Cincinnati last week was their third straight clean sheet in home regular-season matches and 11th at home since the start of last season, more than any other team in MLS in that time.
Kahlina has a save percentage of 84.21% this campaign, the second-best figure among all goalkeepers to start four MLS matches, after CJ dos Santos for San Diego (85.71%).
San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Arango
Arango scored San Jose's goal last Saturday in their defeat to Colorado, his 55th regular-season MLS goal.
Since Arango debuted in MLS in August 2021, only Daniel Gazdag (57) and Hany Mukhtar (56) have scored more goals in league play.
MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE FC WIN
This will be Charlotte's 124th match in all competitions, but their first-ever meeting with San Jose.
The 'Quakes have only won two of their last 50 regular-season away matches against Eastern Conference opponents dating back to May 2012.
They are winless in 14 straight on the road against teams from the East (D5 L9) since a 2-1 triumph at Toronto FC in May 2019.
Charlotte, meanwhile, have won five straight regular-season home matches for the first time in club history. The Crown have also scored multiple goals in all five wins, their longest streak of home games with multiple goals.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Charlotte FC – 62.7%
San Jose Earthquakes – 17.5%
Draw – 19.8%