Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream says it is business as usual for Dean Smith's team as they approach Sunday's MLS Cup Playoff clash with Orlando City.

Charlotte went unbeaten through their final five games of the regular season to finish fifth in the Eastern Conference, while Orlando finished one point clear of them in fourth.

They visit Florida for the opening match of a three-game first-round series on Sunday, having ended a six-match winless run on the road by trouncing D.C. United 3-0 last week.

Former Fulham captain Ream, who has played a key role since returning to the United States in August, says nothing will change about their work in training ahead of the game.

"We're just going about it in the same way we have been doing in the last couple of weeks, doing the right things in training," Ream said.

"We have to make sure we take that into the game this weekend.

"I was expecting to come in and push myself and push the other guys around me from the get-go. It doesn't always work that way but I'm very pleased with where we are."

Orlando, meanwhile, are appearing in the postseason for a fifth straight year, and forward Duncan McGuire has enjoyed being part of a fluid attack under Oscar Pareja this term.

"I'm very excited to get to the playoffs. I think the way we've shown ourselves on the field in the past few months, it's a really good brand of football that I'm excited to be part of," McGuire said.

"The way we finished the season, locking in fourth place, is huge for us, and then we're very excited to host games, which helped us in the first round last year.

"We're very excited to get to Sunday, getting a bunch of numbers forward has allowed us to be successful offensively, having so many goalscorers across this team."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres has been involved in five of the 10 goals Orlando have scored against Charlotte (three goals, two assists against them), including recording two goals and an assist in the two meetings between the sides this season.

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang

Agyemang's goal last Saturday took him to 16 goal contributions for the season (10 goals, six assists), equalling Karol Swiderski (2022 and 2023) for the most in a single campaign in Charlotte's MLS history. 

No other player in team history has ever recorded 10 goal contributions in a single campaign.

MATCH PREDICTION – ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando ended a four-match winless run against Charlotte (two draws, two defeats) with a 2-0 victory in the last meeting between the sides on September 18. That win was the first of the sides' seven all-time meetings to be decided by more than a one-goal margin.

While Charlotte collected 13 points from their last five matches of the regular season, their best return in any five-game span in their MLS history, the Lions enter this one as favourites.

After missing the playoffs in each of their first five MLS seasons, Orlando have reached the postseason in five straight campaigns dating back to 2020, and their big-game experience could be key here.

They have won six of their last eight home matches in MLS play, drawing one and losing one, with five of those victories coming by a margin of more than one goal. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 52%

Charlotte FC – 23.5%

Draw – 24.5%

Pat Noonan said his FC Cincinnati side must become a team again in order to return to winning ways after their winless MLS run extended to three games in midweek.

The Orange and Blue were on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller, losing 3-2 to New York City FC as another slow start was punished at the Red Bull Arena.

While having already secured their spot in the playoffs, Noonan expressed the importance of team cohesion for the final two games of the regular season, starting this weekend against Orlando City.

"We need to be more of a team on the field. I think we have too many individual moments where we're not doing what is in the best interest of the team," Noonan said.

"It's a lot of players at a lot of different times. It's not a singular thing. We're making too many decisions where guys want to be the playmaker, they want to be the goalscorer, they want to be the assist man.

“We need to do simple things better. We overcomplicate the game right now."

Orlando, meanwhile, come into the encounter at the TQL Stadium having won five of their last six MLS games, the latest of which came in a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union.

Over that period of success, the Lions have scored 16 goals, conceding only six as they continue to build momentum ahead of their upcoming playoff campaign.

Head coach Oscar Pareja was pleased with his side’s display against the Union last time out, believing his side are currently the best team in the division at this moment in time.

“We are obviously very happy and satisfied with the way the team has found ways to win games and put us in a decent spot in the standings at this time of the season,” Pareja said.

“Another hard game, well played by us. We could’ve had more precision in certain moments when we could have put the game away from Philadelphia [Union], but we ended up just finishing with the 2-1 [win].

“Very tight plays at the end with them pushing and really making us feel that it could be a tight game. But all in all, I thought we were the best team on the pitch, and we have been one of the best teams in the league for me."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

Acosta has recorded a goal contribution in each of his last three matches, including scoring on Wednesday night.

This is the Argentine’s 11th different streak of three or more consecutive regular-season games with a goal contribution since the start of the 2022 season.

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres scored in Orlando City’s win on Wednesday, his sixth straight match with a goal contribution, equalling the club record.

The Uruguayan is the third Lions player to record such a streak, after Martin Ojeda and Sacha Kljestan.

MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN

While Cincinnati are favoured to win by Opta’s data-led simulations, they have lost five of their last nine regular-season home matches (W3 D1) dating back to late May. Cincinnati had lost only three of their previous 31 home league matches dating back to June 2022.

Orlando, meanwhile, have enjoyed games away from home. Their win over Dallas last time out was their seventh road win of the season and 16th overall since the start of the 2023 campaign. Only Cincinnati (17) has more away wins since the start of last season than Orlando.

However, the last seven meetings between Cincinnati and Orlando have all been either drawn (two) or decided by a one-goal margin (Cincinnati W3, Orlando W2). There have been three total goals scored in the last four games between the sides.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Cincinnati – 43.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Orlando City – 29.5%

Jim Curtin is confident the Philadelphia Union have put themselves in a good position, but admits they need to stop dropping points ahead of their trip to Orlando City.

The Union had recorded back-to-back wins in MLS before last weekend, when they let a lead slip to draw 1-1 with Atlanta United.

It leaves them ninth in the Eastern Conference, one of three teams on 37 points, as they push for a place in the playoffs.

Despite the tight table, Curtin is optimistic that their solid work to this point will be enough to help them qualify.

"We're at a point in the year that every team in and around that red line are very desperate," he said.

"It's going to go down to the last day for sure, and we've put ourselves in a situation where we're still in control of our own destiny, but our margin for error is small.

"Not taking the extra two points against Atlanta makes it a little more challenging, no doubts about that."

Meanwhile, Orlando clinched their playoff place last time out with a 3-1 win over FC Dallas.

Sitting fourth in the table, Oscar Pareja was proud of how his team turned around a poor start to the campaign but is still pushing them to finish the regular season strongly.

"We're so excited, and we have a lot of gratitude with the club and with the fans that have supported us this year," Pareja said. "One more time we qualify for the playoffs.

"It's great for a group of players that have a big heart and a big love for the club too, and a lot of passion for what they do. So, I'm very happy.

"We still have a journey to navigate. The boys are in a good mentality."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

With a goal on Saturday, Facundo Torres has contributed to at least one goal in five straight regular season matches, equalling the longest streak of his career.

The Orlando City club record for consecutive games with a goal contribution is six, done three times before, including by Martin Ojeda earlier this season.

Philadelphia Union – Nathan Harriel

The Union drew, 1-1, with Atlanta United on Saturday despite taking a 1-0 lead, with Harriel scoring their lone goal.

Philadelphia have now dropped 24 points from winning positions this season, the second-most in MLS in 2024 (St. Louis City – 25) and most in a single season in club history, and Harriel will want to help his fellow defenders ensure it does not happen again.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando defeated the Union 3-2 at Subaru Park on May 11. The Lions have never defeated Philadelphia twice in a single season before.

Indeed, Orlando are unbeaten in nine straight home matches (W6 D3) in all competitions, including keeping clean sheets in each of the last four. This is the first time they kept clean sheets in four straight home matches in all competitions in club history.

Meanwhile, the Union have won two of their last three regular-season away matches (L1), including a 5-1 victory at New York City FC on September 18. Philadelphia had won only one of their previous eight road league matches prior to this run.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 45.9%

Draw – 26.7%

Philadelphia Union – 27.4%

Patrickson Delgado wants FC Dallas to take momentum from their 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC as they aim to push for the playoffs.

Dallas face Orlando City at home on Saturday, and while the visitors look well set to go on and clinch a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, it is a different matter for the hosts in the West.

Minnesota United are five points clear of Dallas in the race for a playoff spot, with just four regular-season games remaining.

But midfielder Delgado is hopeful Dallas can get over the line.

"This victory will help us gain more momentum for the final games of the season," he said after the win over LAFC, as reported by Big D Soccer.

"Our goal is to make the playoffs, and we will not give up. We will play every game like a final and finish the season strong."

Alan Velasco, who has just returned from injury, impressed against LAFC, and interim coach Peter Luccin was thrilled with his display.

"We can see what talent Velasco can do on the field, we know that," he said.

"When we are putting all those quality players together, this is what happens. We scored three goals, we could've scored one or two more.

"It's good that those two players are coming back but at the same time, we need to manage our emotions. Everyone wants to see Alan play but he's coming back from a very serious injury, so we need to manage him well."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas - Logan Farrington

Farrington came off the bench to record a goal and an assist in Dallas' win over LAFC, his second game with a goal and an assist as a sub this season. Farrington is one of six players in MLS history to record multiple games with a goal and an assist off the bench in a single season.

Orlando City - Facundo Torres

Torres has contributed to at least one goal in four straight regular-season appearances, the third such streak of his career, including a five-match run in 2022-23.

He is the first Orlando City player to have three streaks of four or more consecutive games with a goal contribution.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Dallas have lost only one of seven all-time meetings with Orlando (W4 D2), though this will be the first match between the sides since May 2022.

Orlando have scored only two goals in the seven previous meetings between these teams.

Dallas have won eight of their last 11 regular season home matches (D1 L2) dating back to late April. Dallas have scored multiple goals in 10 of those 11 matches, netting three or more in five of them.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Dallas - 35.4%

Orlando City - 38.5%

Draw - 26%

Oscar Pareja says the confidence of his Orlando City side is on the rise ahead of their MLS trip to Nashville SC at Geodis Park.

The Lions have triumphed in their last three league matches, overcoming New England Revolution 3-1 in their most recent outing.

Orlando are seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, and head coach Pareja believes improvements are clear to see as encouragement grows within the camp.

"Very excited with the three points, very proud of the character of the team and the players that brought us back after an irregular first half," Pareja said, referring to the Revs victory.

"It seems like our confidence keeps rising, and finding the net is helping us to believe that this is the team who can keep that rhythm and get into the playoffs.

"A team with more chemistry, but at the same time, with more passion and more energy that allowed us to dominate the game and score our goals.

"This is the first time that the team won in New England and that means a lot of respect for the players to that achieve that."

Nashville are ninth in the same East table, though only sit ahead of CF Montreal on goal difference.

They have lost their last four matches against Inter Miami, Columbus Crew, Portland Timbers and D.C. United, however, and must improve at home if they are to end that run here.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Hany Mukhtar has nine goal contributions (four goals, five assists) in eight regular-season matches against Orlando.

The Nashville forward has only recorded more goal contributions against one opponent in his MLS career – 12 versus Atlanta United.

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Facundo Torres has recorded two goal contributions in each of his last two matches, including scoring a brace against New England on Saturday.

This is the fourth time Torres has registered multiple goal contributions in consecutive league matches, something no other Orlando player has managed more than once.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The Opta supercomputer predicted a Nashville victory as the most likely result, however a draw appears more probable in this clash.

Nashville had suffered just five defeats in their first 19 regular-season matches in 2024 but have now lost four straight matches in all competitions for the first time in club history.

Orlando have also won their last three meetings with Nashville, including a two-match sweep in last season's playoffs.

The Lions have won four of their last five matches (L1), too, after winning four of just 18 league games prior in 2024, including wins in their previous three in a row – only twice enjoying longer victorious streaks.

However, Nashville cannot be completely ignored considering they had gone unbeaten in their previous eight against Orlando in all competitions (W3 D5) before their three-game losing streak recently.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville SC win – 43.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Orlando City win – 29.5%

Chicago Fire Frank Klopas is pleased with the impact his attacking players have been working together this season and is looking forward to seeing how they fare against Orlando City.

The Fire are level on points with their hosts heading into the game on Saturday but sit above them due to their superior goal difference.

Chicago are currently on a four-match unbeaten streak, winning each of their last two matches, with Klopas praising his players for finding their attacking groove in recent weeks.

"Going to Orlando, especially in this heat, we have to be good on the ball, it's so important, and we've worked hard on that," Klopas said. "The team is in a good moment, and they're also working extremely hard and that's very important to me.

"We've been dangerous in games when we work as a unit and quickly transition.

"It's been a big focus of ours from the beginning of the season to get more opportunities, and we've done a much better job with that, and we're showing our ability to finish chances."

Orlando are in 14th but will leapfrog their opponents with a win. However, they will need to snap a five-match winless streak in order to do that.

Head coach Oscar Pareja was once again left to lament late lapses of concentration in their 2-2 draw with Charlotte FC and is hoping to improve that against the Fire.

"It has happened in recent games where we dominate possession that we concede late goals," the head coach said.

"I think our vigilance is getting better, but [against Charlotte] we lost two duels, and they found a way to hurt us. We need to get better about controlling possession."

PLAYER TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres, who scored Orlando's equalizer on Wednesday against Charlotte, has scored four goals in five career MLS matches against the Fire, tied for his most against any opponent (also four vs the New York Red Bulls).

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

Cuypers has recorded a goal contribution in each of his last four appearances for the Fire, the first player to do so for the club since Robert Beric in 2020 (five straight).

Chicago has posted a record of W3 D3 L1 in matches in which Cuypers has been involved in a goal this season and W1 D3 L7 when he has not.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando are unbeaten in six straight matches against the Fire (W4 D2), though Chicago did manage a home draw when the sides met on May 29. The Lions have just one longer regular-season unbeaten run against a single opponent, going eight straight without defeat vs. Toronto FC from 2019-23.

However, Orlando have lost four of their last five home matches, including each of the last two. They had suffered just one defeat in their previous 16 regular-season home matches (W9 D6) before this run.

Meanwhile, Chicago have recorded back-to-back wins after winning just two of their first 16 matches this season (D6 L8). The Fire have netted six times over the two wins after scoring six total goals in their previous 11 games.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 54%

Draw – 23.6%

Chicago Fire – 22.4%

Emil Forsberg has praised the New York Red Bulls' confident attacking threat ahead of their game against Orlando City on Saturday.

The Red Bulls currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference, only behind city rivals New York City FC due to having one less win than them this season.

They bounced back in style from their derby defeat to NYCFC in midweek, beating Charlotte FC 3-1 with an impressive second-half performance.

Forsberg was full of praise for the way his team play, particularly in the final third.

"When we play with tempo, it's hard to get us," he said. "And I think that's the most important thing - to play with confidence.

"When we are straightforward, that's key for us. When we win the ball, we put those hard passes forward and go with everybody."

Orlando City, meanwhile, sit eight points below them in 11th after winning just one of their last four matches.

While they only drew with Chicago Fire on Wednesday, they did end a run of three games without hitting the back of the net.

Oscar Pareja reiterated the Lions’s need to improve if they want to reach the final series.

He said: "It's important that we can keep our minds calm and see the things that we need to get better. We take [the draw against Chicago Fire] and look to improve against New York."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York Red Bulls – Emil Forsberg

Forsberg scored goals one minute and 45 seconds apart in the Red Bulls' win on Wednesday. It was the fastest two goals by a Red Bulls player since Daniel Royer scored one minute and 43 seconds apart against Seattle Sounders in July 2017.

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres has scored four goals against the Red Bulls in regular-season play, tied for his most against any opponent along with Chicago Fire, whom he scored against on Wednesday.

MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN

The Red Bulls have not lost any of their last nine MLS home matches (W6 D3, incl. playoffs) dating back to last October. New York has not had a longer home unbeaten run in MLS play (incl. playoffs) since a 14-game streak in April-October 2016.

However, Orlando are unbeaten in five matches against the Red Bulls in all competitions (W4 D1) after having never gone more than two in a row without a loss against New York before.

Orlando have lost only six of their 24 regular-season away matches since the start of last season, including going unbeaten in five straight on the road. Only FC Cincinnati (four) have fewer road losses since the start of last season than the Lions (tied with Real Salt Lake).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York Red Bulls – 51.3%

Draw – 24.7%

Orlando City – 23.9%

Arsenal contacted Orlando City regarding Facundo Torres ahead of the World Cup, the forward has revealed.

The 22-year-old has caught the eye in MLS since joining in January 2022, scoring nine goals and contributing eight assists in 33 appearances in his inaugural season.

A move to Europe has been touted for the Uruguay international ever since his days in his homeland with Penarol and Arsenal have been attributed with a long-term interest in his services.

The Gunners missed out on Mykhaylo Mudryk to London rivals Chelsea, who swooped in to beat the Premier League leaders in the hunt for the Ukraine winger, but remain in the market for additions to bolster their squad.

Torres has opened the door for a fresh approach, expressing his desire to play in the Premier League.

"Orlando City confirmed to me that there was contact with Arsenal, but then I left for the World Cup and I didn’t want to hear about a potential transfer at that point," he told 90Min.

"So, the conversation stayed there but now that I am back with the team, we will see where the conversation goes.

"I would love to play in Europe. It's a dream I've had since I was a kid. At the moment I am focused on Orlando City.

"But La Liga or Premier League would be my targets, and that's where the rumours are coming from. But yeah, I would absolutely love that."

Uruguay face Bolivia in the Copa America on Thursday and need Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez to start producing in attack.

After losing their opening match to Argentina, Oscar Tabarez's men drew 1-1 with Chile on matchday two to breathe a bit of life into their campaign.

The goal was their first since November 2020, yet it came via Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, who turned into his own net under pressure from Suarez.

Uruguay's problems in attack are clear: they have the lowest shooting accuracy at the Copa America (20 per cent), and the worst shot conversion rate (five per cent).

That is in spite of the fact they boast a strike partnership in Suarez and Cavani who have plundered 114 international goals between them. They have only managed a combined seven shots at these finals, six of which came against Chile.

Uruguay do, at least, have a strong recent record against Bolivia, who have lost to Paraguay and Chile at this tournament and only won one of their past 12 meetings with La Celeste – a qualifier for the 2014 World Cup.

Indeed, Bolivia are on a 10-game winless run in Copa America matches played in Brazil and have not beaten Uruguay at a neutral venue since 1949.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bolivia – Roberto Fernandez

Fernandez belied his inexperience with a strong performance against Chile, making six clearances and four interceptions at left-back, with only two team-mates having more than his 67 touches of the ball.

He could find himself in with a tough battle against Federico Valverde down the Uruguay right.

Uruguay – Facundo Torres

Torres attempted three shots and created two chances against Chile, as many as Cavani managed, despite the 21-year-old only coming on for the final 30 minutes.

This could be a good opportunity for Tabarez to hand the Penarol forward a chance to impress from the start.

KEY OPTA FACTS

- Uruguay have lost only one of their past 12 games against Bolivia in all competitions (W8 D3), 1-0 in La Paz in World Cup 2014 qualifying. 
- Uruguay have won 11 of their 13 games against Bolivia at neutral venues (D1 L1). The only win for Bolivia was in 1949, 3-2 in Rio de Janeiro in the Copa America.
- Bolivia have lost their past five games and have failed to win in their previous 10 Copa America matches played in Brazil (D2 L8). They have won only four games in the competition in this country, all of them at the 1949 edition.
- Bolivia have the lowest possession average (31.2 per cent) but the highest forward passes percentage (39.4 per cent of their 597 total passes) at the tournament.
- Uruguay have the lowest shooting accuracy at the Copa America 2021: only the 20 per cent (4/20) of their shots have been on target. They have the lowest shot conversion rate, too (five per cent).