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%

Troy Lesesne believes D.C. United's confidence is as high as it has been all season ahead of their crucial Decision-Day meeting with Charlotte FC.

D.C. need a point to clinch a playoff place for the first time since 2019, which would end their joint-longest playoff drought (also four years between 2008 and 2011).

They are in contention with CF Montreal and the Philadelphia Union, with two wild-card spots still to be decided on the final matchday in the Eastern Conference, after recording back-to-back victories over Nashville SC (4-3) and the New England Revolution (2-1).

"When challenges come – and we've had many this year – it's easy for us to use those as excuses and pack it up," Lesesne told reporters.

"But our group has never done that, just look at all the things we've gone through this year, the mental endurance that these guys have displayed to be in this position...

"You learn so much about yourself and your players and I'm really proud of the group.

"You expected all along that it would go right down to the last game, but the confidence of this team right now seems to be at the highest it has been all year."

Charlotte, on the other hand, have already confirmed their postseason spot, though a victory could see them move from sixth to fifth and improve their playoff seeding. 

"I know this game is more for seeding than anything else, but the main thing for us is to keep this going," forward Patrick Agyemang said.

"The main thing is to just continue on the road we're on, which is positive results. We want the season to end with a bang to put us in a good position for the playoffs."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Benteke has scored 23 goals this season, equalling Raul Diaz Arce (1996) for the most in a single season in D.C.'s MLS history. 

His nine headed goals, meanwhile, are tied for the second-most in a single year by any player since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010, behind Josef Martinez's 10 in 2018. Can he draw level with the Venezuelan? 

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang 

Agyemang's goal for Charlotte last Saturday, in a 2-0 win over Montreal, was his 15th goal contribution of the season (nine goals, six assists). 

He is one goal contribution shy of the single-season club record of 16, achieved by Karol Swiderski in each of the team's first two MLS campaigns.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The home side has not lost any of the five previous meetings between D.C. and Charlotte, with D.C. recording a pair of 3-0 wins in their two home matches against the Crown. 

Charlotte, though, have lost only four of their last 11 regular-season away matches dating back to the beginning of May (four wins, three draws). 

D.C. United only need a point to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2019, ending a four-year postseason drought, and with home advantage on their side, they should get it.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 37.1%

Charlotte FC – 36.6%

Draw – 26.3%

Charlotte FC must embrace the challenge of facing the best team in MLS when they take on Inter Miami on Saturday.

That is the view of full-back Nathan Byrne, who this week penned a new contract with Dean Smith's team.

Charlotte head south this weekend to play Miami, who are in the hunt for the regular-season points record in MLS.

A win for Charlotte could see them clinch a playoff spot. 

"If we want to win things this season, then you have to play against the best teams and the best players," he said.

"It's just another challenge and we are going to go into it with full confidence."

Reflecting on his new deal, Byrne said: "Charlotte is a place I have really enjoyed my football over the last two years, and there is no place I'd rather continue my career. We have a great group of guys that want to accomplish something special, and that begins now with this run-in to the playoffs."

Smith, meanwhile, wants to see a level of consistency from his side, after they snapped a six-game windless run in MLS by thrashing the New England Revolution 4-0 last time out.

"You're after consistency from your players," he added.

"I'd much rather have a seven out of 10 every week than a five one week and a nine the next. You want consistency because you can build on that and improve."

Miami are unbeaten in 13 league games, though they need to take 10 points from their last four matches to break the league's regular-season points record of 73, which was set by New England in 2021.

The Herons drew 1-1 against New York City FC last time out, with coach Gerardo Martino left to fume at the officiating.

"The team didn't lack anything, but the match lacked a good referee," said Martino after that game. "We had a good game, we should've won."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami - Lionel Messi

Messi has scored at least one goal in eight of his last nine home matches for Inter Miami in all competitions, scoring 10 total goals in those games, including finding the net in each of his last three at Chase Stadium.

Charlotte FC - Patrick Agyemang

Agyemang came off the bench to record a goal and two assists in Charlotte's win over New England on Saturday.

He is the third player in MLS this season, and first ever for Charlotte, to record three goal contributions in a match as a substitute.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

For all his quality, Miami have won only one of the last five matches Messi has played dating back to late May (D3 L1). In the 13 matches Messi has missed in all competitions in that time, Miami have posted a record of W10 D0 L3.

However, Miami are unbeaten in three all-time home matches against Charlotte (W2 D1).

In fact, the only road win in the six all-time meetings between the sides was Miami's 2-1 victory at Charlotte on July 3 this year.

Charlotte ended an eight-match winless run in all competitions (D4 L4) with a 4-0 win over New England on Saturday. The four-goal win equalled Charlotte's largest-ever margin of victory along with a 5-1 win over the Richmond Kickers in the US Open Cup and a 4-0 league win over the Philadelphia Union, which both came in 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami - 59.9%

Charlotte - 19.1%

Draw - 21%

Dean Smith knows Charlotte FC must start producing in the final third if they are to cling onto an MLS Cup Playoff spot, starting with Saturday's meeting with the New England Revolution.

Charlotte sit seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, boasting a five-point cushion to those outside the playoff places, but they have struggled since the Leagues Cup break.

Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Orlando City was their third loss in succession, and they have only scored twice in four games since returning to MLS play, leaving Smith frustrated.

"At the moment we're having to work really hard to stay in a game, because we're not creating enough big chances, we're not scoring enough goals full stop," Smith said.

"So I was really frustrated. As I say, that's something that's probably crept in over the last four games since we came back from the break.

"We've only scored two goals in the last four games since the Leagues Cup and I feel some of the players are struggling to find their form and their confidence at the moment.

"At this point of the season, that little bit of a lack of concentration has been disappointing."

New England, meanwhile, threw away a 2-0 lead in their 2-2 midweek draw with CF Montreal, a result that leaves them five points adrift of the playoff picture at the foot of the Eastern Conference.

"It's another disappointing result. That's six points we've dropped in our last three home games," Porter said. "We could have been in a much different situation.

"We've got to pick ourselves back up and continue to look at the good, but as I told the guys, I'm tired of seeing them fall off in the second halves."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang

With the hosts struggling for goals, they may need Agyemang to step up. He started on the bench last time out and has appeared as a substitute eight times this season, yet his seven goals are still more than any of his team-mates.

New England Revolution – Carles Gil

Gil laid on an assist as the Revs drew with Montreal last time out, his 10th in 22 appearances this season – more than any other Revs player.

MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE FC WIN

Charlotte are winless in their last six regular-season matches, registering three straight draws then being defeated in each of their last three, having won four of their previous six before this run began.

New England have not fared much better of late, though, going four league games without a win (two draws, two defeats) and only winning one of their last nine (three draws, five losses).

No team in the Eastern Conference has lost more away games than the Revs' nine this term, so this match could come at a good time for Charlotte.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 51.5%

New England Revolution – 23.8% 

Draw – 24.7%

Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith believes his team have evolved as they aim to go three games without defeat against Austin FC.

The Crown came from behind to draw 1-1 with Columbus Crew on Wednesday, which followed an impressive 3-1 victory over high-flying FC Cincinnati last weekend.

Charlotte sit sixth in the Eastern Conference and a win on Saturday could see them move higher if other results go their way.

Smith noted how impressed he has been with the team's progress in recent weeks and backed them to get the job done this weekend.

"I think we've evolved as a team," Smith said. "As well as being really good without the ball, I think we're starting to learn how to use it a little bit better.

"[The players] believe in the way we play and the structure. I think the big thing is that there is belief in going and competing against these teams."

Meanwhile, Austin are 10th in the Western Conference, having lost their last two matches with a man sent off in both.

Having won just two of their last 10 games in MLS, head coach Josh Wolff admitted they needed to improve their discipline if they wanted to stay in with a chance of reaching the playoffs.

"We need to keep 11 guys on the field is the first thing," Wolff said, "that gives us a better chance.

"Discipline outside the red cards is also important. We have to make plays - getting a little more quality will help us, but we have to execute better by scoring goals.

"We do a lot of things good, but we can't shoot ourselves in the foot."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin – Gyasi Zardes

Gyasi Zardes has scored each of Austin's last three goals, with a brace against New York City FC prior to his goal against Dallas on Wednesday.

Zardes is the first Austin player to score three consecutive team goals since he, himself, did so in May 2023.

Charlotte – Patrick Agyemang

Patrick Agyemang has scored four goals in his last four matches for Charlotte, including each of the last two.

The only player in Charlotte FC's MLS history to score in three straight league matches is Karol Swiderski in October 2023.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Austin won the only previous meeting between the sides, 1-0, in Charlotte in June 2022. Daniel Pereira scored the game's only goal from outside the box in the 62nd minute.

Over the last year (since July 21, 2023), Austin have lost 18 of their 37 matches in all competitions (nine wins, 10 draws). The Verde were held to one or zero goals in 24 of those games, including their 3-1 loss to FC Dallas on Wednesday.

Charlotte have collected 13 points from their last seven away matches (four wins, one draw, two losses), including a 1-1 draw at reigning MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew on Wednesday. Charlotte had totaled just eight points in their previous 15 regular-season away matches dating back to last May (one win, five draws, nine defeats).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin – 34.6%

Draw – 25.9%

Charlotte – 39.6%

Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith believes his side would be in the top three of the Eastern Conference if they had taken several of their big chances ahead of their meeting with FC Cincinnati.

The Crown were beaten 2-1 in their last MLS fixture against Inter Miami last time out, with goalscorer Patrick Agyemang sent off late on at the Bank of America Stadium.

The result leaves them in sixth place, three points behind New York City, a position Smith believes could be significantly better had his side taken their opportunities in recent weeks.

“I think we are missing too many chances in too many games,” Smith said. “If we were taking those chances we would be in the top three for sure.

“With the way we’ve played in games and the way we have restricted the opposition and some of the big chances we’ve missed, that has been our biggest problem.

“We are always looking to bring people in who can come and improve the team. But we’re working hard with the players on the roster to improve them as well.

“That’s part of the coaching job.”

Cincinnati, however, enjoyed a positive result against the same opponents in their top of the table clash at the TQL Stadium last time out.

The Orange and Blue thumped Inter Miami 6-1 to go to the summit of the Eastern Conference, earning them a third consecutive victory in the process. 

However, head coach Pat Noonan believes their battle with the Herons in August will be a completely different affair as they were without Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who were both away on international duty at the Copa America.

“You have to beat good teams if you want to be at the top of the table, at the top of the conference, and playing home games in the playoffs," Noonan said.

"Guys stepped up tonight with both teams missing key pieces. We won't look past that.

"We'll see them at the end of August. It'll look entirely different based on likely personnel. So, they still have a very strong team. And that's why I'm very pleased about the performance."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

In Cincinnati’s triumph over Inter Miami, Acosta was the star man for the home side, scoring a goal and providing two assists during the encounter at the TQL Stadium.

Acosta now has 10 goals and 17 assists this season, the third time he has registered over 25 goal contributions in the MLS. The only other player in MLS history to hit those marks in three seasons was Sebastian Giovinco in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

Charlotte FC – Kerwin Vargas

With top scorer Patrick Agyemang suspended for the trip to the TQL Stadium, Kerwin Vargas looks likely to lead the line for Charlotte.

The Colombian has four goals and two assists so far this season and will be key for Smith’s side to end their losing streak. Should he find the back of the net, he will take his overall tally for the Crown into double figures on his 72nd appearance for the club.

MATCH PREDICTION: CINCINNATI WIN

Cincinnati come into the game on the back of an impressive run in the league, winning 12 of their previous 14 MLS fixtures, becoming only the second team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) to do so after Seattle in 2018.

Nine of those 12 wins have been by a one-goal margin, and their record against Charlotte will give them confidence of remaining top of the Eastern Conference table having gone unbeaten in their previous four encounters (W2 D2).

Charlotte’s defeat to Inter Miami last time out saw them record back-to-back losses after losing just one of their previous 10 matches (W6 D3). It’s been over a year since Charlotte lost three straight matches, doing so in its first four matches of the 2023 season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Cincinnati – 59.6%

Draw – 21.1%

Charlotte FC – 19.3%