Saturday, June 14

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Sports Mole previews Saturday's MLS clash between Philadelphia Union and Charlotte FC, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Aiming to stretch their lead at the top end of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference standings, Philadelphia Union will welcome Charlotte FC to Subaru Park on Saturday.

 

The hosts sit four points clear atop the division in the midst of a nine-match league unbeaten run, while their visitors find themselves eighth after a return to winning ways last time out.

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Match preview

Philadelphia Union return to MLS action on Saturday aiming to move further clear at the top of the Eastern Conference, having enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 campaign after missing out on the playoffs last year.

They currently sit four points ahead of second spot having amassed 34 points from their opening 17 outings, winning 10 and losing just three of those, with the most recent of those defeats coming in mid-April.

Bradley Carnell's side have since gone nine games unbeaten in the league and 11 unbeaten across all competitions, most recently adding five points to their tally in the last three attempts, following up a 3-3 draw against Inter Miami with a 2-1 triumph over Toronto FC thanks to goals from Nathan Harriel and Kai Wagner.

A trip to FC Dallas then followed last time out, but the Union were only able to leave with a slightly underwhelming point from a goalless draw, after the hosts were reduced to 10 men late in the first half.

Still leading second-placed FC Cincinnati by four points after 17 games, Philadelphia Union will now bid to extend their impressive run and get back to winning ways to further strengthen their hold on top spot.

Their visitors, meanwhile, make the trip at the weekend aiming to break into the top seven with a second straight victory.

After a fifth-placed conference finish and first-round playoff exit last time around, Charlotte FC currently find themselves eighth having earned 25 points from their first 17 outings, having won eight and lost eight of those.

The Crown dropped down the table following three straight defeats in mid-May, but they have shown signs of improvement since, firstly ending the rut with a 3-2 home triumph over Columbus Crew.

A 4-2 away loss to New York Red Bulls did follow, but Dean Smith's side bounced back and made it two wins from three games last time out, visiting Toronto FC and prevailing in a 2-0 triumph thanks to goals from Pep Biel and Patrick Agyemang.

Now sitting eighth and trailing New York Red Bulls and Orlando City in the top seven by just two points, Charlotte FC will aim to make it back-to-back three-point hauls to climb into the playoff spots at the weekend.

Philadelphia Union form (all competitions):

WWWDWD

Charlotte FC form (all competitions):

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Team News

Philadelphia Union head into the weekend without Quinn Sullivan, Andre Blake, Nathan Harriel and Danley Jean Jacques, all of whom are away on international duty.

Mikael Uhre may also miss out through injury alongside Ian Glavinovich, meaning Tai Baribo should return to lead the attack from the outset having netted a league-high tally of 13 MLS goals so far this season.

In Jacques's absence, Jovan Lukic should rejoin Jesus Bueno in the engine room, while Jakob Glesnes will likely take Harriel's spot in defence.

Dean Smith will field a similar Charlotte FC starting XI from their away win last time out, although striker Patrick Agyemang and defender Tim Ream are away on international duty, while Nathan Byrne and Nimfasha Berchimas remain sidelined by injuries.

In the absence of top scorer Agyemang, who scored their second goal against Toronto, Kerwin Vargas and Tyger Smalls will compete for an attacking spot, while Wilfried Zaha, Pep Biel and Liel Abada are bound to continue in a dangerous trio in a 4-2-3-1 setup.

Brandt Bronico should again join key man Ashley Westwood at the base of the midfield, while Andrew Privett and Adilson Malanda will both keep their places in the middle of the defence.

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:

Rick; Westfield, Makhanya, Glesnes, Wagner; Bedoya, Bueno, Lukic, Bender; Donovan, Baribo

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:

Bingham; Marshall-Rutty, Malanda, Privett, Doumbia; Westwood, Bronico; Abada, Biel, Zaha; Agyemang

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We say: Philadelphia Union 1-1 Charlotte FC

 

Charlotte FC have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks and could make their quality count to share the points against a Philadelphia Union side weakened by injuries and international call-ups.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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