Charlotte FC could secure a place in the playoffs with their hosts Chicago fire at Bank of America Stadium for Wednesday night’s Major League Soccer game.

With three games to go, Dean Smith’s men sit seventh in the Eastern Conference and could secure a place in the top seven with a win against a side that has had little to nothing to contend with this season.

Game preview

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While Charlotte’s recent draw at Inter Miami continued their winning streak on the road, a point for the overall leading MLS side must be counted as one win rather than two losses.

Five games without a win on the road (two losses) threatened to derail the Crown’s postseason MLS Cup ambitions, and they return to North Carolina looking to improve those prospects in their penultimate home game.

Although they achieved a 4-0 victory in front of their fans in their last game, this victory followed a streak of four games without maximum points and a streak of one win in seven.

After taking four points from six available, Smith is hoping his team (42 points) will finish the regular season strong and is aiming to advance in the final rounds against Toronto, Philadelphia Union and Montreal (all three have 37 points ) to prevail and secure the coveted playoff spot.

Given the performances of Philadelphia and Montreal – the Union has taken seven points from nine and the latter has secured ten points from four games – Charlotte cannot rest on its laurels in the final game weeks.

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Smith will be hoping his team takes advantage of an opponent that enters Wednesday’s game on a three-game winning streak (two losses), with no hope of a top-seven finish or eighth or ninth place finish.

A more comprehensive look at the Fire’s results shows one win in eight MLS games, five losses and a draw against New York City (2-2) and most recently against playoff-chasing Toronto (1-1).

Frank Klopas He failed to bring about a turnaround in an interim role last year as the Men in Red missed competition after the regular season and failed to produce an encouraging result as permanent head coach this season as the Illinois-based club was mathematically out of contention for seventh Place in Eastern – they are 12 points behind Charlotte – or ninth place, as they had a seven point difference after 32 of 34 games.

A dismal string of away results contributed to the Fire’s disappointing season, highlighted by two wins – a joint low in their division – and nine losses, bettered only by the New England Revolution.

After losing seven of nine away games before the midweek game against Charlotte, the away team fears another defeat in the final away game of the season.

Charlotte FC form in Major League Soccer:

Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:

Team news

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Smith is not expected to have done this Jahlane Forbes Charlotte is available due to a hip injury Nikola Petkovic could be out due to knee problems.

Despite being under pressure for most of the Inter Miami game, Nathan Byrne avoided a yellow card and is available for selection against Chicago Fire.

Hugo Cuypers was named for the Fire against Atlanta despite pre-match doubts, and the striker was able to lead the attack after seemingly surviving 75 minutes unscathed.

However, Chase Gasper, Andrew Gutman And Carlos Teran (the trio has leg problems) will be assessed before facing Charlotte.

Possible Charlotte FC starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Ream; Biel, Urso, Westwood, Abada; Swiderski, Bronico

Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Brady; Souquet, Omsberg, Czichos; Reynolds, Herbers, Gimenez, Acosta, Lassiter; Cuypers, Koutsias

We say: Charlotte FC 2:1 Chicago Fire

Charlotte has dominated recent matches against the Fire, rattling off four straight wins heading into Wednesday’s game, and they should secure another win against an opponent where nothing depends on the outcome in Illinois.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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