Charlotte Fc vs Philadelphia Union Picks and Predictions October 18th 2025

Charlotte FC vs Philadelphia Union Match Preview

The Charlotte FC will look to secure a top-four seed and home-field advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs when they host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night. Both teams have already qualified for the postseason, but Charlotte still has plenty at stake, while Philadelphia can set a new club record for points.

Charlotte (18-13-2, 56 points) start the weekend in fourth place and can guarantee that position with a victory. A loss, however, could drop The Crown to as low as sixth depending on other results. After a 1-0 win at D.C. United earlier this month, Charlotte snapped a brief losing streak but will need a stronger overall performance to handle one of MLS’ most balanced teams.

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Line Movement and Odds

Charlotte opened as slight home favorites at +140, while Philadelphia are priced around +185 with a draw listed near +245. The total sits at 2.5 goals, with moderate action leaning toward the over given both sides’ recent attacking trends. Charlotte have hit the over in three of their past five home matches, while Philadelphia have gone over in four of their last six away fixtures.

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Matchup Breakdown

Charlotte FC’s 2025 campaign has been built on organization and key contributions from veteran players. Wilfried Zaha scored the decisive goal in their win at D.C. United, marking his ninth of the season. The club has been especially strong at home, where they’ve collected 10 of their 18 victories.

Midfielder Brandt Bronico emphasized the team’s mindset heading into Decision Day — focusing on finishing strong and maintaining consistency before the postseason. With attacking players like Zaha and Enzo Copetti capable of changing matches individually, Charlotte will aim to strike early and put pressure on the Union’s back line.

The Union (20-7-6, 66 points) enter as freshly crowned Supporters’ Shield winners for the second time in club history. While their seeding is locked, manager Bradley Carnell has challenged his squad to finish the regular season on a high note and surpass their previous points record of 67, set in 2022.

Philadelphia’s attack remains among the league’s most efficient, led by Tai Baribo’s 16 goals and Mikael Uhre’s recent surge — scoring in consecutive matches, including the game-winner against New York City FC that clinched the Shield.

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Key Storylines

Charlotte’s objective is straightforward: win and lock up home-field advantage. Manager Dean Smith’s side will rely heavily on defensive discipline against a Philadelphia attack that thrives on movement and quick combinations. The challenge will be to control possession without leaving gaps behind the midfield line.

For Philadelphia, Saturday offers the opportunity to celebrate consistency and depth. The Union have been difficult to break down defensively, conceding just 35 goals this season — second fewest in MLS. The match also serves as a tune-up for their upcoming first-round series, allowing Carnell to fine-tune rotations and tactical adjustments.

Prediction

Charlotte have been strong at Bank of America Stadium and will have added motivation with playoff positioning on the line. Philadelphia, meanwhile, may rotate slightly to manage fatigue but still possess enough quality to make this a tight contest. Expect an open, attacking match that could see both sides score.

Projected Score: Charlotte FC 2, Philadelphia Union 2
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score (-145)
Secondary Lean: Over 2.5 Goals (-120)

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