Orlando City vs Charlotte Fc Picks and Predictions May 14th 2025

Charlotte, Orlando Face Pressing Issues Keeping Them From Winning

As Charlotte FC and Orlando City SC gear up for their clash on Wednesday night in Florida, both squads are facing familiar but frustrating challenges. For Charlotte, it’s a steep decline after a strong start. For Orlando, it’s a lack of attacking efficiency despite recent stability.

Charlotte’s Slide Raises Concerns

Charlotte FC (6-5-1, 19 points) opened the 2025 MLS season with promise, but that momentum has fizzled. Dean Smith’s team has now dropped three straight matches, and goals have been hard to come by.

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Wilfried Zaha, the team’s marquee attacker, has just three goals so far, despite firing off 11 shots in his last four matches. While coach Smith maintains confidence in Zaha’s improving form, the expectations remain high.

“I think his performances are getting better. But, ultimately, he gets judged on goals and assists,”
— Dean Smith, Charlotte Head Coach

Lineup changes haven’t helped much either. Defender Tim Ream started at centerback against Nashville but was later involved in a goal against, fueling criticism that Smith brushed aside.

“If people are looking to make Tim Ream the scapegoat at the moment, they are off target.”

Charlotte’s pressing issues make them a risky pick for MLS predictions this week, especially on the road against an Orlando squad hungry to break its own cycle of inconsistency.

Orlando’s Unbeaten Run Feels Hollow

Orlando City (4-2-6, 18 points) may be unbeaten in nine straight MLS matches, but only one win in their last six contests tells a less flattering story. That stretch includes four scoreless draws, a clear indicator of their offensive struggles.

Saturday’s 3-3 draw against the New England Revolution offered a glimmer of hope, thanks to Martin Ojeda’s first career hat trick.

“We started seeing that spark on him again,”
— Oscar Pareja, Orlando Head Coach

Ojeda acknowledged the team still has plenty of work to do:

“We have to keep working hard during the week and try and find those moments in the game to be more efficient.”

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Pareja echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of finding the right balance between offense and defensive structure.

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Key Absences and Adjustments

Charlotte will again be without forward Tyger Smalls, sidelined with a knee issue. Smith hinted he could return this weekend, but his absence will be felt on Wednesday.

For Orlando, the hope is that Ojeda’s breakout performance can provide the offensive spark that has eluded them for much of the season.