Columbus Crew

vs

Charlotte FC

Preview

Charlotte FC

• Charlotte FC have had the better of the two sides in the 2020s, but Columbus Crew can make The Crown work for their victory on Wednesday.
• Charlotte won the reverse fixture 3-1 on 15th August, 2026 and Dean Smith's disciplined, attack-minded side have the momentum to edge another result this week.
• However, Smith has built a very structured side that can be dangerous in transition.
• Kristijan Kahlina and Tim Ream are excellent ball-playing defenders that hold the structure of the team together and make The Crown tough to break through.
• Liel Abada adds pace and direct running from wide areas, which means there's always someone to stretch the defenders and allow Biel to drift into the half-spaces.

Columbus Crew

• The Black & Gold have been inconsistent over the course of the MLS 2026 campaign, but Laurent Courtois' more direct game has seen them pick up nine points from the last 5 matches (W3, L2), which includes wins over Inter Miami, CF Montréal and Orlando City.
• They are also through to the U.S. Open Cup final, where Josef Martinez's cutting edge will be a major factor with the veteran attacker opening his Columbus account in the semi-final with a fine performance.
• His veteran box presence should be a key factor here, as should Patrick Schulte's brilliance between the posts, but the game will be won or lost on the wing-backs.
• Mohamed Farsi is a powerful and creative option for Columbus, which is why they play with three at the back and wing-backs.

Head-to-Head

• Charlotte have the better of the recent head-to-head record, winning their last meeting 3-1 back in August 2026.
• The Crown come into the game in better form and higher in the MLS table than Columbus.
• The hosts have taken 9 points from their last five matches.

Key Players

• Josef Martinez's cutting edge will be a major factor with the veteran attacker opening his Columbus account in the semi-final with a fine performance.
• Patrick Schulte's brilliance between the posts.
• Mohamed Farsi is a powerful and creative option for Columbus, which is why they play with three at the back and wing-backs.
• Pep Biel is a fine creative outlet from central areas and he's their main goal threat.
• The Catalan playmaker has scored double-digit goals in MLS 2026 and looks a solid selection in the anytime scorer market.

Betting Insights

• The odds lean toward Columbus, but Columbus should still be favorites at 2.02 with Charlotte around 3.2 and the tie at 3.85.
• Taking the visitors to win in a lively game is the way to go here, while over 2.5 goals at 1.55 also appeals.
• Both teams to score at 1.48 is also good as there should be enough action to see both to get on the board.

Prediction

• The hosts should still have enough to make life awkward at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, where a home win is the obvious play here.
• However, Smith has built a very structured side that can be dangerous in transition.
• Taking the visitors to win in a lively game is the way to go here, while over 2.5 goals at 1.55 also appeals, and both teams to score looks likely.