Carolina Ascent and Charlotte FC defend their turf on Saturday

CHARLOTTE FC

Kerwin Vargas and Pep Biel have much to celebrate with Charlotte FC, which is second in the MLS East after a 4-1 stretch going into Saturday's home match against San Diego FC.

Two of the hottest teams in American soccer will take the pitch in Charlotte on Saturday night.

They will be playing in different stadiums at the same time.

Top of the table in the USL Super League, the Carolina Ascent will be at American Legion Memorial Stadium at the same time Charlotte FC, third in the MLS Supporters Shield standings and second in the Eastern Conference, kicks off 2 miles away at Bank of America Stadium. 

In fact, the matches will include opposition that’s also trending up. While the Ascent have won their last four matches by a 13-0 goal difference, the Spokane Zephyr are making a late charge to move from sixth place into the top four after winning their last three games and four of the last five, including a draw. Their goal margin in those five is 9-1. Their last four matches have also been clean sheets.

Going up against Charlotte FC for the first time ever will be debutants San Diego FC who have charged out of the gate with a 4-2-2 record in their initial eight games. They are third in the MLS West on 14 points behind Vancouver and Minnesota. They are level with Portland and Colorado but have been one of the top scoring teams with 15 goals, which has them ahead on differential.

Defending the Fortress

On form, the Crown are third in the league with four wins against one loss in their last five matches, including their first road win law week at Montreal. They are the only team in MLS to have won every home game (4-0).

San Diego are ranked seventh, with two wins, two losses, and a draw in their last five. Last time out, they lost 3-2 at Colorado, the same side that beat the Crown 2-0 on March 29. The only other mutual foe has been Seattle. CLTFC drew 2-2 at Seattle in the season opener. San Diego throttled the Sounders 3-0 at home two weeks ago.

Questionable for Charlotte due to a sore neck as of Thursday is right back Nathan Byrne, who has been an influential player in Charlotte’s success. His ability to get on the attack and cross balls in is equaled by his determination and pace on defense to protect goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina’s right side. Byrne’s play has been steady and breeds confidence across the back line and midfield. It will be interesting to see how the Crown adapts if the former Derby County man can’t go.

Things could be further complicated if centerback and sometimes left back Tim Ream is also a scratch. Suffering a chest injury that coach Dean Smith was unable to be more specific about, it was hoped that Ream would be able to rejoin training on Friday and that he and Byrne would be available for Saturday.

“If Nathan don't come through, then you're looking at [Nick] Scardina,” Smith said. “[Andrew] Privett can play there as well. So, we've got a number of people who could play there.”
Regarding the first-time opponent, Smith is impressed with San Diego’s start.

“They’re a good team,” he said. “I've liked what I've seen from them so far. Got a good way of playing. Look well coached.” Smith added he was familiar with a good portion of their roster from his time coaching in England, noting former Middlesbrough defender Paddy McNair and the Danish players on the squad, which includes the trio of Jeppe Tverskov, Marcus Invartsen, and Anders Dreyer.

Familiar to the broader base of Charlotte fans will be former Crown players Hamady Diop and Pablo Sisniega. Diop was a top 2023 SuperDraft pick by Charlotte out of Clemson and taken first by San Diego in the 2024 expansion draft. Sisniega played in five matches for Charlotte during the 2022 and 2023 seasons and one for Crown Legacy. Neither has yet to play for San Diego.

Another Charlotte connection is former Charlotte 49er and Ardrey Kell High star Ian Pilcher, who was taken by San Diego in the first round of the 2025 SuperDraft. He has played in four matches, with a start so far.

Defending the summit

This is not the same Spokane the Ascent beat 2-1 on March 8. They have continued to improve, scoring seven goals in their last four matches, which were all shutouts as well.

Carolina has gone 6-2-1 since the return from break and is not far from clinching a playoff berth. Spokane has gone 6-1-1 after going 2-6-6 in the first half of the season. 

This is not a must-win game by any definition but, at home, it would certainly help Carolina drive their flag at the Super League summit further into the ground. After Spokane on Saturday, the Ascent have a tough run to close the regular season, facing the four teams immediately below them in the table – Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, Brooklyn, and Dallas. Spokane could jump into the top four with an upset.

How to watch both

If you’re attending one of the games and want to watch the other, or have two screens available, here’s where you can tune them in.

The Ascent-Zephyr match will stream on Peacock while Charlotte FC will air on Apple TV’s MLS channel.

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