Charlotte FC heads to Orlando for winner-take-all Game 3 in first MLS Cup playoff series
Charlotte FC has a shot to win its first MLS Cup playoff series in franchise history Saturday night in Orlando.
The Queen City’s professional soccer team — which plays Orlando City in the decisive postseason match of a best-of-three series at 6 p.m. Saturday — showed patience and intensity throughout its 3-1 victory on penalty kicks following a 0-0 draw on Nov. 1. While Orlando won the possession battle and kept it scoreless throughout regulation, Charlotte’s most reliable scorers and star goalie were clutch, and the team feels confident.
Adilson Malanda, the 23-year-old French defender for Charlotte, said the biggest difference between the first two matches of the franchise’s playoff series was simply the team’s energy. While the home fans provided a jolt of their own, the Queen City side’s defense rose to the moment and is confident in another opportunity to shut down a strong Orlando team.
“We showed it last week that we achieved the playoffs, not just to play them,” Malanda said at Wednesday’s practice. “We want to go as far as we can. I think we earned this third game, and we look to win it and go onto the next round.
“We know we have a complete group ready to play. We are fighting every day. It’s a good concurrence, as every player is ready to play in those kinds of games. And that’s what we need. The players who start are not the only ones who do the job; We need everyone to be ready.”
Charlotte FC looks to keep up energy on Saturday
Dean Smith had a message for Charlotte FC before it forced Game 3 in its historic playoff series.
Charlotte got eight shots off in a 2-0 loss in its playoff-opening match at Orlando, but the energy following the team’s first home playoff victory has the players and staff feeling more assured heading into their elimination game of Round One.
Orlando is a physical soccer team with a commanding presence both on and off the ball. The Eastern Conference teams could be in for another battle in their winner-take-all postseason match on Saturday evening, and Smith feels the Queen City side’s energy could be what makes the difference.
“The most we got out of players was ‘five’ or ‘six’ out of ‘10s,’ which is never going to win you a playoff game,” Smith said he told the team earlier in the week. “I thought we got ‘eight’ out of ‘10s’ (Friday). And when you get that, you get a performance like that.”
How to watch and stream Charlotte FC in Game 3 of MLS playoffs
Matchup: Charlotte FC at Orlando City SC
Date: Saturday, Nov. 9
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Streaming: Apple TV — MLS Season Pass
Place: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida
