Charlotte FC siap menjamu New England Revolution dalam pertandingan pekan ke-15 Major League Soccer di Stadion Bank of America pada Minggu, 24 Mei 2026.
Pertandingan ini menjadi laga terakhir bagi kedua tim Wilayah Timur sebelum kompetisi dihentikan sementara selama enam minggu demi menyambut jeda Piala Dunia FIFA.
New England Revolution saat ini berada di peringkat ketiga klasemen setelah meraih kemenangan atas Minnesota United pekan lalu, sementara Charlotte FC berada di posisi di bawahnya dengan rekor kandang 4-2-2 musim ini.
Tuan rumah dipastikan tampil tanpa Harry Toffolo akibat cedera tubuh bagian bawah, sedangkan tim tamu kehilangan Leo Campana, Ilay Feingold, Malcolm Fry, dan Brooklyn Raines yang terkena sanksi larangan bertanding.
Laga ini juga berpotensi menjadi penampilan terakhir penyerang Charlotte FC, Wilfried Zaha, yang kontraknya akan habis pada 30 Juni di tengah masa jeda kompetisi.
Pelatih kepala New England Revolution, Marko Mitrovic, memberikan pandangannya mengenai kekuatan lawan setelah memenangkan pertemuan pertama mereka dengan skor 1-0 pada awal Mei.
"I don’t think that there is something in those two weeks that is a big difference. [Charlotte FC] have a little bit different set up when they build up, but there’s tendencies in their game that it’s kind of similar. Defensively, also, I feel we know enough about them, and I also feel they know enough about us. That’s a team that has, as I said, strong tendencies in the way they defend and the way they attack. They have a lot of talent higher on the field that, once you give them the space, they can use that space easily and create situations for them. We’re just working toward that game and to be ready." kata Marko Mitrovic, Pelatih Kepala New England Revolution.
Asisten pelatih New England Revolution, Blair Gavin, kemudian menekankan pentingnya kebersamaan skuad untuk menghadapi tekanan dari pendukung tim lawan di stadion.
"I think the word that we use a lot is togetherness, and the group has really bought into that – not only on the field but off the field. You see in these games with difficult circumstances, whether it’s home or on the road, the group is sticking together, and it has been nice to watch. It gives you an extra little motivation to make a further run, or get a tackle, or win the ball. Those moments add up throughout a match, and it has been great to see." kata Blair Gavin, Asisten Pelatih New England Revolution.
Di kubu pemain, bek New England Revolution, Mamadou Fofana, menyatakan kesiapan timnya untuk mempertahankan performa dan mengamankan poin penuh di kandang Charlotte FC.
"We know it’s the last game. It’s very important for us to finish well, because now we are third [in the Eastern Conference] and we want to keep the same level. We have to stay together and work, and like I said, we will get what we need." ujar Mamadou Fofana, Bek New England Revolution.
Mamadou Fofana juga sempat mengomentari kekuatan permainan kolektif Charlotte FC saat diwawancarai oleh Field Level Media pasca-kemenangan tipis mereka sebelumnya.
"It wasn’t easy because they are a very good team. They play together, and they are compact. It’s always difficult to play against them. We know we’ll go to Charlotte with fans and everything, but the most important thing is trusting ourselves and continuing to do what we are doing now. I think we will take what we need." tambah Mamadou Fofana, Bek New England Revolution.
Di sisi lain, manajer Charlotte FC, Dean Smith, memberikan tanggapan terkait situasi kontrak Wilfried Zaha yang belum menemui titik temu menjelang laga penting ini.
"I don’t know where it is with Wilfried. I believe there’s been discussions going on. But we know we’re coming to a point where discussions are going one way or another. And, a decision will be made one way or another. But it won’t be made before Saturday. One thing I can say throughout all of this is his reaction to it all; he’s just kept playing. He loves playing football, and he loves being at Charlotte. Those are two things that I do know, and I don’t think we’ll see anything different from him." tutur Dean Smith, Manajer Charlotte FC.
Berdasarkan susunan pemain yang dilansir dari ysscores.com, pelatih Dean Smith akan menerapkan formasi 4-2-3-1 yang dipimpin oleh Westwood, sementara New England Revolution yang diasuh Marko Mitrovic menggunakan skema 4-3-3 dengan mengandalkan Gil di lini depan.
