Philadelphia Union host Charlotte in battle for top spots in Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Union host Charlotte in Matchday 30 of MLS for the 2026 season, on 17 October 2026 at 9:30 pm Damascus time, with the match broadcast on Apple TV.

Philadelphia Union go into the match on the back of a series of positive results, having won their last five matches, the most recent of which was a 3-1 away win over Chicago Fire on 15 October. They had previously beaten Real Salt Lake 2-1, Orlando City 4-2, Sporting Kansas City 4-3, and San Diego 5-0.

In contrast, Charlotte's results have been mixed in recent rounds, as they lost their last match against Columbus Crew 1-3 on 15 October, after beating Dallas 3-2, losing to Chicago Fire 0-1, beating D.C. United 2-1, and drawing with Cincinnati 3-3.

In the head-to-head record between the two sides, Charlotte have had the upper hand in the last two meetings, winning 2-1 on 5 April 2026, and also winning 2-0 on 19 October 2025, while Philadelphia Union won 2-1 on 15 June 2025, and also won 1-0 on 28 July 2024, while Charlotte won 2-0 on 23 June 2024.

Philadelphia Union will be without Augustine Anello due to injury, while Charlotte will be missing N Bertschamas, Archie Stewart, Win Godwin, and E John due to injury, in addition to A. Doukoure being out for other reasons.

According to the Eastern Conference standings table, Charlotte occupy fifth place with 46 points from 29 matches, one point ahead of Philadelphia Union who are sixth with 45 points from the same number of matches. Charlotte have won 13 matches, drawn 7, and lost 9, scoring 51 goals and conceding 43, while Philadelphia Union have won 13 matches, drawn 6, and lost 10, scoring 59 goals and conceding 46.