Orlando City SC v Charlotte FC: Perelman pledges full faith in hosts´ squad despite slow start

Interim Orlando City SC head coach Martin Perelman insisted that he had full faith in his group of players despite their poor start to their 2026 MLS campaign.

Orlando sit bottom of the Eastern Conference standings after eight games of the season with just four points, following last week’s 1-0 defeat to the Houston Dynamo.

The Lions had their chances at Inter&Co Stadium, most notably when Tiago hit the woodwork in the first half, but they were beaten by Hector Herrera’s 75th-minute strike.

For the second straight week, Orlando kept a clean sheet late into the match before conceding, this time 15 minutes from time. They have now gone 24 straight games allowing a goal, the longest streak in club history and the longest active streak in MLS.

And up next is a clash against high-flying Charlotte FC in midweek, though Perelman remained optimistic that the players at his disposal could turn their fortunes around.

“Yes, what you are saying is true, and everybody sees that,” Perelman told reporters.

“Unfortunately, we are experiencing some difficulties in terms of injuries and important players not being able to play. But we trust our roster. We trust our players, all of them.

“For me, it’s only about working, playing with the players, fighting and competing for this team, for this club, for our people, for our families and for us. This is the way we do it.”

Midweek Matchday at the Den

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) April 20, 2026

Charlotte, meanwhile, have taken 14 points from their opening eight matches and sit only behind Inter Miami and Nashville SC in the early-season standings in the East.

Idan Toklomati and Kerwin Vargas helped Dean Smith’s side to a 2-1 victory against New York City FC last time out, with both of their goals coming after a tepid first half.

The Crown have now netted 12 of their 15 goals this season after the break, which is the second most in MLS behind the Colorado Rapids (14), while only Toronto FC (11/13 – 84.6%) has scored a higher percentage of their goals after the opening 45 minutes.

But, more importantly for Smith, it was their first triumph on the road this term, having lost their opening two such games against St. Louis City SC and the LA Galaxy.

Charlotte’s victory over NYCFC was the first of a four-match stretch away from Bank of America Stadium, and Smith acknowledged the importance of their last win coming into their clash with Orlando.

“I think it was really important to get a result because the questions will keep coming if you don’t win a game away from home,” Smith said. “But we managed that last time out.

“I wasn’t particularly impressed with the first 25 minutes and had to tweak our system a little bit. I thought the last 15 minutes and the first part of the second half was a lot better.

“We were indebted to some good saves from our goalkeeper, but we showed a lot of spirit, and the players did well to hang on and get the result in the end.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando – Martin Ojeda

Orlando’s season has yet to take flight, and should they want to get out of their recent slump, they will need Ojeda to step up to the plate.

He has two goals in eight league appearances this season, more than any other Orlando player, while he has also created a team-high total number of chances (12).

Charlotte – Wilfried Zaha

Only Pep Biel (seven) and Toklomati (four) have more goal involvements in the MLS this season for Charlotte, and Zaha’s three (two goals, one assist).

In Charlotte’s win over NYCFC, Zaha ended with team-high totals for chances created (two), passes in the final third (14), duels won (six) and touches in the opposition box (five).

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO WIN

Orlando have lost only one of their 11 all-time MLS meetings with Charlotte (W5 D5, including two penalty-shootout wins), including knocking the Crown out in last season’s playoffs. Their only win over the Lions did come at Inter&Co Stadium, a 2-1 triumph in March 2023.

However, Orlando have just four points and a minus-19 goal difference through eight matches this season. The minus-19 goal difference is six worse than any other team through eight matches of a campaign in MLS history, with the second-worst (Sporting KC – minus-13) also happening this year.

Charlotte, meanwhile, have won five of their last eight regular-season away matches (D1 L2) dating back to last July. The Crown had won just three of their previous 18 road league games (D4 L11) going back to July 2024.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando – 41.8%

Draw – 26.7%

Charlotte – 31.5%