Charlotte FC's MLS schedule released: Key games to watch in 2025
By Brian Maurer
Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90
MLS released the team schedules today. Here is a breakdown of Charlotte FC's schedule with key games and stretches of the season to keep in mind for 2025:
Charlotte FC's full 2025 MLS schedule
The first four games
@ Seattle Sounders, vs Atlanta United, @ Inter Miami, vs FC Cincinnati
Charlotte has a tough stretch to begin the year as they face off against four straight who made the playoffs in 2024. Getting off to a good start will be key as they target a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference in 2025, especially when the top EC teams start the season with Concacaf Champions Cup games.
This makes the games against the Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, and FC Cincinnati even more important as those points should be up for grabs even if they are tough matchups. If these teams are coming off midweek Champions Cup games then Charlotte should target wins in these challenging matchups. The Sounders have a scheduled midweek CCC game on February 19 before facing Charlotte in the opener.
The home opener against Atlanta United will also be a key matchup as it will likely be Charlotte's biggest home crowd of the season and they will be welcoming their Southern rivals. This game should take the excitement and season anticipation factor up a notch.
Western Conference home games
vs San Jose Earthquakes, vs San Diego FC, vs Real Salt Lake
Charlotte FC will be welcoming three teams to Bank of America Stadium for the first time. The Crown will get to face the San Jose Earthquakes and new expansion side San Diego FC in MLS play for the first time in Charlotte's history.
The home game against Real Salt Lake will be an opportunity for Charlotte to exact some revenge after losing to them 3-1 in 2023.
Eight of 10 games on the road May 3-June 28
@ Columbus Crew, @ Nashville SC, @ Orlando City, vs Chicago Fire, vs Columbus Crew, @ NY Red Bulls, @ Toronto FC, @ Philadelphia Union, @ Sporting KC, @ Chicago Fire
The beginning of summer is going to be a long road stretch for the Crown as they play eight of 10 away including five straight on the road to wrap up June as Charlotte is a host city in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The upside is that many of these matchups are against manageable opponents. At least on paper at this point in the offseason. Only four of these 10 games are against 2024 playoff teams. While this stretch will feel long, especially for the home faithful wanting to attend games, there should be points on the table for Charlotte to grab.
Seven straight EC games to finish the season
vs NY Red Bulls, @ New England, vs Inter Miami, @ NYCFC, vs CF Montreal, @ DC United, vs Philadelphia Union
The final stretch of games leading up to decision day is always crucial in MLS. Charlotte FC's last seven games set up well to have some intense matchups. They are all against EC opponents so they could all be big needle movers for placement in the Conference Table and they are all weekend games, with one Friday night matchup, which should hype up the intensity as the regular season wraps. The Decision Day matchup being in Charlotte will also be a huge plus for fans.
The final 14 games are where the money will be made
I know I just talked about the final seven games of Charlotte's season but it's worth also zooming out and highlighting the final half of the season, and how important this section will be. 13 of the final 14 games are against EC opponents and eight of those EC matchups are against teams that were in the playoffs last season, which also includes the road leg against Atlanta.
Nine of these 14 games are at home and eight of those are against the EC. This stretch is where the points will need to be gained, and points dropped will feel extra heavy. Charlotte FC will earn their keep from July 5 to Decision Day.
