COLUMBUS — The Columbus Crew return to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field Wednesday night with an opportunity to put Saturday's disappointing loss to Orlando City behind them. However, the Black & Gold won't have an easy opponent waiting for them.

Charlotte FC arrives in Columbus sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference with 46 points, while the Crew find themselves in 13th place with just 29. With six matches remaining in their MLS regular-season schedule, Columbus needs to begin collecting points if it hopes to improve its position in the standings.

Wednesday's match also begins an especially demanding stretch that includes Sunday's Hell Is Real Derby and next week's U.S. Open Cup Final. The Crew have several important matches approaching, but their immediate focus needs to be Charlotte.

Another Frustrating Finish in Orlando

Columbus enters the match following Saturday's 3-2 loss to Orlando City, a game in which the Crew twice battled back from one-goal deficits before allowing the winner in the closing minutes.

Taha Habroune and Brais Méndez provided the goals for Columbus, but Iván Angulo scored in the 89th minute to deny the Crew a valuable road point.

There were encouraging signs despite the result. Habroune delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, contributing a goal and an assist. Méndez continued to demonstrate why Columbus brought him to the club during the summer, recording his fourth MLS goal and seventh goal contribution in just eight appearances.

The Crew also generated plenty of scoring opportunities. Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau finished with 12 saves, repeatedly denying Columbus chances that might have changed the outcome.

Interim head coach Laurent Courtois praised his team's overall performance afterward, but acknowledged that the Crew couldn't convert enough of their opportunities. The Black & Gold showed an ability to respond when they fell behind, but their failure to finish the match proved costly.

Columbus has demonstrated that it can create opportunities against quality opponents. Converting those chances and avoiding costly mistakes late in matches have been bigger problems.

Charlotte Arrives With Momentum

Charlotte comes into Wednesday's contest following a dramatic 3-2 victory over FC Dallas, continuing a season that has the club firmly positioned in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The visitors demonstrated plenty of resilience Saturday, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to secure all three points. Idan Toklomati scored twice, including the winning goal in the second minute of stoppage time, while Harry Toffolo also found the net.

With 46 points, Charlotte has a substantial advantage over Columbus in the standings, and the visitors will be looking to strengthen their postseason position. Their comeback against Dallas should serve as a warning for the Crew, particularly after Columbus surrendered a late winner of its own against Orlando.

The Black & Gold will need to maintain their defensive concentration throughout the match while avoiding turnovers that could create dangerous opportunities in transition. The Crew's midfield will play an important role in that effort, both in maintaining possession and providing support when Charlotte attacks.

Habroune and Méndez have been productive recently, and Columbus will need that creativity again if it hopes to break down the visitors.

A Crowded Schedule Creates Another Challenge

Wednesday's match is the beginning of a particularly important week for Columbus. The Crew travel to Cincinnati on Sunday for the Hell Is Real Derby, then return home to face St. Louis CITY SC in the U.S. Open Cup Final on Wednesday, October 21.

That's three important matches in eight days, including an opportunity to win a major trophy. Managing player workloads will be a challenge for Courtois, especially with little recovery time between contests.

However, Columbus cannot afford to look beyond Charlotte simply because the rivalry match and cup final are approaching. The Crew have already surrendered too many points this season, and another disappointing home result would only add to their frustration.

Wednesday presents an opportunity to establish some momentum before the demanding schedule becomes even more difficult.

A Chance to Build Confidence

The Crew have enough attacking talent to create problems for Charlotte, particularly with Méndez finding his rhythm and Habroune continuing to develop.

Saturday's performance against Orlando demonstrated that Columbus can create scoring chances even when the result doesn't go its way. The problem was failing to finish enough of those opportunities while surrendering three goals at the other end, a combination that has become frustratingly familiar.

A victory Wednesday would provide three important points and give Columbus some confidence before the Hell Is Real Derby. But first, the Black & Gold need to take care of business at home.

Game Information

Columbus will next travel to Cincinnati for Sunday's Hell Is Real Derby, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. The Crew then return home October 21 to face St. Louis CITY SC in the U.S. Open Cup Final.