Charlotte FC Hadapi New England Revolution Jelang Jeda Kompetisi

Charlotte FC menjamu New England Revolution dalam laga lanjutan kompetisi sepak bola Major League Soccer Wilayah Timur di Stadion Bank of America pada Sabtu malam, 23 Mei 2026 pukul 19.30 waktu setempat.

Pertandingan pekan ke-15 ini menjadi momentum krusial bagi kedua tim untuk mengamankan posisi playoff sebelum kompetisi ditangguhkan sementara karena jeda Piala Dunia FIFA. New England Revolution saat ini menempati peringkat ketiga klasemen, sedangkan tuan rumah Charlotte FC berada di posisi ketujuh dengan rekor lima kemenangan, enam kekalahan, dan tiga hasil imbang.

Fokus tuan rumah tertuju pada masa depan penyerang andalan mereka, Wilfried Zaha, yang kontraknya akan habis pada 30 Juni di tengah masa jeda kompetisi. Pemain yang telah mengemas tiga gol dan empat asis musim ini baru saja memutus mandul gol saat menang 3-1 atas Toronto FC pada 16 Mei 2026.

Manajer Charlotte FC, Dean Smith, memberikan konfirmasi mengenai situasi kontrak pemain asal Pantai Gading tersebut yang masih belum menemui kejelasan menjelang pertandingan penting ini.

"I don’t know where it is with Wilfried," ujar Dean Smith, Manajer Charlotte FC.

Smith menjelaskan bahwa manajemen klub sedang melakukan negosiasi intensif mengenai masa depan penyerang tersebut, namun keputusan dipastikan tidak akan diambil sebelum pertandingan hari Sabtu.

"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." kata Dean Smith, Manajer Charlotte FC.

Meskipun masa depannya belum menemui kejelasan, Smith memuji profesionalisme yang ditunjukkan oleh sang pemain di lapangan.

"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," kata Dean Smith, Manajer Charlotte FC.

Di kubu tim tamu, New England Revolution datang dengan modal performa positif setelah meraih tiga kemenangan dari empat laga MLS terakhir, termasuk kemenangan 2-1 atas Minnesota United pekan lalu. Pelatih kepala New England Revolution, Marko Mitrovic, membagikan pengamatannya terkait kesiapan tim lawan berdasarkan pertemuan pertama awal Mei lalu yang dimenangi Revolution dengan skor 1-0.

"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." ujar Marko Mitrovic, Pelatih Kepala New England Revolution.

Asisten pelatih New England Revolution, Blair Gavin, menambahkan informasi mengenai aspek mental dan solidaritas skuadnya di dalam maupun di luar lapangan pertandingan.

"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.

Pemain bertahan New England Revolution, Mamadou Fofana, turut memberikan pandangannya mengenai ketatnya persaingan serta pentingnya mengamankan poin penuh demi mempertahankan posisi papan atas.

"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." kata Mamadou Fofana, Bek New England Revolution.

Fofana juga mengakui kualitas kolektivitas Charlotte FC yang dinilainya kompak dan menyulitkan saat pertemuan sebelumnya di Stadion Gillette, Foxborough.

"It wasn’t easy because they are a very good team," kata Mamadou Fofana, Bek New England Revolution.

Ia menambahkan bahwa timnya harus percaya diri penuh menghadapi tekanan dari suporter tuan rumah di Stadion Bank of America.

"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." kata Mamadou Fofana, Bek New England Revolution.

Berdasarkan laporan status pemain dari theblazingmusket.com, Charlotte FC dipastikan tampil tanpa Harry Toffolo yang mengalami cedera tubuh bagian bawah, sedangkan kondisi bek Nathan Byrne diragukan tampil. Sementara itu, New England Revolution kehilangan Leo Campana, Ilay Feingold, dan Malcolm Fry akibat cedera, serta Brooklyn Raines yang terkena sanksi larangan bertanding.