How to watch today's Charlotte vs Philadelphia Union MLS game: Live stream, TV channel, and start time

Charlotte FC welcome the Philadelphia Union to Bank of America Stadium on Saturday for a high-stakes Decision Day encounter that could reshape the Eastern Conference standings ahead of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. 

It's a matchup with plenty riding on it, a win would secure Charlotte home-field advantage for their Round One Best-of-3 Series, but a defeat could send them tumbling as far down as sixth place.

For Philadelphia, the pressure isn't quite as heavy. The Union recently clinched their second Supporters' Shield in five years, ensuring that any playoff run culminating in the MLS Cup Final on December 6 will go through Subaru Park.

Still, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Charlotte, who have turned their home ground into one of the toughest venues in the league. Their 12-3-1 record at Bank of America Stadium stands as the second-best home mark in MLS, fueling what has been the club's most successful regular season to date. 

In his first campaign at the helm, former St. Louis CITY SC boss Bradley Carnell has completely revitalized the team, transforming last year's playoff absentees into genuine postseason contenders.

Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.

How to watch Charlotte FC vs Philadelphia Union online - TV channels & live streams

Apple TV

Watch here

In the United States (US) and worldwide, the MLS match between Charlotte FC and Philadelphia Union will be available to watch and stream online live on Apple TV, through the MLS Season Pass.

Check out GOAL's Live Match Centre for updates.

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.

Charlotte FC vs Philadelphia Union kick-off time

Major League Soccer - Major League Soccer

Bank of America Stadium

The MLS match between Charlotte FC and Philadelphia Union will be played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, United States.

It will kick off at 3:00 pm PT / 6:00 pm ET on Saturday, October 18, in the US.

Team news & squads

Charlotte FC vs Philadelphia Union lineups

Charlotte FC

4-2-3-1

Formation

4-4-2

PHI

1

K. Kahlina

3

T. Ream

29

A. Malanda

15

H. Toffolo

14

N. Byrne

28

D. Diani

8

A. Westwood

18

K. Vargas

13

B. Bronico

10

W. Zaha

17

I. Toklomati

18

A. Blake

27

K. Wagner

29

O. Makhanya

26

N. Harriel

5

J. Glesnes

21

D. Jean Jacques

4

J. Lukic

32

M. Iloski

11

A. Bedoya

7

M. Uhre

20

B. Damiani

4-4-2

PHI

CLT

-Line up

• 1

  K. Kahlina

• 3

  T. Ream

• 29

  A. Malanda

• 15

  H. Toffolo

  30’

  63’

• 14

  N. Byrne

• 28

  D. Diani

• 8

  A. Westwood

• 18

  K. Vargas

  24’

  30’

  83’

• 13

  B. Bronico

  82’

• 10

  W. Zaha

  24’

  32’

  90’

• 17

  I. Toklomati

  90’ + 1’

Substitutes

• 25

  T. Smalls

• 4

  A. Privett

• 7

  A. Goodwin

  90’ + 1’

• 19

  E. Williamson

• 22

  D. Bingham

• 6

  B. Tuiloma

• 11

  L. Abada

  83’

• 2

  J. Marshall-Rutty

  63’

  88’

• 55

  B. Coulibaly

  82’

Manager

• D. Smith

PHI

-Line up

• 18

  A. Blake

• 27

  K. Wagner

• 29

  O. Makhanya

• 26

  N. Harriel

  71’

  78’

• 5

  J. Glesnes

• 21

  D. Jean Jacques

  33’

  78’

• 4

  J. Lukic

• 32

  M. Iloski

  55’

• 11

  A. Bedoya

  46’

• 7

  M. Uhre

  45’

  46’

• 20

  B. Damiani

  73’

Substitutes

• 76

  A. Rick

• 16

  B. Bender

• 15

  O. Mbaizo

• 25

  C. Donovan

• 39

  F. Westfield

  78’

• 9

  T. Baribo

  46’

• 8

  J. Bueno

  78’

• 6

  C. Sullivan

  55’

• 19

  I. Vassilev

  46’

Manager

• B. Carnell

Charlotte FC team news

As for Charlotte FC, their frontline has found new life under the creative spark of Wilfried Zaha and Idan Toklomati, who’ve stepped up to keep the goals flowing despite the absence of injured midfielder Pep Biel and the summer departure of Patrick Agyemang to Derby County. In defense, veteran Tim Ream has brought leadership and composure alongside Adilson Malanda, who’s bound for Middlesbrough after an impressive campaign.

Under Dean Smith, Charlotte soared up the table earlier this year, powered by an MLS-record nine-game winning streak between mid-July and mid-September. This stretch catapulted them into the league’s elite and cemented their reputation as a genuine threat in the postseason.

Philadelphia Union team news

On their march to the Supporters' Shield, the Philadelphia Union have built their success on a rock-solid backline that has conceded just 33 goals, the fewest in MLS this season. Anchored by All-Stars Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner, and guarded by the ever-reliable Andre Blake, the only three-time Goalkeeper of the Year in league history, this defensive unit has been nothing short of elite.

Up front, Israeli striker Tai Baribo has been the go-to man in attack, leading the team with 16 goals. Supporting him are forwards Mikael Uhre, Bruno Damiani, and Milan Iloski, forming a deep and balanced frontline that thrives on collective effort rather than relying on a single talisman. However, the Union's depth will be tested come playoff time after homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan suffered a season-ending ACL injury in late September.

Form

Head-to-Head Record

CLT

Last 5 matches

PHI

1

Win

2

Draws

2

Wins

• Philadelphia Union

  2

  -

  1

  Charlotte FC

• Philadelphia Union

  1

  -

  0

  Charlotte FC

• Philadelphia Union

  0

  -

  2

  Charlotte FC

• Charlotte FC

  0

  -

  0

  Philadelphia Union

• Charlotte FC

  2

  -

  2

  Philadelphia Union

5

Goals scored

5

Games over 2.5 goals

2/5

Both teams scored

2/5

Standings

Useful links

• Latest betting updates
• MLS news
• Philadelphia Union team page
• Charlotte FC team page
• Soccer on TV in the US
• How to watch & live stream soccer