Dean Smith says Charlotte FC will continue to take things game by game despite their flying start to the season, as they prepare to host a potential MLS Cup rival in San Diego FC.

Charlotte are second in the Eastern Conference, just two points adrift of leaders Columbus Crew, after back-to-back victories over Nashville SC (2-1) and CF Montreal (1-0).

Last week's victory in Quebec was their first on the road all season, while they will defend a 100% record at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday.

But Smith is refusing to get carried away with their positive start.

"It just means that we're up there competing with the best at the moment, but there's a long way to go," Smith said of Charlotte sitting second in the East.

"We just want to take it game by game."

San Diego, meanwhile, are third in the Western Conference just eight games into their expansion season, five points behind the leaders, the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Mikey Varas' team were beaten 3-2 by the Colorado Rapids last week and have now lost two straight away games, but he was still content with large parts of their performance.

"I would say the positives were we played with initiative, which is something we want to do all the time," Varas said.

"We created plenty of chances, but we probably weren't ruthless enough and then we also gave up too many chances.

"So we have a lot of learning to do, but we're going to learn and take that into the next game against Charlotte."

a colossal showdown in Charlotte… pic.twitter.com/ZgeX4GTUVQ
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) April 13, 2025

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Pep Biel

Following his match-winning goal against Montreal last time out, Pep Biel has recorded an MLS-high eight goal contributions in 2025 (three goals, five assists).

Biel has scored or assisted on six of Charlotte's last eight goals in the competition (two goals, four assists).

San Diego FC – Tomas Angel

Last week, Angel became the 11th different San Diego player to score a goal this season.

San Diego are just the third team in MLS history to have 11 different goalscorers in their first eight matches of a season (Los Angeles FC had 12 in 2022, Houston Dynamo had 11 in 2018).

MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE FC WIN

San Diego scored twice in their defeat to Colorado last time out and now have 15 goals in their first eight MLS matches.

Only Atlanta United (18 in 2017), Los Angeles FC (18 in 2018) and St. Louis City (20 in 2023) scored more goals in their first eight MLS matches among expansion teams.

But they will face one of their toughest tests yet at Bank of America Stadium.

Charlotte have won seven straight regular-season home matches dating back to the end of last season, including winning all four at Bank of America Stadium in 2025.

The Crown have also scored multiple goals in all seven victories during this run.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 50.5%

San Diego FC – 24.5%

Draw – 25%