You never forget the first one. Might as well make it memorable.

That’s key for Charlotte FC as they look to even out their best-of-3 first-round series of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs on home soil against Orlando City SC.

After a 2-0 loss in Game 1, the third-year MLS team will host its first playoff game Friday night at Bank of America Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET | MLS Season Pass).

“The more fans we have in the dugout, the better we perform, and you know it’s going to rock on Friday, so we’re looking forward to that,” head coach Dean Smith said.

“We are looking forward to the pressure we will have on Friday because we are playing at home and we need to get the right result to take them to Orlando again and then beat them where they are.”

With a win in front of an expectedly raucous crowd, Charlotte would force a decisive Game 3 on November 9th at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. A defeat would end their season in front of their home fans.

“We know we can be better than what we showed (in Game 1) and that was disappointing for the players,” Smith added. “In the second half I saw the players taking their positions, setting up really well, causing problems and letting them out… I expect our players to take that into account in this game.”

“We want to have as many people there as possible … and we want to put on a performance that they can be proud of us for.”

Benefiting from a strong home-field advantage, Charlotte posted a home record of 9W-3L-5D during the regular season while outscoring its opponents 25-15 at Bank of America Stadium.

At its inaugural game in 2022, the club set a then MLS single-game record with 74,479 fans. This season they are one of the league leaders and the team can expect a lively atmosphere on Friday evening.

“We’re looking forward to having a playoff game in front of our home crowd. Of course we would have liked to win it here and do it in two games, but in front of the home crowd it’s a matter of life and death.” “They’re a big crowd and they can carry us,” said defender Andrew Privett.

“We are going into this with confidence and are ready to give a lot of energy on Friday. There is nothing to lose at this point.”

As the crowd pushes her further, Charlotte must fend off Orlando’s powerful attack. In Game 1, Facundo Torres played to his potential, scoring and scoring all night against Martin Ojeda.

Torres, who led Orlando with 14 league goals this season, has been on an upswing since June and will be the focus. Countering the Uruguayan’s influence will be a challenge with designated player Pep Biel suspended after a late red card in Game 1.

Nevertheless, the crown could have the necessary strength to survive Biel’s absence. One of Kerwin Vargas (6g/1a) and Patrick Agyemang (10g/5a) will have the opportunity to make their mark, giving Orlando a challenge they didn’t face in their opener with a clean sheet.

Charlotte can also rely on attacking DPs Karol Swiderski and Liel Abada and has an MLS Goalkeeper of the Year finalist in Kristijan Kahlina.

“Pep has been great for us since he’s been here, but then again we have a lot of other talented players we can use and they can get the job done too,” midfielder Brandt Bronico said. “We will miss Pep but at the same time the next man up mentality will kick in and carry on as before.”

Although the forced personnel change doesn’t go entirely to plan, Charlotte is hoping the home crowd can help secure a win in Game 2 and mark a historic moment for the club.

“The fans have been great since the club was founded and having them behind us as the 12th man will help us increase the intensity and energy,” Bronico said. “This is a big boost.”