Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith believes his team have evolved as they aim to go three games without defeat against Austin FC.

The Crown came from behind to draw 1-1 with Columbus Crew on Wednesday, which followed an impressive 3-1 victory over high-flying FC Cincinnati last weekend.

Charlotte sit sixth in the Eastern Conference and a win on Saturday could see them move higher if other results go their way.

Smith noted how impressed he has been with the team's progress in recent weeks and backed them to get the job done this weekend.

"I think we've evolved as a team," Smith said. "As well as being really good without the ball, I think we're starting to learn how to use it a little bit better.

"[The players] believe in the way we play and the structure. I think the big thing is that there is belief in going and competing against these teams."

Meanwhile, Austin are 10th in the Western Conference, having lost their last two matches with a man sent off in both.

Having won just two of their last 10 games in MLS, head coach Josh Wolff admitted they needed to improve their discipline if they wanted to stay in with a chance of reaching the playoffs.

"We need to keep 11 guys on the field is the first thing," Wolff said, "that gives us a better chance.

"Discipline outside the red cards is also important. We have to make plays - getting a little more quality will help us, but we have to execute better by scoring goals.

"We do a lot of things good, but we can't shoot ourselves in the foot."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin – Gyasi Zardes

Gyasi Zardes has scored each of Austin's last three goals, with a brace against New York City FC prior to his goal against Dallas on Wednesday.

Zardes is the first Austin player to score three consecutive team goals since he, himself, did so in May 2023.

Charlotte – Patrick Agyemang

Patrick Agyemang has scored four goals in his last four matches for Charlotte, including each of the last two.

The only player in Charlotte FC's MLS history to score in three straight league matches is Karol Swiderski in October 2023.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Austin won the only previous meeting between the sides, 1-0, in Charlotte in June 2022. Daniel Pereira scored the game's only goal from outside the box in the 62nd minute.

Over the last year (since July 21, 2023), Austin have lost 18 of their 37 matches in all competitions (nine wins, 10 draws). The Verde were held to one or zero goals in 24 of those games, including their 3-1 loss to FC Dallas on Wednesday.

Charlotte have collected 13 points from their last seven away matches (four wins, one draw, two losses), including a 1-1 draw at reigning MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew on Wednesday. Charlotte had totaled just eight points in their previous 15 regular-season away matches dating back to last May (one win, five draws, nine defeats).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin – 34.6%

Draw – 25.9%

Charlotte – 39.6%