Dean Smith believed his Charlotte FC deserved immense credit after snapping their five-game losing streak with a huge win over the Columbus Crew last time out. 

The Crown emerged 3-2 victors over Wilfried Nancy's team at the weekend, with Pep Biel's 75th-minute winner backing up Patrick Agyemang's quickfire brace. 

Charlotte remained eighth in the Eastern Conference table and only a point behind Inter Miami, and Smith lauded his players for their efforts at the Bank of America Stadium. 

"Credit to the players because it's really difficult playing against a team like that," Smith said. 

"Where you have to defend well, especially after going 120 minutes for some of them on Wednesday.

"So you know, really proud of them today with that performance and that result against a really good team."

The Charlotte boss was also full of praise for his attack, in particular Agyemang, Biel and Wilfried Zaha, who led the way for the Crown to emerge victorious. 

"I thought they looked a real threat every time they got it," Smith said of his attack. "I thought they linked up really well.

"The third goal was really good link-up play, as well. But some of the big chances had come from that.

"We spoke about how Columbus liked to counter, commit bodies and leave one-on-ones. And if you've got Patrick Agyemang, then you use it. And we used it every time."

Charlotte make the trip to the Sports Illustrated Stadium in midweek, taking on the New York Red Bulls, who also come into the game on the back of a good result themselves. 

Sandro Schwarz's team beat D.C. United 2-0 away from home, earning just their second win in a league match on the road in 10 games since last year's playoffs. 

The Red Bulls have responded well to back-to-back defeats with consecutive victories across all competitions, and Schwarz is aiming to continue that winning momentum. 

"It was very well from the whole group, a good, really, really good performance from the whole team," Schwarz said. "Especially our center backs.

"Kyle [Duncan] with his position - he was winning in defence and an offence in the wider position was top.

"This is what we need, and this is what we have to continue now, especially for the next two games in this tough month."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NYRB – Emil Forsberg

Forsberg has started the season in fine form, with his assist for Cameron Harper's opening goal against D.C. United his fourth in 15 league appearances this campaign. 

The Swede also ended the contest having created more chances (three) than any of his team-mates, with his attacking influence key to NYRB's chances of victory. 

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang

Having been called up to the United States national team, Agyemang will be out to impress Mauricio Pochettino and looking to add to his five MLS goals already this season. 

He also has two goal involvements (one goal, one assist) in his four games in all competitions against NYRB, but he has never been on the winning side against them (D2 L2). 

MATCH PREDICTION: NYRB WIN

NYRB have made the Sports Illustrated Stadium a fortress this season, with five of their six victories coming in front of their home supporters, with their last game on home soil seeing them thrash the LA Galaxy 7-0. 

And they have had the better of this fixture too. They are unbeaten in their last six league meetings against Charlotte (W3 D3), last losing against the Crown in June 2022. 

Smith's side, meanwhile, have struggled on the road. They have lost three consecutive league matches away from the Bank of America Stadium, failing to taste victory away from home since a 1-0 win over CF Montreal in April. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

NYRB – 47.9%

Draw – 26%

Charlotte FC – 26.1%