Charlotte opened up their season by shutting out No. 23 West Virginia, 3-0. Shortly after, they tied No. 7 Vermont, 2024 NCAA Champions, 2-2. Their next game they fell to No. 13 South Carolina, 2-1. The Gamecocks are now ranked first in the country. This has given the 49ers the title of having the toughest strength of schedule in the country. While they are not currently ranked nationally, they did receive four votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches rankings. According to the RPI, the 49ers sit seventh.
Charlotte will enter TSC riding a two game win streak having beaten Winthrop and UAB. They have scored 11 goals this season and have given up seven. They are outshooting their opponents, 93-59. Giving them an average of 13.3 shots per game. The 49ers' goalies have made a combined 14 saves through seven games. Tom Carmeli has allowed two goals in three games, whereas Alex Svetanoff has given up five through five games. Mike Raggett leads the team in goals (4), points (19), and game-winning-goals (3). Raggett ranks second on the team in shots with 19. He also just earned his second American Conference Offensive Player of the Week Honors of the season after notching two goals and an assist in their last two games. All of the 49ers goals have come from Raggett, Larry Noel (3), Natsuki Ogata (2), and Tate Asante (2).
Charlotte won the American Conference last season and were picked to win again this year according to the Preseason Coaches' Poll. Senior forward, Ogata, was picked as one of the Preseason Offensive Players of the Year. The 49ers also have the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in sophomore, Samuel Manufor.