Baltimore MD - Crystal Palace FC USA officially take on the best team in USL-2 on Saturday night in Charlotte. The 7pm fixture between the two sets of Eagles is a must-win for a Palace side still hoping to land atop the league table by the end of the regular season. Having clinched a playoff berth with Thursday night’s improbable win at Harrisburg, the Baltimore team will have to shake off the long bus ride south before they attempt to reverse the 3-0 loss to Charlotte at UMBC at the end of May. Palace currently lie in fourth place in the table, nine points behind Charlotte and with one game in hand.

Charlotte are coming off an 8-0 thumping of Real Maryland at home last Saturday but should have a harder time scoring against a Palace defense recent bolstered by the return of 2007 starting left back, Mateus dos Anjos.

Palace are still without the services of Alex Ughiovhe through injury. After being sent off at Harrisburg on Thursday night, top scorer Gary Brooks and left wing Val Teixeira are both suspended for Saturday night’s fixture.

The Baltimore-based Eagles return home after their three day road swing to face bottom-placed local rival, Real Maryland, on Thursday July 31st at 7:30pm at UMBC stadium. This match will also determine the winner of the inaugural DeOrsey Maryland Cup awarded to the aggregate winner of the regular season fixtures between the two Maryland sides. Palace hold a 2-1 lead after the game at the Maryland Soccerplex four weeks ago.

Palace travel to Charlotte on Saturday night for the final fixture of their three game road trip to face the other Eagles at 7:05pm. They return home for Thursday's derby fixture with bottom-of-the-table Real Maryland at UMBC on 7:30pm, a game that will determine the winner of the inaugural DeOrsey Maryland Cup.

Tickets for all upcoming home games can be purchased here.