Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati faced off at TQL Stadium, where The Crown entered as significant underdogs but emerged victorious with a stunning 3-1 win. Many media outlets and fans expected an easy victory for Cincinnati, given their unbeaten home record against Charlotte.
However, Head Coach Dean Smith and his squad had different plans.
“We are the Queen City,” asserted Smith at the beginning of his post-match press conference.
Charlotte FC started strong, with Iuri Tavares and Liel Abada scoring back-to-back goals in the 20th and 22nd minutes. The decisive third goal came from Kerwin Vargas in the 66th minute. Ashley Westwood was the common denominator across all three goals, recording a club-record three assists, contributing to one of Charlotte FC’s finest performances to date.
"It was a statement performance tonight," Westwood remarked after the crucial victory, which keeps Charlotte well-positioned in the fiercely competitive playoff race. "I think tonight, we've come here and really put on a performance. The first 35, 40 minutes, I thought we were outstanding. They couldn't live with us.”
A recurring term in Dean Smith’s lexicon is “bouncebackability,” which encapsulates the team’s resilience in overcoming setbacks. This match epitomized that concept, as the team had recently endured consecutive losses for the first time since March.
On top of the two straight losses, the team also had to cope with the absence of Patrick Agyemang, who was suspended due to a red card received against Miami. The team’s ability to step up in the face of adversity highlights the culture Smith and his players are cultivating—where the collective effort of the team takes precedence over individual contributions. This was evident as the team did not falter despite missing a key player.
"We never know when we're beaten, and that's a good thing to have," Westwood said. "We get knocked down, we keep coming back up. And it's a real togetherness. All the lads are running for each other.”
This victory marks the beginning of a challenging week for Charlotte, as they prepare to return to Ohio to face the reigning champions, followed by a third consecutive road game in Austin within seven days. One test has been passed, but two more remain.
“It will be a big test Wednesday to see how we react,” said Westwood, emphasizing the importance of not becoming complacent after this win. “Not resting on our laurels. We need to go again and put another performance. It’s a real tough week, and the message is if we come out of this week with a few points then we’ve put ourselves in a real good place after Leagues Cup.”
The determination and unity within the Charlotte FC squad are apparent as they navigate this crucial phase of the season. Their recent performance against Cincinnati was evidence of the team's unwavering resolve to succeed against the odds. If they approach and execute the next two matches like this one, then they may just earn more than just a few points.
