CHARLOTTE – Charlotte FC’s inaugural home match will be one to remember and not just because of the record-breaking MLS attendance crowd. It was a game that was a rollercoaster of emotions as it was end-to-end electric action with plenty of scoring chances.
In the first half, Galaxy looked like the experienced, well-coached side that they displayed in their against NYCFC opening week. They sat in a compact 442 formation, remaining organized and not giving CLTFC any space to play through the middle.
The second half was a much more even affair after some halftime adjustments from CLTFC and some substitutes. Charlotte was more threatening as they pushed numbers forward and created multiple scoring opportunities.
The last 10 minutes of the game consisted of a flurry of Charlotte FC attacks that came ever so close to a goal. In the end, it was a world-class goal from well over 20 yards out, against the run of play, for the Galaxy to break through and earn the three points.
But not a bad performance by any means against a team that Charlotte FC head coach Miguel Ramírez claimed “has the quality to win the MLS Cup.”
Playing Quicker
Miguel Ramírez, has a very methodical approach to his game model. Depending on what the opponent is doing will determine where the players position themselves and how fast the ball moves.
In moments where L.A. Galaxy showed a defensive opening, CLTFC didn’t seem to pounce on them as quick as they probably should have. There could be several different contributing factors to this, the inevitable nerves of playing a first-ever home match, ability to recognize these moments, or chemistry between the players but most likely a combination of all three.
In the early stages of the season, it’s natural for teams to be slower at recognizing situations as players are settling into the rhythm of the season. It’s an even greater adjustment period when the team consists of 26 players trying to get familiar with each under a new game model they are still learning, which is the case for Charlotte FC.
The solution to this? Time, simply time. As players get into the flow of the season and gain an understanding with each other, they will begin to react to situations quicker and automatically know where their next pass or movement will be.
Tactical Flexibility
Ramírez has long stated that his tactics aren’t stagnant but rather dynamic and ever-changing according to his players and his opponent. The match against the Galaxy demonstrated Ramírez's tactical flexibility when CLTFC were playing on the back-foot in the first half.
The initial formation of 343 wasn’t working as it left too many openings for the Galaxy to exploit in transition. Ramírez switched to a 451, which immediately helped CLTFC take a little more control over the match.
It was this tactical change that really helped CLTFC begin to take the match to the Galaxy which eventually shifted the momentum in the home team’s favor in the final stages of the match.
Things to Note
- Charlotte FC breaks the all-time MLS attendance record with their crowd 74,479 fans
- Substitutes were Bender, Rios, Gaines, Ruiz, and Hegardt
