Miguel Ramírez: "We can’t move with the waves of winning and losing"

CHARLOTTE – Last Saturday, Charlotte FC head coach Miguel Ramírez earned his first career MLS win, something he is obviously happy about but is also careful to not let it go to his or his team’s head. 

“A win always helps to have a better mood, better optimism. We knew that we were in a process that should improve and get better every week. We’ve been together for two, two and a half months so we are still under construction.” 

“In my self, nothing has changed, just how nothing changes when I lose. As I said before we can’t move with the waves of winning and losing, for high or for low. As a leader of the Club, I need to keep my balance for the good of everybody, for the good of the project. Even after losing the first three games, I was the same as I was in the preseason and even before the preseason. It’s important to keep that same balance.” 

“Of course, it is better to build something winning rather than losing but winning and losing is part of the game. Regardless of if you are new or have over 100 years of history. But I’m happy because we are enjoying the journey and process we are on.” 

A player who got his chance to make an impression against the New England Revolution was Jordy Alcívar who up until that game only had one substitute appearance against D.C. United. Alcívar made the most of his start, contributing an assist, and being a key figure in the win against the Revolution. 

“He’s not the type of guy who comes to training with faces if he’s not playing. He always comes to training after the games with his best energy knowing that he will have a chance at some point. I was expecting this level of Jordy as soon as he got the opportunity, because I know him better than himself, maybe. I’m very happy because he got the chance and took advantage of it. It’s important for all of our players to have this same mentality.” 

As for this weekend’s opposition, Ramírez breaks down what he sees from F.C. Cincinnati. 

“They have good players, and they are super aggressive going forward, running into the spaces. When they feel like they can kill you, they can run, and they do. They have big center forwards, have a really creative, good-on–the-ball attacking midfielder, and wingbacks that go back and forth. Of course, we will need to reduce these spaces, because with spaces they kill you. 

With optimism to spare surrounding the Club after the win, Ramírez stresses it’s important to focus on the present rather than expectations which takes you away from the now. 

“We can’t move with the waves of the expectations. We have to have very clear who we are and the process we are making. Forget expectations, good or bad. Expectations never help, I believe, never. Because you are not present, you are only thinking about the future... You are not present and this doesn’t help at all.