After a tough 3-1 loss away at Real Salt Lake, Charlotte FC will be thankful to return be returning home after being away for 2 consecutive weeks.
Here are three ingredients of the match for the Rapids:
Maximum Energy
“The main issue tonight was that they had more energy than we had. That for me is something I can’t accept."
Those were the words of Head Coach Christian Lattanzio following the defeat against Real Salt Lake the previous weekend. It was followed by a midweek press conference from midfielder Brandt Bronico who echoed his coach’s sentiment, and felt that the players didn’t reach the energy threshold that is demanded of them.
The players and coaching staff both felt there was no excuse for the low energy, but they did have variables such as travel and altitude against them. However, Charlotte are back at home and the variables are now in their favor with no travel and the home crowd behind them with a first home win up for grabs.
Mini-Season Mentality
This is not the first time Charlotte have been in a rut, but they’ve shown they're capable of responding with character and resilience. Never was this more prevalent than in what Lattanzio called the five-game mini-season.
Charlotte were in playoff contention with five games to go at the end of the inaugural season. The odds were stacked against them as they had to win out to make the postseason. Every match had tremendous pressure but under those circumstances we saw the best version of this team.
They showed resilience and tenacity along with execution on the pitch that nearly carried them into a playoff spot. We saw glimpses of this version of the Crown when they grinded out a win in Orlando and came back from being two goals down against Toronto FC.
Returning to what worked within those five matches both tactically and mentally could help the team find themselves again.
Belief in the Team
When the results aren’t coming is when the players need the fans more than ever. It’s important to create a hostile environment but it’s just as, if not more important to also instill your own team with belief.
In the grand scheme of things, it's still early into the season with only four points separate 6th place in the Eastern Conference and 14th place where the Crown currently sit. Historically, MLS has shown us that it’s not about how you start it’s about how you finish. All it takes is a short streak of positive results and you can be right back in the playoff fold.
Belief from within the team and the fans will be key to turning things around for Charlotte, starting with the Rapids.
Hey Charlotte FC Fans,Â
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