Up next for Charlotte FC is an opportunity to make it two straight wins at home and a third consecutive win against Orlando City this season.
Here are the three ingredients of the match:
Continue with Confidence
The term 'confidence' has been a recurrent theme, echoed by Head Coach Christian Lattanzio and his players in the aftermath of their Leagues Cup campaign. Prior to the tournament, Charlotte was grappling with an eight-match streak without a win. However, they broke this streak against the 2022 MLS Cup champions, a team still considered among the league's finest.
"We've shown that we can do it in Leagues Cup,” said captain Ashley Westwood following the team’s triumph over LAFC. “We took great confidence in that, and we can gain even more confidence from the game tonight.”
Presently, Charlotte's locker room is brimming with confidence as they approach their midweek showdown against Orlando City. Their assurance is fortified by the knowledge that they have triumphed over the visiting team in both of their clashes this season. Playing with confidence elevates every facet of the team, enabling them to replicate the commanding and dynamic style showcased against LAFC.
Disciplined Defensive Press
A fundamental element of Charlotte’s tactical framework involves high pressing in defense. However, this strategy has occasionally backfired this season, rendering them vulnerable to counterattacks. Vulnerabilities emerged when players failed to close down spaces promptly, and a single missed assignment could dismantle the entire pressing scheme.
Both Lattanzio and Westwood highlighted that the extended break between the Leagues Cup and the MLS reset was devoted to honing their pressing game. This labor bore fruit against LAFC, as a more organized and disciplined CLTFC press suffocated their opponents.
Maintaining discipline during the press is crucial to neutralizing players like Facundo Torres, Orlando City's designated player winger, who scored both goals in their recent victory against St. Louis City. Given his caliber, Torres can prove lethal during transitions. Hence, the press must be particularly sharp to counter this swift and counterattacking adversary.
Unyielding Relentlessness
Tactically and technically, Charlotte's performance against LAFC was exemplary. However, the most remarkable facet was the team's relentless mentality.
Lattanzio emphasized, “For me the most important thing if you want to play this certain way, you have to have the mentality with it. You need to believe and keep fighting... keep fighting.”
Undaunted by one of the league's premier teams, Charlotte persisted even after conceding against the run of play, sustaining their pressure. This relentlessness was rewarded with the decisive goal. Carrying forward this unrelenting spirit throughout the season will be paramount, for, ultimately, it's usually the team displaying the greater hunger that emerges victorious."
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