It's only one match. Expectations for the season are still high. But if his Charlotte FC debut is any indication, Wilfried Zaha is going to make some noise in Major League Soccer.
A goal will always mark a successful debut. Zaha brought more than that. An electric energy, a big-time presence on the pitch. You could tell that his level of skill was infectious for the rest of the squad.
He started slow. It took him a bit to find his footing. The man just welcomed a new child into the world, flew across international waters, hoped off a plane and ran onto the pitch. But that new dad energy kicked in, eventually.
“First half, you can see he was getting into the rhythm of the game; rhythm is a big thing at times for players. There was people snapping at his heels a few times, he gave it away a couple of times as well." - Dean Smith
Second half he came alive, and so did the rest of the team. A half assist and a goal in the span of five minutes. Electric. But it was more than that. He put in the work on both sides of the ball.
"His position defensively was really good - that, for me, makes him a team player, what he does without the ball. We know what he can do with the ball. He can score goals like that. He can make runs like he did for the first goal. But the defensive side of the game was really good from him as well.” - Dean Smith
Big stars in this league get big time pressure. Today, though, it was another level. A home debut on a derby day in front of 51,002 fans. For Zaha, his humble confidence we have seen all preseason continued to show in the spotlight.
“I think it's a statement. Me coming here to score goals, the whole team are working hard and we're just taking opportunities as well, so that shows to every other team in the league that we mean business this season.”
A player that has spent his career in the Premier League, could just write this off as another stop along the way. But it certainly didn't look that way today. Zaha has made it clear he is here to compete. And we are happy to have him in the Queen City.
So what's next? Zaha will get a full week of training under his belt this time. Which will be needed as the Crown now heads back on the road to Inter Miami.
A point in Seattle. A win at home over Atlanta. Undefeated to start the season. Your reward? The Barcelona boys on the road. Welcome to Major League Soccer, Wilf.
