![Charlotte FC](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/teams/resized/msl_charlotte_fc20-200.png)
Maintain Standards: Ingredients of the Match
March 1, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release
Charlotte's first match of their three-game away series kicks off in Vancouver against the Whitecaps.
Here's the ingredients of the match:
Exploit Wide Areas
Whitecaps Head Coach Vanni Sartini sets up his team in a compact 3-4-3 that aims to restrict anything down the middle. Charlotte FC will find openings out wide where the opposing wingbacks will be isolated.
The combination between CLTFC's wingers and fullbacks will be key in opening up the Whitecaps in their home opener. Both Nathan Byrne and Jere Uronen, who were excellent in the season opener, could prove to be the key to unlocking the Whitecaps with their overlapping runs. Overloading wide areas will also allow for free delivery of crosses which the Whitecaps struggled to defend against when they conceded off two in their 3-0 loss against Tigres in Concacaf Champions Cup.
This game hinges on the performance of the wide players; they will be the ones to watch in Charotte's second match of the season.
Finishing Touch in Transition
Charlotte's defense was stellar against New York City, conceding only 0.5 Expected Goals (xG). Transitioning swiftly from defense to offense, they initiated promising counterattacks. However, they lacked the finishing touch.
While the Whitecaps are conservative on defense, they aren't afraid to push numbers forward which can lead to a lot of dangerous transition moments for the visitors. Players like Enzo Copetti and Kerwin Vargas can really thrive in the open field - as they demonstrated against NYCFC - but will need to take full advantage of these moments on Saturday away from home.
Maintain Standards
Captain Ashley Westwood emphasized the need to sustain high standards beyond a single good performance to keep the momentum going.
"There are the standards we've set, and we now need to keep these standards," said Westwood following the match.
The team showed incredible grit, determination, and discipline for all 90 minutes against New York City FC. They now need to prove they can keep those standards away from home, as they look to spoil the Whitecaps' season opener.
The hostile atmosphere and the Whitecaps' playoff pedigree present a challenging test for Dean Smith's squad. Yet, if their recent performance is any indication, The Crown will be prepared to rise to the occasion.
COME PARTY WITH US!
Single Tickets are on sale for 2024 matches! Don't miss out on tickets for your favorite matches!
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from March 1, 2024
- Sounders FC Faces Austin FC Saturday in Home Opener - Seattle Sounders FC
- Houston Dynamo FC to Pay Tribute to Maggie McKethan Ahead of Saturday's Kickoff - Houston Dynamo FC
- FC Cincinnati Travel to Chicago for First Road Match of MLS Season - FC Cincinnati
- Houston Dynamo FC to Defend Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Title in 2024 Edition of the Tournament - Houston Dynamo FC
- Sporting KC Home Opener on Saturday - Sporting Kansas City
- New York Travel to Shell Energy Stadium for First Time Since 2019 to Face Houston Dynamo FC - New York Red Bulls
- The Assist: Orlando City SC at Inter Miami CF - March 2, 2024 - Orlando City SC
- Russell Teibert Hangs up Boots After 16 Years as a Player with Whitecaps FC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Minnesota United FC vs. Columbus Crew Preview - Minnesota United FC
- CF Montréal on the Road Saturday against FC Dallas - Club de Foot Montreal
- Whitecaps FC Sign WFC2 Midfielder Jay Herdman to Second MLS Short-Term Agreement - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- LAFC Travels to Face Real Salt Lake at America First Field on Saturday, March 2 - Los Angeles FC
- Match Preview: Charlotte FC at Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Charlotte FC
- Real Salt Lake Kicks off 20th Home MLS Season Saturday against LAFC - Real Salt Lake
- Injury Report: Four Absent vs. St. Louis City SC - New York City FC
- Nashville SC Travels to Colorado Rapids for First Western Conference Matchup of the Season - Nashville SC
- By the Number: FC Cincinnati at Chicago Fire FC - FC Cincinnati
- Atlanta United to Compete in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Atlanta United FC
- Earthquakes to Compete in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - San Jose Earthquakes
- Sporting KC to Play in 2024 U.S. Open Cup - Sporting Kansas City
- FC Dallas to Compete in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - FC Dallas
- LAFC Joins MLS & NEXT PRO Entries Competing in 2024 US Open Cup - Los Angeles FC
- Real Salt Lake One of Eight MLS Teams to Participate in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Real Salt Lake
- Dean Smith: "We Just Need to Keep Improving" - Charlotte FC
- Colorado Rapids Take on Nashville SC in 2024 Home Opener - Colorado Rapids
- Academy Roundup: Young Garys Earn Positive Results on Weekend Road Trip - FC Cincinnati
- Houston Dynamo FC to Host Columbus Crew at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 6 at Shell Energy Stadium - Houston Dynamo FC
- Kickoff Times Announced Orlando City SC's Concacaf Champions Cup Matchup with Tigres UANL - Orlando City SC
- New York City FC Signs Defender Rio Hope-Gund - New York City FC
- FC Cincinnati Loan Álvaro Barreal to Cruzeiro - FC Cincinnati
- Maintain Standards: Ingredients of the Match - Charlotte FC
- FC Cincinnati Celebrate Women's History Month with Array of Initiatives and Events That Promote Women in Sports - FC Cincinnati
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Charlotte FC Stories
- Leagues Cup Match Preview: Charlotte FC at Philadelphia Union
- Setting the Tone: Ingredients of the Match
- Charlotte FC's 2024 Leagues Cup Roster Unveiled
- Charlotte FC Winger Liel Abada's Schedule with Israel National Team in Paris for Summer Games
- Ultimate Guide to Charlotte FC's 2024 Leagues Cup
![Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/sc_400w_tag.png)
![OurSports Central](https://www.oursportscentral.com/assets/img/footer-logo-latest.png)