![Charlotte FC](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/teams/resized/msl_charlotte_fc20-200.png)
Match Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Minnesota United
April 19, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release
Charlotte FC is riding a 13-match MLS unbeaten streak at Bank of America Stadium stretching back to last season. With five of the next seven matches at home, it's a critical stretch of the season for the team to solidify their position in the playoff places early on.
Next up, CLTFC takes on Minnesota United in a cross-conference matchup.
Match: Charlotte FC vs Minnesota United
When: Sunday, April 21
Where: Bank of America Stadium
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV - How to Watch & Listen
Listen: WFNZ 92.7 FM (English) & WOLS 106.1 FM (Spanish)
For all other radio station affiliates in the Carolinas, click here.
Know Before You Go: For information on tickets, stadium entry, and more, click here.
Previous Matches:
Charlotte FC 3 - 2 Toronto FC (Major League Soccer | April 13)
Minnesota United 1 - 2 Houston Dynamo FC (Major League Soccer | April 13)
Eastern Conference Table: For the full live table, click here.
5. FC Cincinnati - 12 points, 8 GP
6. Atlanta United - 11 points, 7 GP
7. Charlotte FC - 11 points, 8 GP
8. CF Montreal - 10 points, 7 GP
9. Toronto FC - 10 points, 8 GP
---------- Playoff Line ----------
Finding Comfort in the Lead
Charlotte FC's fragility in the final minutes of matches in 2023 was no secret. The team surrendered leads and lost points both home and away on a consistent basis.
However, the 2024 version of Charlotte FC, under Head Coach Dean Smith's leadership, has flipped the script and found comfort when leading late in matches.
Defender Jere Uronen, speaking to Jorge Gonzales of TopBin90 in Wednesday's weekly player media availability, emphasized how different the team's mindset is this year.
"We feel comfortable defending the lead late in the games," he said. "Obviously, you're going to lose some leads, and you're going to keep some of them. But I feel like we are more comfortable.
"Last year, I don't think panic is the right word, but we kind of stopped playing our game and everyone was waiting for the equalizer to come. This year we're defending as a whole team.
"Even though we did concede the goal against Cincinnati, it still feels different. We all have more faith in us to keep the lead."
Dean Smith echoed the Finnish defender in Thursday's press conference, adding a bit more insight into the "why" behind that comfort defending leads.
"In terms of the character of the group, I think they're becoming a calmer team," he said. "And with that comes consistency.
"We're starting to learn about: what are good decisions? What aren't good decisions? When do we need to chase a game, when do we not need to chase a game?
"I can see a lot more emotional control within the group."
That growth as a team must be vindicating for Smith and his staff.
The early season narrative was that CLTFC could not protect leads late in games. Losing a 2-0 lead in a preseason friendly versus LAFC (after changing the entire team at halftime to spread minutes around) certainly didn't help that social media narrative.
Now, despite a few speed bumps, the team largely looks comfortable and calm in high pressure situations. That mentality will serve them well on Sunday as they look to take another three points at home.
The Opponent
Charlotte FC is matching up with Minnesota United for the first time ever. With 29 teams in the league, it's not possible for teams to play every team in the league every year, so cross-conference matchups can go multiple years in between matches.
From the outside looking in, Minnesota started 2024 in disarray. After parting ways with longtime Head Coach Adrian Heath at the end of 2023, the Loons were on their second interim head coach by the time preseason rolled around.
Cameron Knowles, the organization's MLS NEXT Pro coach who only found out he would be leading the team 10 days before preseason camp opened, successfully and impressively navigated those uncertain times with a 2-0-1 record to start the season.
He then handed the reins to Eric Ramsay, who was hired from Manchester United's staff. Ramsay oversaw a debut victory, but the Loons have since cooled off with just one point from their last three matches.
On the player side, Jere Uronen will see some familiar faces out on the field, as the Minnesota attack is led by his Finland national team teammates - and good friends - Robin Lod and Teemu Pukki. Three points AND bragging rights will be on the line for Uronen on Sunday.
The Season So Far
Charlotte FC have gotten off to a strong and relatively consistent start under new Head Coach Dean Smith. Currently, the team sits in seventh place in the 14-team Eastern Conference.
CLTFC won their first match of the season over NYCFC with a gritty 1-0 win at home. They then faced three consecutive games on the road, securing a 1-1 draw in Vancouver before tight losses to Toronto (1-0) and Nashville (2-1).
Upon finally returning to Bank of America Stadium, the team impressively downed the defending MLS Cup Champions, the Columbus Crew, by a 2-0 score. Then, they secured another impressive result, drawing the defending Supporter's Shield Champions, FC Cincinnati, in a 1-1 match.
After a disappointing road loss in New England, CLTFC won a thrilling back-and-forth match against Toronto at home courtesy of a late Patrick Agyemang match-winner.
SUNDAY FUNDAY = $20 TICKETS + $5 BEER
A little rain isn't stopping this party! THE FORTRESS. SUNDAY, APRIL 21 @ 6:00 P.M.
*Available at Blue Cross NC East Gate Taprooms. $5.00 - 12 oz. Draft Michelob Ultra. While supplies last.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from April 19, 2024
- By the Numbers: FC Cincinnati at Atlanta United FC - FC Cincinnati
- LAFC Hosts the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, April 20 at Bmo Stadium - Los Angeles FC
- Sounders FC Hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC Saturday Night at Lumen Field - Seattle Sounders FC
- Match Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Minnesota United - Charlotte FC
- Defender Hugo Bacharach Undergoes Meniscus Surgery - Minnesota United FC
- Injury Report: Three out vs. D.C. United - New York City FC
- Colorado Rapids Search for Three Crucial Points at Home against FC Dallas - Colorado Rapids
- Sporting KC Hosts St. Louis on Saturday - Sporting Kansas City
- Columbus Crew Acquire up to $200,000 in General Allocation Money from Real Salt Lake in Exchange for Philip Quinton - Columbus Crew SC
- Nashville SC Travels to Ft. Lauderdale, Returns to MLS Action against Inter Miami - Nashville SC
- Houston Dynamo FC Return Home to Host In-State Rivals Austin FC - Houston Dynamo FC
- Real Salt Lake Acquire Columbus Crew DF Philip Quinton in Exchange for up to $200,000 in General Allocation Money - Real Salt Lake
- CF Montréal Hosts Orlando City SC Saturday at Stade Saputo - Club de Foot Montreal
- Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. FC Cincinnati - Atlanta United FC
- FC Cincinnati Take on Atlanta United FC Looking to Snap Losing Skid - FC Cincinnati
- The Assist: Orlando City SC at CF Montréal - April 20, 2024 - Orlando City SC
- Revolution on the Road at Toronto FC on Saturday - New England Revolution
- Houston Dynamo Football Club Teams up with Blood Bros. BBQ to Enhance Match Day Experience - Houston Dynamo FC
- Chicago Fire FC Announces New Partnership with Shedd Aquarium - Chicago Fire FC
- New England Revolution Academy Highlights: April 19, 2024 - New England Revolution
- Real Salt Lake Returns to Road this Weekend at Historic Soldier Field against Chicago Fire - Real Salt Lake
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)