
The Real Queen City: Ingredients of the Match: CLT vs. FCC
March 14, 2025 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release
Will the real Queen City please stand up?
The series between Charlotte and Cincinnati is level all-time at 2-2-2. The last time they faced each other, Charlotte came out on top in Porkopolis with a 3-1 victory. It was an important three points after coming off a heartbreaking loss to Miami. Sound familiar?
Charlotte FC is looking to bounce back after an unfortunate result in Ft. Lauderdale against 10 men. Chance creation was problematic as Miami locked up shop and won 1-0.
There is no better environment to return to than The Fortress to light a fire again for the boys and return to winning ways. What will it take? As Dean always says, 'togetherness.'
Here are the Ingredients of the Match to see Charlotte victorious on Saturday:
Play Fast
If you haven't watched this week's episode of For The Crown, you can watch it now, then continue reading this Ingredient.
Zaha was double-teamed, triple-teamed, quadruple-teamed, or whatever other nomenclature you want to call it. He was fouled non-stop. He currently sits tied for third in MLS in fouls suffered, with one less match played than those around him. Clearly, teams will plan to target him tactically but also not be afraid to play aggressively. What does that mean for Charlotte? Play faster.
You heard Zaha say that was his message at halftime of the Atlanta match, and it worked. The principle remains. Charlotte either has to get him the ball sooner, so he has more time to create and go at defenders, or those around him need to be actively ready to receive the ball from him early in the open space. If teams continue to overload his side of the pitch, someone will have more space somewhere. That requires everyone to play the ball quicker, be quicker in their decision-making, and exploit the space Zaha creates for others. It's a dynamic Charlotte has never had in their tool belt. But as this team evolves and becomes accustomed to their new attacking tactics, speed and decisiveness in the attack will be the game's name.
Kevin!
When you look at the Cincinnati attack, you become Kate McCallister.
(That's a 'Home Alone' reference for all you Gen Z and Gen Alpha's out there.)
Kevin Denkey's attacking ability jumps off the page. He has two goals in three MLS matches so far and is sixth in the league in xG. He's a threat, and he can't be forgotten.
Much like the approach to Latte Lath of Atlanta, Charlotte must focus on Denkey's movement and how he looks to play off of his attacking support. If the Crown can stay together in their defensive approach, locking down Denkey can be a recipe for success against this FCC side. A momentary lapse in Miami from the backline allowed a moment of magic for Luis Suarez and Tadeo Allende. You can't let that happen again here.
So, stay tight to Kevin. Don't lose him. Looking at you, Mrs. McCallister.
The Real Queen City
A battle for QC bragging rights.
This is one of those matches where The Fortress needs to stand tall. Cincinnati is an Eastern Conference favorite. Despite losing Lucho Acosta in the offseason, they immediately filled his role with the ever-dangerous Evander. Plus, they added the aforementioned Kevin Denkey, which was an MLS record fee at the time. But as Captain Westwood said, " If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best."
Yet another big test early in the season for this Charlotte FC side. And they are ready for the task. It is the first home match of the season at night. First time wearing the new Fortress Kit at home. It should be an electric atmosphere that can feed energy to the boys. Show 'em who the real Queen City is.
Major League Soccer Stories from March 14, 2025
- LAFC Hosts Austin FC in MLS Western Conference Action at BMO Stadium on Saturday, March 15 - Los Angeles FC
- Match Preview: Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati - Charlotte FC
- Availability Report: Trio Absent vs. New England - New York City FC
- Sounders FC Travels to St. Louis CITY SC for Saturday Night Matchup - Seattle Sounders FC
- Inter Miami CF Teamed up with North Miami Island Soccer Academy to Host Youth Fútbol Clinic - Inter Miami CF
- Earthquakes Midfielder Hernán López Undergoes Successful Shoulder Surgery - San Jose Earthquakes
- Minnesota United FC at Sporting Kansas City Preview - Minnesota United FC
- Earthquakes Midfielder Niko Tsakiris Called for Youth International Duty - San Jose Earthquakes
- Preview: Rapids Look to Continue Undefeated Start to 2025 with San Jose Matchup - Colorado Rapids
- Colorado Rapids Midfielder Wayne Frederick Named to Trinidad & Tobago National Team for Upcoming Training Camp - Colorado Rapids
- FC Cincinnati Sign Australian Defender Brad Smith - FC Cincinnati
- Sporting KC Hosts Minnesota on Saturday - Sporting Kansas City
- CF Montréal in Washington to Take on D.C. United - Club de Foot Montreal
- LAFC Set to Face Inter Miami CF in Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals - Los Angeles FC
- Inter Miami CF Advances Secure Your Seat for the Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals - Inter Miami CF
- Rapids Goalkeeper Zackory Campagnolo Named to U.S. U-18 Men's Youth National Team for International Friendlies in Spain - Colorado Rapids
- LA Galaxy Play Host to Tigres UANL in 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinal First Leg Match at Dignity Health Sports Park on Tuesday, April 1 - LA Galaxy
- Whitecaps FC to Face Mexican Powerhouse Pumas in Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- The Real Queen City: Ingredients of the Match: CLT vs. FCC - Charlotte FC
- Revolution Travel to Face New York City FC on Saturday - New England Revolution
- Match Preview: Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati: March 15, 2025 - Charlotte FC
- FC Cincinnati Visit Charlotte FC Expecting a Tough Challenge - FC Cincinnati
- Copa de la Familia Returns with a Big Inter Miami Showdown Featuring Team Fray vs. Team Miller - Inter Miami CF
- Inter Miami CF Signs John "K1John" as eMLS Athlete for 2024 Season - Inter Miami CF
- Houston Dynamo FC to Host Familiar Western Conference Foe Real Salt Lake - Houston Dynamo FC
- Whitecaps FC Loan Goalkeeper Max Anchor to Pacific FC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Austin FC Signs Defender Riley Thomas to Short-Term Agreement - Austin FC
- Minnesota United Loans Forward Jordan Adebayo-Smith to Detroit City FC - Minnesota United FC
- Real Salt Lake Heads to Houston Saturday Night for 6:30p MT Kickoff against Dynamo Rivals - 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
- Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Orlando City SC
- Match Preview: Charlotte FC at Orlando City SC: May 14, 2025
- Keep Pushing: Ingredients of the Match: Charlotte at Orlando
- Clip Notes: Charlotte FC Split Nashville Series After Loss in Music City
- Match Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Nashville SC

