Charlotte FC takes on New York City in midweek clash

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Charlotte FC overcame a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati May 9 at Bank of America Stadium. The Crown takes on New York City FC on May 13 in a midweek match.

Charlotte FC is chasing pace and opportunity.

Pace means picking up tempo on the attacking end, starting with today’s midweek fixture against New York City FC at Bank of America Stadium. The opportunity is to build momentum with three home matches before a two-week break for the World Cup. 

“The players know that we could set ourselves up with four home games,” coach Dean Smith said. “We could set ourselves up really well for the break, and that’s what we’re aiming to do.” 

Charlotte, (4-3-5, 15 points) beat the Pidgeons (4-3-5) 2-1 last month at Citi Field, but NYCFC twice topped the Crown in last year’s MLS playoffs. The winner moves into sole possession of seventh in the MLS Eastern Conference, where NYCFC is seventh on goal differential.

The Crown showed a glimmer of possibility Saturday in a 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati in which Charlotte overcame a 0-2 first half hole.

“I was hoping after the performance at New England, we would turn up better than that first half, especially being at home,” Smith said. “You end up 2-nil down from nowhere, really, because there was nothing in the game up until that period. But the second half performance to come back from 2-nil against Cincinnati as well is excellent. We’re disappointed that we didn’t go on and … win the game, but there was definitely a mentality shift and a momentum shift that we can continue.”

“I think that’s something we are working on, to be that aggressive the whole game, not once you down 2-0,” defender David Schnegg said. “Just being more confident in our game. I don’t think we did a lot of different things, just everything with more with more intensity.”

There’ll be a lineup change for Charlotte against the Pidgeons with captain Ashley Westwood unavailable due to yellow card accumulation. The midfielder’s absence removes a leadership voice as well as his ability to connect the ball with scoring opportunities. 

“The availability for Wednesday will be as-was, with the exception we won’t have Ashley Westwood,” Smith said. “I believe that his fifth yellow card, the last two yellow cards he’s received, in my opinion, have been farcical.”

With Westwood out, the Crown will have to lean on depth in the interim with Brandt Bronico and Luca de la Torre in the mix to step in. 

“We’ve got lads who are waiting in the wings who are ready to play,” Smith said. “We’ve got BB, we've got Luca, we've got Aron John, who's done really well and come through [Crown] Legacy. What you lose is [Westwood’s] leadership and an experience. Other people have to come and stand up and lead.”

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