May 24, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release
Charlotte FC is four matches into a critical six-match month of May. So far, the team has taken advantage of the opportunity, producing a Club record of four consecutive shutouts with three wins and one draw.
Now, CLTFC has a chance to keep the shutout and unbeaten streak alive against the visiting Philadelphia Union this Saturday.
Match: Charlotte FC vs Philadelphia Union
When: Saturday, May 25
Where: Bank of America Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 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)
Previous Matches:
Charlotte FC 0 – 0 LA Galaxy (Major League Soccer | May 18)
New England Revolution 0 – 3 Philadelphia Union (Major League Soccer | May 18)
Eastern Conference Table: For the full live table, click here.
5. Toronto FC – 22 points, 14 GP
6. Charlotte FC – 21 points, 14 GP
7. Columbus Crew – 21 points, 13 GP
8. Philadelphia Union – 17 points, 13 GP
9. D.C. United – 17 points, 13 GP
———- Playoff Line ———-
Marrying Offense with Defense
Currently, Charlotte FC has arguably the best defense in the league. They’re tied for the second-fewest goals conceded in the league (13), trailing only second-place FC Cincinnati (11). The underlying numbers (as Caleb Adams broke down in this week’s For the Stats) also support CLTFC’s defensive performances, showing there is reason to believe the defensive excellence will continue.
However, Charlotte’s defensive foundations are carrying them up the table. The team has only scored 14 goals in the season, the third-worst mark in the Eastern Conference. The two that are worse? Chicago Fire FC in second-to-last and the New England Revolution in dead last. CLTFC, meanwhile, are sitting comfortably in 6th place.
The team is ultimately riding their defensive performances to points, especially recently with a Club record of four consecutive shutouts. However, in the long run, the team will need to find more goals and more chances to keep climbing the table further and avoid thin margins.
In Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Head Coach Dean Smith fielded questions on the team’s offensive productivity.
“We keep working on the principles where when a cross is coming in, where we want people to be ending up in the in the penalty box, our fixed positions when we’re in possession, and also our movements when we’re traveling up the pitch,” he said. “So, we’re putting them in different scenarios and making…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Major League Soccer MLS News…