Charlotte FC have rebounded from an awful start but have yet to thrill the home fans with a victory ahead of hosting the Columbus Crew on Saturday.
After three losses to the opening of the season, Charlotte (1-4-3, 6 points) has a win, a loss and three ties in the past five games. If it can avoid a defeat vs. the Crew (4-2-2, 14 points) it would mark the first time the second-year club would have had one loss during a six-game span.
“Charlotte is going to be a difficult game because the crowd is amazing over there,” Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said. “Also, they’re getting better now.”
Nonetheless, the results haven’t produced a win (0-2-2) in front of the supporters. Last season, Charlotte was 10-6-1 at home.
“They deserve the three points and that’s what we’re aiming for this weekend,” Charlotte defender Bill Tuiloma said. “We’re prepared for that, to give them the three points.”
It won’t be easy as the Crew looks to extend their unbeaten streak (3-0-1) to five games. Their 18 goals lead the Eastern Conference and the 2.25 goals per match is second in MLS to St. Louis City (2.5).
The Crew’s plus-9 goal differential tops the conference and is tied for third in MLS.
“They’ve got some individual players who can make a difference for them,” Tuiloma said. “We’ve been watching them and doing the hard work on the pitch on how we can stop them.”
Both matches against Charlotte last season ended in ties by following a pattern. The Crew led 1-0 in the first meeting before a 1-1 draw. In the rematch, Charlotte scored twice after facing a 2-0 deficit.
Blowing leads, especially late, cost coach Caleb Porter his job after the season.
Nancy has instilled confidence and a positive approach and it paid off when Sean Zawadzki scored the tying goal against New England in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time last week.
“Coach always says fight to the end,” Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte said. “It’s just the mentality of the team in never giving up, always pushing to the final whistle.”
— Field Level Media
