Dean Smith is aware of Charlotte FC should begin producing within the closing third if they’re to cling onto an MLS Cup Playoff spot, beginning with Saturday’s assembly with the New England Revolution.
Charlotte sit seventh within the Japanese Convention standings, boasting a five-point cushion to these exterior the playoff locations, however they’ve struggled because the Leagues Cup break.
Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Orlando Metropolis was their third loss in succession, they usually have solely scored twice in 4 video games since returning to MLS play, leaving Smith annoyed.
“In the intervening time we’re having to work actually laborious to remain in a recreation, as a result of we’re not creating sufficient massive possibilities, we’re not scoring sufficient targets full cease,” Smith mentioned.
“So I used to be actually annoyed. As I say, that’s one thing that’s most likely crept in over the past 4 video games since we got here again from the break.
“We’ve solely scored two targets within the final 4 video games because the Leagues Cup and I really feel a few of the gamers are struggling to search out their type and their confidence in the meanwhile.
“At this level of the season, that little little bit of a scarcity of focus has been disappointing.”
Closing. pic.twitter.com/P2SWncLCW0
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) September 19, 2024
New England, in the meantime, threw away a 2-0 lead of their 2-2 midweek draw with CF Montreal, a end result that leaves them 5 factors adrift of the playoff image on the foot of the Japanese Convention.
“It’s one other disappointing end result. That’s six factors we’ve dropped in our final three residence video games,” Porter mentioned. “We might have been in a a lot totally different scenario.
“We’ve obtained to select ourselves again up and proceed to have a look at the great, however as I informed the fellows, I’m uninterested in seeing them fall off within the second halves.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang
With the hosts struggling for targets, they could want Agyemang to step up. He began on the bench final day out and has appeared instead eight instances this season, but his seven targets are nonetheless greater than any of his team-mates.
New England Revolution – Carles Gil
Gil laid on an help because the Revs drew with Montreal final day out, his tenth in 22 appearances this season – greater than another Revs participant.
MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE FC WIN
Charlotte are winless of their final six regular-season matches, registering three straight attracts then being defeated in every of their final three, having gained 4 of their earlier six earlier than this run started.
New England haven’t fared significantly better of late, although, going 4 league video games and not using a win (two attracts, two defeats) and solely successful certainly one of their final 9 (three attracts, 5 losses).
No group within the Japanese Convention has misplaced extra away video games than the Revs’ 9 this time period, so this match might come at a superb time for Charlotte.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Charlotte FC – 51.5%
New England Revolution – 23.8%
Draw – 24.7%
