The Columbus Crew are at the top of the East for a reason. Charlotte had a tough go in Ohio, giving up four goals for the first time this season. But the sparks of a club that will keep pushing the top are there. Charlotte can handle the league's best, and as the season goes and the chemistry builds, they will be right there.
After a U.S. Open Cup win on Tuesday night, Charlotte will look to carry that momentum into Nashville this weekend. If they can bring home three points, it will be crucial for them to keep pace in the league table ahead of Music City.
Take a look at what the pundits across the league have to say about Charlotte FC's performance and where they rank this week:
ESPN: #6
Previous ranking: 5
“With ambitions to top the East, Charlotte's battle with Columbus on Saturday was always going to serve as a measuring stick for their contender status. Losing 4-2, albeit without star playmaker Pep Biel, puts a damper on any trophy conversations in North Carolina right now.”
GOAL.com: #12
Previous ranking: 8
“A real wake up call for them. CLT needs more from their stars, on both ends of the pitch. Patrick Agyemang has just two goals this MLS season, and is really struggling in the final-third with goal-scoring chances. Notably, though, they were without Pep Biel, arguably their best player this season - and it showed.
Charlotte have now lost two in a row. Of their four losses on the campaign, two of have come against teams above them in the Eastern Conference standings. If they want to compete with the best they have to learn to beat them."
Previous ranking: 6
"The Crown got Crew’d. It happens to the best of us. But Charlotte’s 4-2 loss felt like a reminder that the eye test and underlying numbers suggest there are a few questions Dean Smith's group needs to answer."
Previous ranking: 11
“Charlotte FC will want to move on from this weekend’s 4–2 loss to Columbus Crew SC. Yet, they can also see some slight positives, with continued strong play from Liel Abada, who scored his third goal of the season, and a confidence-boosting penalty marker from Wilfried Zaha.
Against Columbus, head coach Dean Smith’s side got a close look at what a confident identity can do for a team, and that’s precisely what he is attempting to forge for The Crown.”
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