Ride Momentum

Caleb Adams

Charlotte FC look to make it four wins in a row against an MLS original – LA Galaxy.

Here are the three ingredients of the match:

Play With Personality

After several underperforming seasons, the LA Galaxy have made a significant comeback this year. They have re-established themselves as a star team, displaying real personality on the field.

How do you counter a team like that? By playing with personality yourself.

Following the gritty win against the Chicago Fire, Ashley Westwood emphasized the team's display of "personality." For Dean Smith, playing with personality means playing with a certain freedom and fostering strong connections with teammates.

Charlotte cannot afford to play passively and let the Galaxy outshine them, especially with the support of their home crowd.

Starts at the Back

Charlotte's defensive structure, particularly their backline, has been the cornerstone of their impressive three consecutive clean sheets.

"I was really pleased defensively with how hard we’ve worked as a team, and we're getting better," praised Smith.

The LA Galaxy boast one of the most potent offenses in the league, currently tied for second in goals scored this season. Smith described them as "All-Stars" due to the high individual quality across their roster.

Charlotte must remain diligent in their defensive responsibilities and protect the ball during possession. These efforts start at the back and, if successful, benefit the entire team on both ends of the field.

“There’s something you can't see or measure; it’s called momentum,” explained Dean Smith. “It feels like the players have a bit of momentum right now. So, while you have it, you’ve certainly got to make the most of it and ride with it.”

Momentum is a critical but often overlooked factor in sports. A team riding the wave of momentum can run a little longer, stay more focused, and play with a belief that propels them to new heights.

Charlotte is currently riding that wave of momentum and needs to continue doing so in what might be their most challenging match of the season so far.

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