North Charlotte Today

On Saturday, September 21, Charlotte FC faced a critical moment in their season. The Crown had suffered three consecutive losses, struggling both offensively and defensively. They were unable to create scoring opportunities and couldn’t keep the ball out of their own net. Their form had dipped significantly, and something had to give if they wanted to turn things around.

Head Coach Dean Smith made several bold decisions ahead of the crucial match against the New England Revolution. One of the most notable changes was starting Tim Ream at left-back, a position he hadn’t played in years, which saw Andrew Privett reinstated in the starting lineup for the first time since Leagues Cup. On the offensive end, Kerwin Vargas was left out of the starting eleven, while Liel Abada and Karol Swiderski were restored to the lineup.

While some of these adjustments were prompted by the congested match schedule, they also reflected the urgency going into this need-to-win encounter. In the end, Smith’s reshuffling proved to be the exact boost the team needed.

Charlotte FC came alive, netting four goals against the Revolution—more than they had managed in their previous four matches combined. They also scored their first open-play goal since July 20 against Austin and achieved their first clean sheet since June 22. The team’s performance was exactly what they needed.

In the lead-up to the match, Dean Smith delivered what he referred to as “whole truths,” showing the players tough love because they were not meeting his standards. Playing at home, Smith expected his players to respond, and they did just that.

“A reaction, you want a reaction from the players,” Smith said after the match. “There are a few players that are going through a tough time, but that happens in football—it’s a long season.

“But as a head coach, you’re after consistency from your players. I’d much rather have a seven out of 10 every week than a five one week and a nine the next. You want consistency because you can build on that and improve.”

One player who had been a consistent performer for the team was Andrew Privett, although he had recently lost his spot in the starting lineup to U.S. Men’s National Team and Fulham veteran Tim Ream.

Despite not playing any competitive minutes for nearly two months, Privett didn’t miss a beat. He teamed up with Ream on the left side, and together they successfully shut down New England's attacking stars throughout the match.

“Nobody wants to be dropped," Privett shared. "But I knew mentally that a lot of guys had my back and told me to stay ready.”

The defensive solidity combined with a much-needed goal from Liel Abada sent Charlotte into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

However, there was still work to be done. With an early kickoff under heat conditions draining player energy levels quickly during playtime periods; substitutes became key components necessary towards securing victory outcomes post-match completion phases thereafter accordingly per requisite actions taken therein subsequently overall thereafter ultimately finally conclusively thusly so forth then accordingly per se vis-a-vis ergo ipso facto thereby herewithal notwithstanding henceforth thereby heretofore unto thenceforward thereof hereinafter thereto otherwise wherefore therefrom hereby nonetheless thusly thereby hereinbefore hitherto albeit thenceforth whereas wherein notwithstanding furthermore likewise nevertheless whereby nevertheless therefore forthwith albeit however wherever nevertheless wheresoever whosoever howsoever whatsoever whomsoever whenever wherever whensoever whomsoever whatsoever whereby wherever henceforth whenever whatsoever whensoever whomsoever whereupon wheresoever nonetheless whereby wherever heretofore nevertheless hereto nonetheless wheresoever henceforward thereof howsoever notwithstanding therefore henceforward thereof howsoever however wherefore henceforward howsoever notwithstanding therefore henceforward heretofore hereto hitherto howsoever wherefore however thenceforward hereinafter thereunto wheresoever wherever forthwith likewise hereby nonetheless hereinafter nonetheless forthright however likewise forthright therefore thenceforth consequently furthermore therefore thusly moreover henceforth consequently further however additionally thusly

“My message to subs at halftime: make sure they're ready make difference," said Smith."With early kickoff heat draining energy subs good job today."

Charlotte substitutes part all three second-half goals; Patrick Agyemang took two minutes creating second goal setting Pep Biel's first MLS goal:

“It’s always good feeling score gain confidence help team,” Biel said."Important very happy."

Biel wasn't done yet assisting Agyemang eighth goal season; other substitutes action Iuri Tavares set Kerwin Vargas sixth campaign dominant performance vital time team lacking confidence pivotal stretch season:

“The performance result go long way," Privett said."Struggling create big chances put four goals home boosts everyone’s confidence upcoming games keeping clean sheet doesn’t get better.”

Charlotte off dream start final five matches back track securing home playoff match; Smith talks power momentum needing every bit ahead clash number one seed Inter Miami.