After Charlotte FC's impressive 4-1 victory over Liga MX side Necaxa, the atmosphere inside the home team's locker room was nothing short of a celebration. The win not only ended their winless streak but also secured their position as the winners of their Leagues Cup group, all in front of their passionate fans.
The match showcased one of the most comprehensive performances of the season, with Charlotte displaying fluid attacking play, proactive defending, and the mental resilience that Head Coach Christian Lattanzio has been working hard to instill since taking charge of the team.
“I feel very well because I see the thing that pleases me the most, which is to see the players play with personality, togetherness, playing the game that we want to play and creating chances, just really being ourselves,” Lattanzio said of his team post-match.
Lattanzio and his players felt immense pride in the performance, as they felt it reflected the hard work and dedication they have invested in shaping their team's identity. The display against Necaxa showcased all the characteristics they have been working on that embody their identity. Aside from some early scares from effective Necaxa set piece play, Charlotte dictated the match and played with a newfound freedom that had been relatively scarce throughout the season.
“As the game went on, we managed to do something that I am very proud of which was to play the game on our terms, because they obviously had a different strategy. They wanted to play the game on their terms, but our boys stayed [strong],” Lattanzio said. “I thought it was a very professional second half, where we kept the ball moving side to side... so yes, I'm very pleased because I also saw the boys enjoy playing together, and this is the most important thing for me.”
Another standout area for Charlotte FC in Leagues Cup has been their SuperDraft picks, who have – sometimes unexpectedly – played key roles in the tournament. Andrew Privett’s first two CLTFC starts in defense, as well as Ben Bender’s and Patrick Agyemang’s goal contributions both in regulation and in the penalty shootout against Dallas, were all evidence of the Club’s young players rising to the occasion.
“It’s a young flair, we are just hungry,” Agyemang said on the crop of ex-college players at the club. “Young guys, you usually would think we are nervous and anxious to play but every single one of us wants to play. We want to show what we can do on and off the field. Anytime we get our chance, we want to take it. You see Benny [Bender] come on against Dallas and score the equalizer for us and we step up for penalty kicks. We just want to do whatever we can to help the team and show that we are ready to play.”
Lattanzio had nothing but praise for Agyemang, who has become a mainstay in the first team and justified his position with a solid outing capped off by scoring the final goal in the match against Necaxa.
“I thought that today we saw a different Patrick, not just scoring the goal but the way he played with his back to goal,” Lattanzio said. “He showed in certain moments that another possibility is that he can hold the ball and bring players into play, which is something he didn't have at the beginning of season. So, credit to the way he's been working and the way he has been listening.”
Agyemang has become a familiar face in the first team, but a different player was just brought into the fold out of necessity. Midfielder turned center back Andrew Privett, a third-round pick and a player who has been in and out of the lineup for Crown Legacy FC, earned himself a start in Leagues Cup after his debut against C.F. Montreal when he came in for an injured Guzmán Corujo.
Privett found himself thrust into one of soccer's most challenging and high-stakes positions, but he rose to the occasion and performed admirably. When asked about his individual performances, he was quick to credit the team's veterans, acknowledging their guidance and support that helped him navigate through the demanding situations.
“I’m definitely learning as I go. I’m personally happy with the way I played,” he said. “Looking back, learning little things, and little tips and tricks. A lot of the older guys and veterans come up to me even during the game, pulling me under their wing and telling me little things to do in the game and I try to use that to my advantage. They help me a lot so credit to those guys.”
The team has embraced this tournament as a collective fresh start, and their performance on the field is a clear reflection of this approach. There is clearly a desire to make a big impact in the Leagues Cup, but above all, they view it as an opportunity to revitalize their entire season and use it as a springboard for a playoff push when league play returns in mid-August.
“It [the result] was exactly what we needed, especially in this time going into the knockout rounds. We needed a dominant performance, and we showed it today,” Lattanzio said. “We just need to build on this momentum, keep going, and hopefully continue to grow and bring it to MLS.”
