Charlotte FC heads to the Beehive State for the first time in their history. Three points are there for the taking as they're facing a Real Salt Lake who's lost four straight matches.
Here are the three ingredients of the match against Toronto:
Be More Clinical
One of the struggles of this season, particularly early on, was creating scoring opportunities. Charlotte would average more possession than their opponents in every match but couldn’t find ways to translate it into clear scoring opportunities.
However, Charlotte’s attack is starting to get into a groove, creating danger with their possession. They’ve scored five goals in the past three matches, but it could have been even more. Last weekend against Toronto FC, the Crown generated the most Expected Goals (xG) in a game so far this season. Now it’s a matter of being clinical and finishing those opportunities you worked hard to create.
“We had those chances, and we need to be more clinical,” said Head Coach Christian Lattanzio following the Toronto game. “More clinical because we create those chances that weren’t gifted to us... we have to be more clinical because those situations can completely change the complexion of the game.”
Load the Tank
Someone who was brought in this season as a finishing specialist is striker Enzo Copetti who's nickname is “El Tanque” which translates to “The Tank.” But like any tank, it needs ammunition to fire, and the soccer equivalent of ammunition is good service.
Copetti has rarely received the ball in areas where he can use that finishing ability. He’s making the runs, getting into positions, but the passes just aren’t arriving or even being attempted at times. The few times he’s been serviced, he’s transformed half chances into goals. Load the Tank and he will hit the target.
Nothing is Guaranteed
A threatening attack with a clinical finisher facing a team who is leaking goals? Should be music to Charlotte’s ears. RSL are on a four-game losing streak and have conceded four goals in just the last two matches. However, this is still the same Salt Lake squad that made playoffs the past two seasons...
"We take games as they come especially in this league, this league any game can be any result, any team at the bottom can beat a team at the top,” said CLTFC defender Jaylin Lindsey. “We have to go into that game knowing that we want three points... because if we go in there taking it lightly, I mean, they can be deadly.”
Despite RSL’s poor form, Charlotte is by no means guaranteed a win. They still have to go into America First Field and take all three points which they’ve just managed once this season. Don't underestimate Real Salt Lake and there is a good chance to earn the win.
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