Field Level Media
18 Mar 2023, 07:55 GMT+10
Charlotte FC have looked vulnerable in early matches this season and so there might be another chance for Orlando City to make the best of the situation and start cranking out more offense.
The teams have created different identities so far and they meet Saturday night in Orlando, Fla.
Orlando(1-0-2, 5 points) is undefeated through three MLS games for only the third time in club history, also holding that distinction in 2016 and 2021. The team has mostly relied on stingy defense.
Charlotte (0-3-0, 0 points) needs a good result to wipe away the sting of a ragged opening month of the season, with defensive breakdowns proving costly.
"We need to have belief," Charlotte FC coach Christian Lattanzio said.
Orlando is aiming for three consecutive home shutouts for the first time in its MLS history.
Orlando City had a diversion from the MLS this week with Wednesday's Champions League draw with Tigres UANL, causing elimination in the round of 16.
"We have used a lot of players in the last few games, too, trying to accommodate the loads in training and obviously just try to keep the team the best possible," Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja said.
Now it's back to concentrating on MLS matters for Orlando City.
There shouldn't be panic brewing for Charlotte FC, its coach said. Last year, the team lost its first three games and then responded by winning three of the next four.
"There is some good work from the boys that goes on from the daily basis," Lattanzio said.
The ball has ended up in the Charlotte FC net too frequently.
"It's a game of mistakes as well," Lattanzio said. "Unfortunately, when you make certain mistakes, you pay that price. ... I still believe we have to play aggressively. We have to play with an attacking mind. We have to refine how we deal with counterattack."
Lattanzio said the system in use isn't too complex, though he bears the responsibility of making it work. There have been players placed in interchangeable positions, though that hasn't necessarily been the reason for the team allowing three goals in each of the past two games.
"I think they can play in those positions," Lattanzio said. "There are certain differences, of course. I think at certain moments we made mistakes."
Charlotte FC will have to be aware of rookie forward Duncan McGuire, who scored in his MLS debut last week against D.C. United. McGuire was the NCAA goals leader last year for Creighton, posting a school-record 23 goals.
Orlando City defeated Charlotte FC twice last season, both by 2-1 scores.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Charlotte Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Charlotte Star.
More InformationWARSAW, Poland: As part of European Union (EU) sanctions imposed against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Poland banned all ...
MONTGOMERY, Alabama: Last week, Alabama's school chief, Superintendent Eric Mackey, said that under new reading benchmarks to move to fourth ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: Last week, the Federal Reserve said its losses surpassed the US$100 billion mark and will likely continue to ...
ARLINGTON, Virginia: This week, the U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of drone-related munitions and other systems to Canada ...
BETHESDA, Maryland: This week, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) said that it started early-stage human trials on FluMos-v2, ...
MAUI, Hawaii: Hawaii Governor Josh Green has announced that the death toll from last month's deadly fire on Maui has ...
NEW YORK: This week, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla and Saudi Arabia ...
NEW YORK, New York - Interest rates could stay higher for longer, but there is the possibility of rate cuts ...
STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Days before the Riksbank, Sweden's central bank, is expected to again raise interest rates, the Swedish krona hit ...
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana: As Midwest farmers prepare to harvest crops and send tons of grain downriver to the Gulf of ...
JAKARTA, INDONESIA: Government data released this week showed that as imports, such as raw materials and capital goods, declined more ...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. investors fretted Tuesday while the U.S. central bank deliberated on whether to hike interest ...