In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Daniel Bramlette of the Charlotte Soccer Show to learn more about Charlotte FC, New York City FC‘s opponent on Saturday for the second time this season. Here is your NYCFC vs Charlotte preview.
1. Inconsistent, poor mentality
Hudson River Blue: Charlotte has struggled with consistency this season. It beat Columbus and drew Cincinnati but lost to New England, and was dominated by Minnesota at home. Is the team’s inconsistency because of adjustments under new head coach Dean Smith?
Daniel Bramlette: It could be an adjustment issue, but I think it’s tougher to nail down in reality.
We have inconsistent reasons for our inconsistency, if you will. I think the team is fully bought into Dean’s system, but each time we lose badly, it’s been more down to mentality and just “not showing up on the day.” Add in a couple of injured starters and a few dicey referee decisions and we have definitely struggled to build momentum and a winning streak.
2. Offense needs to be more selfish
HRB: Charlotte is 0-1-3 on the road and has only scored two goals away from the Bank of America Stadium. How can Charlotte find success at Yankee Stadium?
DB: We had just one shot on goal vs Minnesota, which was mostly an anomaly as chance creation has been ok in other games. Best bet in my opinion is to pepper Freese with a heavy volume of shots and hope a few go in. Oftentimes, our attackers have been too unselfish, so let’s fire away a little more early and often on Saturday.
3. Brecht Dejaegere needs to play through the middle
HRB: Brecht Dejaegere was seen as the replacement for Karol Swiderski as the No 10, but has struggled to say the least. Dejaegere has one goal and one assist in nine games, resulting in an xG of 0.64. How can he reach his full potential and provide goals and assists?
DB: Despite being a nominal 10, Brecht has a tendency to drift wide left or right more so than work through the middle. Check the season heat map it’s not great.
A lot of that could be gameplan, of course, but as a fan would love to see what happens if he really focused on straightforward play through the middle and into the box. It feels like he should have two assists – he probably lost one to a deflection – but he does help with creating chances more so than shows up in stats…just a little hesitant at times like Copetti.
He also had an incredibly massive miss on an open net vs Columbus that is tough to forget.
4. The X-Factor: Patrick Agyemang
HRB: What’s the X-Factor that could decide this game?
DB: Patrick Agyemang subbing in vs a tired backline last 20 minutes. Also the returns of center-back and right-back starters Adilson Malanda and Nathan Byrne.
Patrick Agyemang scores vs Columbus Crew
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
DB: A 4-3-3 with double pivot 6s and a 10 as the midfield makeup. Score: 2-2.
