Charlotte FC’s Stock Up, Stock Down: Maxi’s first goal gives Charlotte FC all three points against DC United
By Billy McGee (@iambillymcgee)
Charlotte FC extended their unbeaten streak to eight with their 2-1 win over 11th-place DC United. They have amassed 18 points across those eight games, pushing them into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 10 matches left to play.
Here’s a look at our Stock Up, Stock Down for Charlotte FC’s win against DC United.
Stock Up
Ashley Westwood - Charlotte FC’s captain returned from his two-match suspension and showed exactly why he is one of the club’s most important players. Westwood put Charlotte ahead with a screamer from outside the box in the 22nd minute, his first goal since July 25, and was credited with the assist on Allan Saint-Maximin’s game-winning goal in the 71st minute. Westy also had the most touches in the match (86) while making 11 passes into the final third and going 7/10 on accurate long balls.
Allan Saint-Maximin - Maxi makes a case to be included as a stock up every week, but the case is a new one after the DC United game. The new DP recorded his first goal for the club with what ultimately became the deciding goal of the game. Maxi also successfully completed three dribbles, the joint-most in the match. If he becomes a consistent goal threat for the Crown, that opens up a new dynamic in the attack that could help lead Charlotte to a higher finish in the Eastern Conference.
Absorbing pressure - Coming off a game where they allowed three goals on 28 shots, Charlotte followed that up by allowing even more shot attempts (30), but held the opposition to just one goal. At the press conference after the team’s Thursday training session, David Schnegg spoke about Charlotte FC allowing the opposition to take a high volume of shots. “I don’t feel really that we defend too much, or like, getting under pressure too much,” said Schnegg. “I think it’s the style we want to play.” The team seems to be fine with allowing their opponents to take these low-percentage chances and wait for their counter-attacking chances.
Stock Down
Liel Abada - Abada has been in good form recently, but in what is his last match before his call-up to the Israeli national team, he was lackluster. He took three shots, putting them all on target, but failed to convert his 0.5xG into an actual goal. The DP winger also went 12/18 on accurate passes and failed to successfully complete any dribbles on five attempts.
David Schnegg - Schnegg played 69 minutes in the match before being subbed off for Harry Toffolo. In his time on the pitch, he went 51/62 on accurate passes and had just five defensive contributions. While he did not have a bad game, it was not anything to write home about. Schnegg needs to impress when on the pitch if he wants to keep his starting job with Toffolo now back from his injury.
Converting possession into quality chances - The Crown held a majority of possession in the match (56%) while having just 10 shots worth 0.9 xG and just 13 touches in the box. All of these numbers were well below DC United’s marks, with less possession. While ending the game with +3 points is all that matters, this is not something that Charlotte will want to become a trend moving forward in their push for a top-four seed in the playoffs.
Set pieces - Charlotte FC has typically been good on set pieces this season, both attacking and defending, especially after hiring a set piece coach earlier in the season. However, they have struggled recently on set pieces, with their last three goals conceded from set pieces. If they return to their usual form on set pieces, it could catapult them higher in the standings, as they are getting favorable results while having those struggles.
