Charlotte FC Stock Up, Stock Down: Privett stands out, Bender subbed at the half

By Sam Vanolinda

Andrew Privett (Photo courtesy of Cisco's Art/TopBin90)

Charlotte FC has had an awe-inspiring season so far. One thing they have lacked, however, is 

the ability to fight back when going down in a game. This may cause some concern if it continues through the season. To make a playoff run, you must battle through adversity and get wins from a losing situation.

Charlotte headed to H-Town on Saturday night to face the Houston Dynamo, and lost 0-1, in a game in which they were thoroughly outplayed. 

The difference in this game was Houston's quality of passing in the final third. The entire attack of the Dynamo felt connected and the passing was smooth. Charlotte FC, on the other hand, was disjointed, and Ben Bender was not able to come into that 10 position and be effective.

Amine Bassi was a perfect example of what Charlotte FC is missing in the 10 position. He was 94% on passing, with three chances created, 14 passes into the final third, and was not dispossessed the entire game.

Here is the stock up and stock down for Saturday’s game.

Stock Up

Andrew Privett

In a game where not many players in blue stood out, Privett was excellent. He had some great tackles against the effective Houston offense and was comfortable on the ball.

He was 89% passing, with 16/20 accurate long balls, he also had a last-man tackle, a block, three clearances, five recoveries, and four duels won. 

He was solid in all phases of the game, but no other players on the team showed up in Houston.

Bank of America Stadium

I have said this many times this year, but the away and home differences for this team are very much apparent. 6-4-1 at home and 3-1-6 on the road show how much the team feeds off the home energy. 

Most teams in America do thrive at home, but not many teams can match the energy and noise that the Bank makes on a Saturday night.

All this proves is that all the fans who do attend the games need to keep giving the team their energy because obviously, it inspires the players to get those points.

Stock Down

Ben Bender

Ben Bender had the chance again to make an impact from that crucial center attacking mid position in this 4-2-3-1 formation but was unable to.

11 passes and 13 touches from the position of the field that is most key to success is not good enough. You have to be the glue that connects the team, and he was not on Saturday night.

There was a lack of cohesion for all the players on offense. This game proves that a 10 should still be the number one priority in this transfer window.

Bender’s stat sheet was almost empty, it just seemed like he wasn’t on the field making any impact. We all know he has the quality and the knack for a timely goal, but Houston was not where he returned to form.

He was subbed off at the half and Dean Smith said the pressing in the first half was not right, so it seemed like Bender was just not on the same page as the Gaffer against the Dynamo.

Patrick Agyemang

Every time he has had a great performance this year he could not follow it up with further success. That is why the team still doesn’t have consistent scoring.

Agyemang was not provided great service by any means, but when he did receive the ball he did not do much.

2/9 on ground duels and 0/2 in aerial duels, four fouls committed, zero shots, and only 17 total touches are not what you need from your striker.

Summary

It was a tough road matchup against an in-form team. There is no need to look too deep into it. That being said, Charlotte will need to have a couple of come-from-behind wins this season, that is what separates the good teams from the great.

Charlotte will face Miami without Messi in what will surely be a fun game Wednesday.