Our Hot Take of the Week: How close is Charlotte FC to being a true MLS Cup contender? By the numbers they can if they stay hot. Leave a comment with your take. Full article 👇 topbin90.com/post/hot-take-o…

“You just got to be ready and ready to come on.” Nathan on the pressures of coming on as a sub when the squad is down a goal. He credits his time @ClemsonMSoccer for preparing him well for the challenges of MLS.

Nathan Richmond discusses his appearance with Charlotte tonight. He mentioned the crowd tonight and how they simply showed up for the team. He also went on to talk about his good connection with Will and Byrne on the right side.

“We are the most well-rounded team in this league.” Westwood shares Charlotte’s gearing up for playoffs and the squad’s potential.

Concerning the younger Legacy players earning minutes: Westwood praises Dean’s lack of fear in playing these younger players.

Westwood on the shift in play at halftime: “We were off it in the first half.“ He mentions Dean’s halftime conversation helped better their second half performance.

Tonight’s attendance was around 30,000. Westwood admires the crowd, claiming it is a unique atmosphere here.

Westwood on tonight’s performance: “It’s the same every week. It is what it is… it’s the consistency, they don’t let the game flow.”

Dean mentions that he thought Tyger Smalls was a threat tonight. Smalls came on after Archie’s injury early in the second half.

Dean shares he thought defensively the team was more aggressive the second half. He also discusses his message to the ref at the end of the match: “You look at Ream’s red card at the end of the match. I don’t think that was a penalty… they are handing out yellow cards like confetti at the moment.”

On his Starting XI changes due to international break: “We’ve had the World Cup break… Let’s be honest, we shouldn’t be playing… Doesn’t make sense.”

Dean on Archie Goodwin injury: They think it may be a toe injury. His main worry was that it might have been an Achilles injury. Doesn’t have a definite update yet.

Dean presser just started. Immediately notes the lack of tempo amongst the squad. He also mentions his frustrations with the VAR tonight.

That’s a wrap. Charlotte drops 3 points tonight. Thoughts?

98’ - Ream earns yellow card but escalates to red card. Charlotte playing with 10 men despite being down 1-0. #ForTheCrown | #CLTvCHI | 0-1

91’ - Richmond sets overlapping pass up for Byrne. Byrne crosses it in to Maxi, who sends his one-touch shot just wide of Chicago’s far post. #ForTheCrown | #CLTvCHI | 0-1

86’ - Smalls steals ball within Chicago’s six-yard box and kicks it right into keepers hands. Westwood throws up hands in frustration. #ForTheCrown | #CLTvCHI | 0-1

82’ - yellow card issued to Ashley Westwood. #ForTheCrown | #CLTvCHI | 0-1

81’ - second round of Charlotte subs: Crown Legacy’s Nathan Richmond takes the field. Nathan Byrne on for Cleary. #ForTheCrown | #CLTvCHI | 0-1