Charlotte FC boss Dean Smith believes “mentality” is the primary challenge for sides daunted by away journeys.
Smith takes his workforce to face the Chicago Fireplace on Wednesday, with Charlotte having taken only one level from their 5 away video games in MLS up to now this season.
However Smith struggles to see why there may be such a distinction in confidence between dwelling and away fixtures.
“Mentality,” mentioned Smith when requested what the difficulty was.
“I consider some folks, earlier than they even go away, have accepted it’s going to be more durable. The one purpose it’s more durable is as a result of that’s in your head. Sure, you’ve received to journey, you haven’t received dwelling followers or dwelling benefit, however the pitches are nonetheless the identical dimension, you’ve nonetheless received to get into your field and rating a aim, and so they’ve received to get in yours and also you’ve received to defend your field.
“I don’t suppose there’s an excessive amount of in it aside from you will have your followers behind you and residential comforts. We must always have had extra factors on the highway, our performances merited extra factors however we’ve not taken possibilities on the highway up to now.”
Charlotte have received their final two video games, each at dwelling, whereas the Fireplace are on a five-game winless run.
“I’ve simply been watching clips of them. It’s going to be a troublesome recreation, as everybody retains telling me, it’s robust on the highway,” Smith mentioned.
“We’ll attempt to change that. They received beat on the weekend so it’s a little bit of a troublesome time for them however we now have to focus on ourselves.”
All eyes on Chicago. We maintain urgent to be higher.#ForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/xLPSr8l27H
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) Might 14, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chicago Fireplace – Hugo Cuypers
The Fireplace have failed to attain in three straight regular-season dwelling video games for the third time in membership historical past. Cuypers is their high scorer, with three objectives this time period, and the onus will likely be on him to get firing once more.
Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang
Patrick Agyemang scored Charlotte’s winner in opposition to Nashville SC final trip, making him the workforce’s main scorer in MLS in 2024, with three objectives to his title.
MATCH PREDICTION: CHICAGO WIN
Whereas Chicago are made the favourites by Opta’s mannequin, Charlotte have recorded back-to-back shutout wins. Charlotte have by no means received three straight regular-season matches with out conceding a aim, one thing no workforce has managed to do in MLS in 2024.
Chicago are winless in 5 straight video games and has simply 10 factors via their first 12 this season (W2 D4 L6). The Fireplace have had fewer factors at this stage of a season solely as soon as earlier than, taking 9 factors via 12 matches in 2020.
Charlotte have received three straight matches in opposition to the Fireplace after Chicago received the primary assembly, 3-2. Charlotte have by no means received 4 straight conferences with a single opponent, although.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Chicago Fireplace – 41.1%
Charlotte – 29.9%
Draw – 29%
