South Charlotte Today

When Charlotte FC brought in Dean Smith as Head Coach, there was uncertainty about how his strategies would adapt to Major League Soccer (MLS). Now, after five matches into the 2024 season, some clarity is emerging on Smith's approach with the team.

Charlotte FC has recorded two wins, one draw, and two losses, placing them 7th in the Eastern Conference. However, results alone do not capture the complete picture.

The rise of data analytics in soccer has provided deeper insights into team and player performance. Although not conclusive, these analytics offer valuable perspectives on understanding a team's current standing and potential.

A notable statistic for Charlotte is their Goals Allowed (xGA), which assesses the quality of scoring opportunities they concede. Currently ranked 2nd in the Eastern Conference with an xGA of 3.8 over five matches, this suggests a strong defensive capability under Smith’s guidance.

On average, Charlotte allows 0.76 xGA per match, indicating their ability to limit high-quality chances for opponents. This defensive strength is reflected in observations by other MLS coaches. Toronto FC Head Coach John Herdman commented after their March 9th match: “It was a tough tactical battle,” acknowledging that "Dean’s got them well organized."

Despite losing that game to a remarkable goal by Lorenzo Insigne, Charlotte's defense remains difficult to breach—achieving Smith’s aim of being "tough to beat."

Offensively, Charlotte ranks around the middle in chance creation with a total of 7.0 Expected Goals (xG), placing them 7th in the Eastern Conference. They have scored five goals from an expected seven this season, indicating room for improvement in converting chances.

Charlotte's Expected Goal Difference (xGD) stands at +3.0, ranking them 2nd in the Eastern Conference—a commendable position given their challenging schedule including three consecutive away games and a home match against the defending champions.

These statistics suggest that if Charlotte maintains its defensive solidity and improves goal conversion—potentially aided by new Designated Player Leil Abada—they could become significant contenders in the conference.