A Tough Challenge Awaits: SDFC vs Charlotte FC Match Preview

San Diego FC had their fair share of tough matchups during their Inaugural season. Looking back at a few particular matchups, it’s no wonder the media pundits had them finishing bottom of the table. The first ever game for SDFC was away against a defending MLS champ. The second away game was in altitude vs RSL. The second home game was against an MLS powerhouse who currently sits atop the Eastern Conference. The third home game was against another MLS powerhouse and a team many are picking to win the championship this year, LAFC. The following game was against a storied and always tough Seattle squad. The results from the 5 games listed? 4 wins and a draw. What if I told you their toughest test is yet to come in the form of facing Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina? As always, let’s get into it!

The game of soccer, on a grandeur scale, is about creating and capitalizing on opportunities. In the two games that SDFC lost this season, there was a clear lack of the ‘capitalizing’ part. San Diego has the playmakers who create dangerous opportunities but do they have the players who can and will put those opportunities away? I believe the answer is a strong ‘Yes’.

As confidence grows within the club as a collective unit – it will also grow within the individual players. Think about it. Some of the best youth clubs are the ones who have played together through the years. Confidence in each other and chemistry is not something anyone can measure or put into a stat but it does wonders when it comes to getting results.

Speaking of Stats

Apart from trying to measure the immeasurable, there are some interesting stats that will help us understand the strengths and weaknesses of both teams going into this weekend. San Diego still leads the league in possession, something they are consistent at on a game-to-game basis. They will surely out possess Charlotte (who are mid-table when it comes to possession) and dictate pace of the game.

Charlotte currently sit 6th out of 30 in shots allowed. Looking back through some of their games, it is noticeable that they do a good job of transitioning. Their defense is stout and a huge part of that is the ability to get back to defend and crowd the box. When teams do that, it forces the other teams to take more shots from the outside.

Coincidently, SDFC are currently 7th out of 30 in total shots. This sets up well for San Diego to take advantage of Charlotte’s weakness and play to their strength. A high number of shots is definitely in the books for this match, enough to keep reigning goalkeeper of the year Kristijan Kahlina busy. Kahlina is currently the number one GK in save percentage. He’s been absolutely incredible for The Crown this season and will surely prove to be tough to beat.

This also brings us to the next point where the two aforementioned stats (high number of shots allowed and save percentage) are related. When Charlotte allows teams to shoot from outside of the box, it almost relieves Kahlina of making a much harder, close-shot save. SDFC will need to figure out a way to get the ball into the box often and early via crosses and through balls.

An incredible stat that sets up SDFC nicely in this matchup is they are the leader in through balls this year – by a long shot. San Diego hit 25 through-balls this year with the closest team having 16. This speaks to who they are and the playing style that Mikey Varas implemented.

Keys to the Game

As mentioned before, Charlotte is very good at transition. They press high but they also drop fast. SDFC will need to figure out how to get in behind the defense in a quick manner by playing fast out of the back, an opposite of the game they played at Colorado. Surely, this game will be played with pace.

Where Charlotte has struggled in the past was when teams dropped their top striker into the midfield to gain and hold possession of the ball and then distribute it to the attacking wings to play wide or to an overlapping midfielder through the middle. This creates confusion within the Charlotte defense and sends guys scrambling while looking to pick up runs.

Valakari will have to be the distributor and play a big offensive role in this match. San Diego’s ability to create chances and score will be dictated by three key factors:

1. The pace of the team in the transition.

2. The quick distribution of the ball while playing out of the back to create chances.

3. Ability to be relentless in finishing their chances.

Players to Watch

Undoubtedly, the most popular name on the Charlotte side will be Wilfried Zaha. The Ivoirian striker had a storied career in England, playing for Crystal Palace, where he scored 69 goals in 369 appearances from 2015-2023. Prior to that, Zaha rose through the ranks of Manchester United, where he spent two years but failed to make more than two appearances.

Zaha brings experience and tremendous footwork to The Crown side who are using their star DP like SDFC uses Chucky. He starts on the left and has the ability to create chances with the help of his great vision and passing. Zaha, who has a 19 yard average shot distance, likes to shoot from outside of the box so being able to close him down quick will be the challenge of the day for the San Diego defense.

Another name to look out for will be Pep Biel. The Spaniard midfielder currently leads the MLS in assists (5) and leads Charlotte with goals scored (3). He’s a shifty midfielder who is able to get into tight areas and make uncharacteristic runs that confuse the opponent’s defense. Also, his skill on the ball will be something to watch for as he is very hard to dispossess.

Projected Lineups

San Diego will go with the same lineup they went with last game but it would not be surprising if Mikey Varas made a few changes. It is possible Negri gets the bench spot and Willy gets the start. Negri has not impressed and made a crucial mistake in playing out of the back last game. Tomas Angel has made an immediate impact and it is not crazy to think that he may get his chance to do it again on Saturday, replacing Valakari.

Charlotte will look to attack the defensive lines of San Diego in order to force turnovers after Colorado did it so well last weekend. The defense may be in a bit of a limbo in terms of injuries. Tim Ream (lung) and Nathan Byrne (neck), the two starting outside backs have been dealing with injuries and are day-for-day. If they miss this game, Charlotte will have to rely on players who aren’t natural outside backs to fill in those roles, which is not ideal. Byrne is a special defensive player for Charlotte so if he is missing then it may be time for Nick Scardina, a young 23 year old player to step up but the inexperience in that position may prove to be costly.

Massive Match

Undoubtedly, this is a massive match for both clubs. San Diego going in to “The Fortress”, as Charlotte fans like to call Bank of America Stadium, where Charlotte is unbeaten this season, will be a huge task. Mikey Varas addressed the media after practice on Thursday and said the team is looking forward to tough matchups, they want to play the best. Charlotte will be looking to prove themselves against a tough San Diego team and continue their unbeaten streak at home. The game will hang on which team can capitalize more on their chances because there will be plenty of them. Get ready for the action and the drama that this match will surely bring and as always, LFGSDFC!!

I recently started writing for the East Village Times, covering SDFC. Make sure to check out my content there as well.

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