I wrote a preview for Wednesday’s match against Montreal. Some of what’s in it:

• Shots against: 33 in Columbus, 20 in Philadelphia, 27 in Portland. Charlotte scored five and conceded eight in those matches, taking one point.
• Smith on Monday: He said team shape isn’t the cause. He pointed to ball-watching, give-and-goes and clearances, and said where the shots come from matters more than the count.
• Availability: Maxi is back from his sickness bug. Ream is still in the treatment room. Westwood should be OK. Bronico probably misses Wednesday. Doucouré said 15 to 20 minutes would be a good start.

MORE: https://charlottefooty.substack.com/p/3-things-im-thinking-about-before

Ally Financial will remain Charlotte FC’s front-of-kit sponsor well into the next decade after extending a partnership that dates to the MLS club’s inaugural season in 2022. The sides reached the agreement with multiple seasons remaining on the current deal, in part to account for MLS’s move to a summer-to-spring calendar next year.

Financial terms and the precise duration of the extension were not disclosed. The Charlotte Business Journal reported the bank is paying an average of $8M per year under the current deal. MLS front-of-kit sponsorships are typically valued in the mid-seven-figure range annually, with SponsorUnited estimating the average this season at $5.1M.

HQ Image: https://imgur.com/a/tJldOuB

Im out ✌🏼
Sorry for the folks in the shithole of city

Not on the team list for tonight's fixture in Portland.

No Maxi, Ream, BB13.

Revisiting this now that CFC has reached out to members saying that these contracts are still in effect despite them terminating all the PSL agreements.

For Silver Club members, what’s been your experience through this whole process? Has anyone been able to successfully get out of their agreement?

Thanks!

Charlotte (13-9-8, 47 points) closes its three-match road trip Saturday at Providence Park. I wrote up three things I’m thinking about: how Dean Smith wants to keep the game from opening up, Idan Toklomati’s run of eight goals in 10 matches, and who is likely to travel.

I’m traveling to Portland to cover the match in person. I’d like to do more on-the-ground reporting like this, and that depends on paid subscribers. The first part of the piece is free to read, and paid subscribers get the rest. If you’d like to support it, I’d appreciate it.

https://charlottefooty.substack.com/p/3-things-about-charlotte-fc-im-thinking

So I got a super good deal on a medium jersey so I took a risk ( sometimes mediums fit me sometimes not) and turns out I'm too fat and need a large. Anyone willing to swap? I'm located in Wilmington so we would have to mail each other in good faith I guess. It still has the tags brand new.

So we have like 4 games left and still no Doucoure…
Anyone heard any updates to his visa paperwork and approvals?

We have to get a better group to handle these going forward. No other team in the league seems to consistently have this long international paperwork approval process that we consistently have…

I'm coming up for the CF Montreal game on Wednesday, 10/28, & am checking on parking. Don't recall ever reading any of you regular game attendees mentioning this lot.

Thanks!

So, let’s have an around the Crown conversation. What are everyone’s thoughts about last night’s CLTFC draw with Philadelphia Union? I feel like”blah”. Nice to have, better than a loss, but something feels very off with the team.

Inter Miami--55 points

games remaining: @ RBNY, vs. Cincinnati, @ New England, vs. Charlotte

New England--52 points

games remaining: @ Philadelphia, vs. RBNY, vs. Inter Miami, @ Orlando City

Chicago--48 points

games remaining: @ Atlanta United, vs. Orlando City, @ Colorado, vs. Columbus

Charlotte--47 points

games remaining: @ Portland, vs. Montreal, vs. Orlando City, @ Inter Miami

Philadelphia--46 points

games remaining: vs. New England, @ Nashville, @ Cincinnati, vs. Toronto

*I don't think Orlando City, at 41 points, can leap frog into the top 4, but it is possible, as they play us, Chicago, & New England.

Most would probably look at the remaining schedules & say Chicago has the least difficult draw.

My opinion is that if we can get 8 points in our last 4, we'll finish top 4.

Thoughts??

Any Charlotte fans planning on making the trip out west to Portland? I grew up near Portland and have been a fan since I was a kid. When I got stationed on the east coast (Norfolk, VA) in 2021 I wanted an east coast team to follow. Conveniently Charlotte was minted in 2022…perfect timing! While living out east I was able to attend a match and the vibes were fantastic.

I’ve continued to follow CFC since moving back west, and always root for them, except when they play Portland. I was curious if any CFC supporters were gonna make the trip out west. I’d love to buy you a beer and hopefully swap scarfs. Thanks!

Charlotte Independence just won the player's shield (supporters shield equivalent). I'd be curious to hear if anyone follows this team and what players you think would be cool to try out in Charlotte given our issue at midfield (and depth at other positions)!

I hope Pep says "Hold my cerveza" next Saturday!

Wrote up my thoughts right after the final whistle. A few of them:

• Five changes to the XI. Toffolo getting a breather with two games this week makes sense, but Ream, Bronico, Abada and Cleary sitting feels like a message too.
• First half had no energy. Westwood and Tok both missed high-percentage chances.
• Tok’s third straight game with a goal, plus a great kick save from Kahlina right before it, put Charlotte up 2-1.
• Kessler was a step late on the Damiani equalizer. I’m curious whether Smith thinks the effort was fine. (Update: Dean was fine with it, but admitted he was a step too late.)
• Kahlina was POTG again. Opponents get more shots on target against us, and he leads MLS in saves.

Both teams played like it was the playoffs.

I do these Instant Reactions after every Charlotte FC match at Charlotte Footy: https://charlottefooty.substack.com/p/postgame-instant-reactions-charlotte-37d