u/joshrenza

Thank god for these guys

Two strong goals, lots of momentum to begin, but nothing since. Charlotte seems to play more compact, I’ve noticed a mix of 4-5-1 and 4-2-4 at times. Columbus dominates the possession as the first half ends.

What are your thoughts so far, and who would you replace for the second half?

We’re so back (maybe)

📸: @calamari.media & @renzareport

Charlotte created four big chances, including the penalty, but Pachuca took 20 shots and forced Miller into seven saves.

During the post-match press conference last night, I asked Dean whether Kessler’s run of four straight matches is something we could continue seeing in MLS play.

Do you think Kessler should remain a starter?

Archie Goodwin had his penalty saved, and Charlotte couldn’t convert other chances. Allan Saint-Maximin made his debut today, subbing in at the 72nd minute.

Time to find out whether we’re so back or if it’s so over!

Tim is back, and Tyger enters the starting lineup tonight against Pachuca. The stadium is currently under severe weather protocol. What do we think about the lineup?

I’ve been critical of him before, mainly because the speed and promising runs haven’t always produced enough at the end. (te quiero mucho tyger smalls)

Friday was different. He saw the space behind Atlas’ left side, made the turnover that created Liel Abada’s goal and then scored the second.

Two goals in two Leagues Cup matches. Do you see this as a genuine turning point? Or is he still better suited to changing games from the bench?

I wrote more about his performance here:

https://www.renzareport.com/p/tyger-smalls-charlotte-fc-atlas

He admitted the team has to cut down on the unforced errors that have been costing them, but he also repeatedly stressed how little time he’s actually had to work with the squad.

Then came this:

“The team is going to play well. It will definitely play well, because my teams always play well.”

He sounded much more patient than frustrated and kept coming back to the idea that Atlas need time to understand his movements and ideas.

Do you see enough already to understand what Crespo is trying to build?

I asked Ashley Westwood how he’s feeling mentally and physically after playing so many minutes this season. If you check his stats on Fotmob, he has played a LOT of full 90s.

Instead of focusing much on fatigue, he talked about how Charlotte FC has welcomed him and his family and how much that makes him want to give back.

“I’ll put my body through a lot of things for this football club.”

He also spoke about Charlotte’s resilience after a difficult first half against Atlas and the impact the substitutes made after the break.

Charlotte FC 0-0 Atlas FC at halftime.

18 fouls already in this tight contest, and some clear chances seen blocked from both sides. What do we think?

The rotated group delivered a 3-0 win over Pumas, with Bronico, Goodwin and Smalls scoring and Aloko causing problems out wide. Atlas enters needing a result after losing to Columbus.

Would you continue with the players who performed well against Pumas, or bring more of the usual starters back into the lineup?

I’d like to see Aloko get another start, but I’m interested to see how much Dean changes with Pachuca still coming up on Tuesday.

I asked Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith how he prepares for an Atlas side that has only had Hernán Crespo for a few weeks and is still developing its identity under him.

“I think 85% will be about us. I know the way [Crespo] likes to play, but he’s had a short period of time to be with them.”

Smith said Charlotte will look at Atlas’ recent matches and Crespo’s previous tendencies, but with such a small sample under the new manager, most of the preparation will be focused on Charlotte’s own game.

Atlas/Liga MX fans: what have you seen from Crespo’s first few matches? Is there already a clear identity forming, or is it still too early to tell?

Smith also said Charlotte already has a strong culture in the locker room and that the group has been very welcoming since ASM arrived.

He’s also apparently been “avidly watching” the team since the deal was agreed, which is pretty encouraging to hear before he even steps on the field.

How excited are you to see Saint-Maximin get involved, and where do you think he fits best in this team?

Pumas salió mejor en el segundo tiempo y, especialmente alrededor del minuto 60, sentí que empezó a generar más peligro y encontrar mejores oportunidades ante Charlotte.

Le pregunté a Esteban Solari qué habló con el equipo en el descanso y qué cambió para que Pumas mejorara en ese tramo del partido.

Su respuesta: “Creo que tuvimos ocasiones; no fuimos contundentes.”

A los aficionados de Pumas: ¿ustedes también vieron una mejoría después del descanso? ¿Qué sintieron que cambió en el segundo tiempo y qué le faltó al equipo para aprovechar ese buen momento?

I asked Dean Smith about Brandt Bronico getting on the scoresheet, and he said:

“You can say there was luck about it, but he’s in the right area.”

First goal of 2026 for Bronico, and we finally got to see that celebration again.

How did it feel seeing The Mayor score again? And with the positions he gets himself into from midfield (and the grit that he always plays with), do you think we should be seeing him on the starting XI once again?

Brandt Bronico scores for the first time in 2026, as Charlotte FC leads 1–0 at the half. What do we think?

Dean Smith has some typical subs starting tonight. No Kahlina, Morrison, Abada, or Toklomati. Thoughts?

CLTFC kick off tonight against Pumas in this first match-day of the 2026 Leagues Cup. The Crown looks to bounce back from their 2–0 loss to Chicago three nights ago. Who you got tonight, and who will shine?