Ashley Westwood believes Charlotte FC are clicking on the proper time, with an MLS Cup Playoff spot already secured forward of their weekend conflict with CF Montreal.
Charlotte made sure of a playoff place by edging a seven-goal thriller towards the Chicago Hearth in midweek, Karol Swiderski netting twice in a 4-3 win for Dean Smith’s males.
They face Montreal, who’re one place and 5 factors under them within the standings, at Financial institution of America Stadium on Saturday, as they gear up for a second playoff run in as a few years.
Captain and former Aston Villa midfielder Westwood believes Charlotte’s run of seven factors – and 9 targets – in three matches has come on the superb second.
“All of it comes with us beginning to know folks’s actions,” Westwood advised WFNZ Sports activities Radio.
“It’s not simple to return straight right into a group and folks count on issues to click on right away, however everybody has totally different actions. Lastly, it seems to be prefer it’s clicking on the proper time.”
Montreal wish to make sure of a wild-card place, having clinched an enormous 2-1 victory over Atlanta United final day trip – courtesy of former 5 Stripes hero Josef Martinez.
“We fought for this win and it’s a essential one for us,” Martinez mentioned. “In fact, coming to this stadium with these followers, to play towards this membership was robust.
“It’s all the time laborious and I’ve a whole lot of love for them however I’m skilled and I must battle for my colors.
“We’re pleased with this victory, however we have to give attention to Charlotte now. Now we battle for one cause and it’s to make the playoffs. The group is on the identical web page and this is the reason we’re scoring targets.”
e dans l’Est
2 video games to go. Allez Montréal #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/6D3DQtBVe6
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) October 4, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Charlotte FC – Karol Swiderski
Swiderski scored twice on Wednesday along with his first strike coming within the eighth minute, the fifth time he has scored within the first 10 minutes of an MLS match for Charlotte.
Just one different participant in group historical past has scored a number of targets inside the first 10 minutes of matches in MLS play (Yordy Reyna, with two).
CF Montreal – Josef Martinez
Martinez scored two targets towards his former membership Atlanta on Wednesday, his twenty fourth profession multi-goal MLS match.
Solely Landon Donovan (32) and Chris Wondolowski (25) have extra such video games in league historical past.
MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE FC WIN
Montreal are unbeaten in 5 all-time conferences with Charlotte in MLS (4 wins, one draw), together with a 2-1 house win on September 14. Charlotte’s solely level towards Montreal got here within the groups’ final assembly at Financial institution of America Stadium, a scoreless attract June 2023.
Nonetheless, that might change right here. The Crown have scored 4 targets in every of their final two house matches, in wins over the New England Revolution and Chicago Hearth. They beforehand had simply two MLS matches (house or away) with 4 or extra targets of their historical past.
Montreal’s midweek conquer Atlanta was their first street win in 13 makes an attempt in MLS (4 attracts, eight defeats), and a repeat seems to be unlikely right here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Charlotte FC – 52.7%
CF Montreal – 23.1%
Draw – 24.2%
