Oppo Research: 5 Things about Charlotte FC

In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Jorge Gonzales of Topbin90 to learn more about Charlotte FC, New York City FC's playoff opponent on Saturday afternoon. Here is your NYCFC versus Charlotte preview.

1 . Charlotte need to be more aggressive

Hudson River Blue: NYCFC was able to stifle Charlotte’s attack and limit it to a 0.43 xG. What do you think Dean Smith will change tactically so that Charlotte can be more threatening offensively on Saturday?

Jorge Gonzales: I don’t think there will be many tactical changes. The team has to stick with the same formula that helped them finish in 4th Place.

I think Charlotte needs to be more aggressive from the start and stay focused throughout the entire match. They did a lot of the basic things wrong in the first half of the first match against New York, which I think cost them the game.

All of NYCFC’s seven-figure contracts

Nico Fernández Mercau becomes the 12th player in New York City FC history to make more than $1 million per year. Let’s take a look at all 35 of the club’s seven-figure contracts.

Hudson River BlueOliver Strand

2. Zaha crucial to Charlotte's success

HRB: Liel Abada, who filled in for Wilfried Zaha, had a quiet night on Tuesday. With Zaha returning for Saturday’s game, how important will he be for Charlotte offensively?

JG: Zaha is going to be crucial for Charlotte FC’s chances of winning in New York and forcing a Game 3. He’s been in his best form during the last few games of the season and is the biggest offensive threat Charlotte FC has.

New York City vs Charlotte player ratings

The feels are good after the 1-0 road win in Round One of the playoffs, with Alonso Martínez earning 85% of the vote for Player of the Match for weaving through the Charlotte defense like they were practice mannequins.

Hudson River BlueOliver Strand