The announcement of Charlotte FC’s acquisition of Liel Abada, a highly sought-after winger, made waves yesterday. Before the team’s next game against Toronto FC, head coach Dean Smith spoke to the media. Understandably, attention quickly shifted to Charlotte’s newest member.
Not unexpectedly, the first questions were about Abada and what he can offer the squad.
About the newest member of his team, Smith remarked, “To get a player of his caliber… the consistency he’s had the last couple of seasons with Celtic is a big coup for ourselves.”
“He’ll inject originality into the last third.” He both sets and scores goals. He has likely scored ten goals and created seven or eight in the last two seasons. A wide player with 18 goal involvements in a season is a good player, in my opinion.
Because they couldn’t convert on scoring opportunities, Charlotte FC lost out on a chance to win two points against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Smith remarked, “You have to take your chances, and we didn’t.”
Abada is a player who can turn those chances into goals in the future, making Charlotte a more dangerous side to play against in addition to cementing their status as a tough opponent. The club has excelled at defense, but their next matchup against Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne, two former Italian internationals, will be their worst defensive test to date.
Smith said, “We’ve done very well defensively.” We’ve limited the opponents, and we’re probably going to take the game to the next level with those two individuals. We must have good levels of concentration.
Although Smith has focused on strengthening set piece defense, the club has been difficult to break down in open play. In their game against the Whitecaps, Charlotte gave up a goal from a set piece, and in their earlier meeting in Toronto, they gave up two goals from corner kicks, including one that was scored by Bernardeschi straight out of a corner (an Olimpico).
We scored one in the opening game, so you know how crucial they are. We have been devotedly working on these.
Smith expressed sadness for not being able to meet the Charlotte FC supporters who traveled to Vancouver, but he did have a message for them as they arrived at BMO Field.
“I am aware that several of our followers were present, and we sincerely appreciate you making the long trip… There might be a few more coming to Toronto, so please let me know if you’re coming, and I’ll definitely come over and give you a wave.
GET MORE NEWS HERE