We often debate the question about how important home field advantage is to a team. Charlotte FC (3-4) once again proved that no debate is necessary as they defeated Atlanta United 1-0 on an amazing Olimpico goal to improve their home record to 3-1 on this young season.
Over 32,000 fans got to witness Jordy Alcivar’s Olimpico goal, which by definition is a goal scored directly off a corner kick without contact by another player. That goal would prove to be enough as it was the only goal scored during the entire match,
“The truth is I was practicing a lot this week with Ben Bender,” said Alcivar “I think I practiced it enough to be able to do it today.”
Alcivar, who hadn’t played many minutes this season, was happy with his progression. “In the beginning, it was very complicated to find my rhythm, but I think I started getting annoyed and just kept working hard. I wanted to get to the MLS rhythm, and I think slowly I started to get there.”
Coach Miguel Ramirez once again had nothing but praise for this young team and when asked if he ever thought his team might lose, he responded, “We should have done more to take advantage of plays. Also, the history with Atlanta and the last few matches shows that you can get them if you come with life. No, I did not think that, but I knew they would take advantage of it if we gave them the opportunity. Not at any moment did I think we were going to lose. We can also compete and win against giants; that’s the beauty of soccer.”
When asked how they prepared for this game, Ramirez emphasized “During the week, we try to recreate the game; those who will not start are playing the opponent’s part. The day before, we are preparing for the transition. You practice different scenarios to see if you can predict what happens next. In addition to practicing and predicting, it’s also important to know how to solve certain situations. Our training and our form of teaching allow the player to solve many different situations if they find themselves in them. In the beginning, it’s fundamental. It helps change their mentality, and Bronico said that he doesn’t see it the same when he sees a game now. That is a transition I am also living. There are also matchups that I don’t even know how to solve. Today we were able to identify it and make it happen.
Charlotte, which has had great success at home, now has the tough task of playing their next three games on the road. Ramirez wasn’t about to try and figure out the reasoning for this. “I am not one to give lessons to MLS; it’s unexplainable to have three games away and have three games at home. I don’t know if it’s what’s most ideal for the competition, that’s how I feel personally. As you know, sometimes another interest isn’t sports related.”
Aclivar was also asked about his mentality starting a three game road trip. “I will prepare every day, and I think if we keep up with that mentality, we will not go down but go up. We need to make it clear that playing away is very hard. We need to have that in our head and get the positive results we want.”
Very hard it is indeed, but Coach Ramirez has been very happy with the way his expansion team has performed. “They invited us to the dance, and we don’t dance that bad. We are dancing; we will see what happens next week'”
The road dance begins next Saturday when Charlotte FC takes on the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA .
Larry Frank is the host of “Frankly Speaking Sports” every Tues-Thurs at 11am on Tobacco Road Sports Radio.
