Westwood credits Crown teammates for flexibility

Ashley Westwood says tactical flexibility has been key to Charlotte FC’s recent success as they aim to continue their rise up the MLS table against Houston Dynamo.

Charlotte sits fourth in the Eastern Conference, nine points behind leaders Inter Miami, after taking 10 points from their last four games.

Dean Smith’s side enjoyed an impressive 2-0 away win over Philadelphia Union last week, and Westwood believes the work the former Aston Villa boss is doing on the training ground is really starting to bear fruit.

“The most impressive thing was how we were able to change tactics and change things during games,” Westwood said.

“It just shows that the guys have taken ownership of the job. They’re listening and starting to get to know each individual’s role, which to me is incredible.”

Charlotte will face a tough test this weekend, however, against a Houston team currently seventh in the Western Conference and enjoying a five-game unbeaten streak.

Their last result – a 4-1 defeat to manager Ben Olsen’s former club DC United – included a hat-trick from the previously out-of-favour Sebastian Ferreira.

Asked about Ferreira’s impact, Olsen said: “I’m extremely proud of Sebastien, it wasn’t easy for him, not getting the minutes he wanted last year and being loaned out .

“Then come back and just be behind physically, with multiple soft tissue injuries. That type of performance is a big deal.

“I’m glad he played a big part in all of this and now he’s made my life a little bit more difficult and that’s what you want.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Sebastien Ferreira

Ferreira became the second Paraguayan in MLS history to score a hat-trick in Houston’s last game, joining Miguel Almiron, who did so in 2017 for Atlanta United against Dynamo.

It was the first hat-trick by a Dynamo player in over seven years, since Erick Torres’ hat-trick against the New York Red Bulls in April 2017.

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang

Agyemang scored both of Charlotte’s goals against the Union last week.

This makes him the ninth different player to score multiple goals in a match for the Crown in MLS, tying Inter Miami for the most different players with a multi-goal match since Charlotte joined MLS in 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO VICTORY

Charlotte won for the sixth time in its last 10 games last Saturday (three draws, one loss), with its 21 points over that stretch more than it has collected in any 10-game run in its history.

However, they could face difficulties away from home against in-form opponents this week.

Houston is undefeated in its last five games (two wins, three draws) after beating DC, and has scored multiple goals in those five contests – the longest such streak in its MLS history (also five games between July and August 2012).

PROBABILITY OF WINNING OPTA

Houston Dynamo – 45%

Charlotte FC – 28.1%

Zero – 26.9%