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 climb 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 secured an impressive 2-0 away win over Philadelphia Union last week, and Westwood believes the work the former Aston Villa boss has put in on the training ground is really starting to pay off.

“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 amazing.”

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 latest result – a 4-1 win over manager Ben Olsen’s former club DC United – featured 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 to 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 it and now he’s made my life a little bit more difficult and that’s what you want.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Sebastian Ferreira

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

This is 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 MLS crown, tying Inter Miami for the most different players with a multi-goal match since Charlotte joined MLS in 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN

Charlotte won for the sixth time in its last 10 matches last Saturday (three draws, one loss), with its 21 points over this period more than it has collected in any 10-match series of its history.

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

Houston is unbeaten in its last five games (W2 D3) after beating DC, and has scored multiple goals in those five contests – the longest such streak in MLS history (also five games between July and August 2012).

PROBABILITY OF WINNING OPTA

Houston Dynamo – 45%

Charlotte FC – 28.1%

Draw – 26.9%