Charlotte FC and Cruz Azul cross paths again in the Leagues Cup when the two face off on Wednesday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The two clubs met in the Round of 32 of the 2023 edition in a scoreless draw that needed a penalty shootout to decide the winner. It was Charlotte who advanced, 4-3, spot kicks, moving all the way to the quarterfinals.
The repercussions of that defeat led to the LIGA MX club parting ways with then-head coach Ricardo Ferretti. One year later, the players of La Maquina still remember the sting of being eliminated earlier than expected.
“I think that those of us who competed last time were left with the desire to keep moving forward,” said Cruz Azul midfielder Carlos Rodríguez. “Knowing what winning this tournament gives you, I think that each team takes it very seriously.”
Cruz Azul entered last year’s edition on a three-match losing streak and placed near the bottom of the standings. This year, the team enters as the top team in the league standings with three wins, one draw and nine goals scored.
Argentine manager Martín Anselmi is part of the team’s turnaround. In his first season, he led Cruz Azul to second place in the Clausura 2024 season, which platformed the team to a runners-up finish in the playoffs. He also has tournament experience, previously leading Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle to the 2022 Copa Sudamericana title.
“From what I've been watching, I've been able to see almost all the matches that Mexican teams have played against teams from the United States and there have been very intense, very competitive matches and I think that it will not be easy,” said Anselmi.
“It seems to me that there is a lot of expectation regarding Cruz Azul, Tigres, Monterrey, Toluca, América, who are about to start their games. And we, as I said before, in Mexico, Cruz Azul have to rise to the occasion.”
Charlotte FC, on the other hand, had a Leagues Cup worth remembering. The team went undefeated in its first four matches, winning two on penalties, before bowing out to eventual champions Inter Miami CF.
The MLS club realized that run with only one of its matches in the Queen City. Being at home for this encounter, has Charlotte squad feeling confident about its chances.
“When we play at home, we're an even more difficult team to play against,” said Charlotte FC defender Adilson Malanda. “We want to rebuild the momentum and then restart from there, and I think Wednesday it's a good opportunity to do it.”
Charlotte has only lost twice at home during the 2024 MLS season, winning six and tying four. It will also be a welcome sight for a team that has only played on its own field once over the past month.
“It'd be nice to remind myself what it's like at the Bank of America Stadium,” said Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith. “We're looking forward to going there and hopefully getting the win that can put us through to the next round.”
A win – either outright or in a penalty shootout – is needed for Charlotte FC to keep their hopes alive for the knockout stage. Cruz Azul will qualify otherwise after Charlotte’s loss at Philadelphia Union in the opening match of the East 4 group.
