Dean Smith is determined to keep the momentum going at Charlotte FC after securing his 50th win in all competitions, with the latest victory coming against D.C. United.
Since taking over from Christian Lattanzio in December 2023, Smith has managed 112 games, leading the team to improved results each year.
Under his leadership, Charlotte has finished fifth and fourth in the Eastern Conference, and they currently sit fourth this season.
However, the club has struggled to advance past the first round of the playoffs during Smith’s tenure, a challenge they hope to overcome by the end of the 2026 campaign.
In his milestone match, goals from Ashley Westwood and Allan Saint-Maximin secured a 2-1 win against D.C. at the Bank of America Stadium.
As Charlotte prepares to face the Chicago Fire this weekend, Smith expressed pride in his achievement but emphasized the importance of the team’s goals.
“I’m just happy,” Smith stated. “Fifty wins in 112 games is a solid record, but our focus is on continuing to win.”
“It’s not about my milestones; it’s about the club. Each win may not feel as rewarding because I’m focused on the next match.”
“By the end of the season, I hope to celebrate a win with a unique reason. We’re laying down the foundations.”
“Everyone understands what is expected, which is the easy part. The challenge lies in bringing in talented individuals.”
Here’s to you, Dean Smith
The best is yet to come pic.twitter.com/f2TI7usUcP
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) September 20, 2026
With only four points separating them from Charlotte, Chicago aims to bounce back from a 3-0 loss to Nashville SC.
After Sam Surridge opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, Cristian Espinoza and Hany Mukhtar added further goals in the second half for Nashville.
The Fire managed an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.91 with nine shots, of which only one was on target. Coach Gregg Berhalter acknowledged that they were outmatched by a superior team.
“I don’t think we can call it an unfortunate result. We were simply bested by a stronger opponent,” Berhalter explained.
“The key takeaway is that Nashville serves as a benchmark for us, a team we aspire to compete with.”
“Initially, we played too conservatively. We conceded a goal, fought back, but lost another one.”
“Ultimately, we know as a team we need to improve.”
Chicago will face an even tougher match against Charlotte as several players including Noah Allen, Chris Brady, Anzor Mekvabishvili, Puso Dithejane, Robert Lewandowski, and Robin Lod will be away for international duty during the extended break.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Charlotte FC – Allan Saint-Maximin
Since his debut, only Cavan Sullivan (30), Kristoffer Velde (25), and Guilherme (23) have completed more dribbles in MLS than Saint-Maximin’s 22. The former Newcastle United player also has five assists and one goal for Charlotte, and he aims to make an impact once more.
Maxi’s first goal hits different from field level pic.twitter.com/WLnEtfabyS
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) September 20, 2026
Chicago Fire – Maren Haile-Selassie
Haile-Selassie is the team’s leading scorer this season with eight goals, five of which were netted away from home, including four in his last four away matches.
MATCH PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE FC WIN
In their earlier encounter this season, Chicago defeated Charlotte 2-1, marking their third consecutive win in this rivalry after a streak of five losses.
The Fire’s recent road defeat against Nashville marked just their second time being shut out this season, tying with Inter Miami for the fewest scoreless games.
This loss ended a 21-game streak of scoring in league matches, with the last shutout dating back to March 7 against Columbus Crew.
On the other hand, Charlotte has enjoyed two of their longest unbeaten stretches in club history since July, including a 10-match streak in 2025 and an active eight-game run.
In the past two seasons, Charlotte has averaged 2.24 points per match from July to October, compared to just 1.31 between March and June.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Charlotte FC – 44.9%
Draw – 23.4%
Chicago Fire – 31.7%
Fan Take: This news is significant as it reflects the competitive nature of MLS, showcasing how coaching changes can lead to marked improvements. For soccer fans, Dean Smith’s journey at Charlotte FC represents the importance of effective leadership and strategy in achieving both club success and playoff contention.
Source: www.soccernews.com
