Dean Smith: "We Just Need to Keep Improving"
March 1, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release
Charlotte FC Head Coach Dean Smith's first away trip is one that will take to the Western Coast and across international as Charlotte FC face the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The team started their 2024 campaign with a win and a clean sheet but Smith and his players aren't satisfied with just that. Smith has set the standard high for his team and is focused on getting closer to that standard with every match, continuing with the Whitecaps.
"I think we just need to keep improving," said Smith in his press conference leading to the match. "We're far from the finished products, and I think everybody saw that on Saturday. As good as it was to keep a clean sheet and go win our first game, we've got to be better with the ball. There's certainly periods in the game where we've got to be better without the ball as well.
"So, there's many things that we've been working on to improve, but what we want is to continue is the momentum that we've got from getting that first win and the clean sheet."
Newcomer, midfielder Junior Urso, echoed his coach's sentiments about focusing on improvement and not getting complacent because he personally believes the team is capable of achieving big things.
"We have to keep a good mentality," said Urso. "In MLS we have hard games, but we also have to keep our feet on the ground. Sometimes we play well and then think we are good but everything can change fast. So, we have to be humble and take it game by game."
Smith elaborated on the mentality that he believes will be critical to creating a winning culture at the Club. A culture the team can continue to build on with a positive result away from home.
"Every institution I've seen been successful, there has to be a group mentality and teamwork and togetherness, because if you get an institution all moving in the same direction, it's really, really hard to stop," explained Smith. "That's big thing that I think has to be part of our culture."
Vancouver has yet to play a match in the 2024 MLS season, so Charlotte has an opportunity to spoil their season opener. Smith and his staff weren't able to scout any MLS match of theirs so far but were able to get an idea on what to expect from their opponent through their preseason and Champions Cup matches.
"Sometimes you have to be aware of the unknown," said Smith. "They haven't played the game yet, so it'd be interesting to see how they are. They're at home for their first game of the season, so they'll certainly want to put on a show for their home crowd as well. We have to be very respectful of the opposition, but certainly not fear them."
Charlotte are still searching for their first win on Canadian soil but hope to continue to make history at the first stop of their three-match away series.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from March 1, 2024
- Sounders FC Faces Austin FC Saturday in Home Opener - Seattle Sounders FC
- Houston Dynamo FC to Pay Tribute to Maggie McKethan Ahead of Saturday's Kickoff - Houston Dynamo FC
- FC Cincinnati Travel to Chicago for First Road Match of MLS Season - FC Cincinnati
- Houston Dynamo FC to Defend Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Title in 2024 Edition of the Tournament - Houston Dynamo FC
- Sporting KC Home Opener on Saturday - Sporting Kansas City
- New York Travel to Shell Energy Stadium for First Time Since 2019 to Face Houston Dynamo FC - New York Red Bulls
- The Assist: Orlando City SC at Inter Miami CF - March 2, 2024 - Orlando City SC
- Russell Teibert Hangs up Boots After 16 Years as a Player with Whitecaps FC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Minnesota United FC vs. Columbus Crew Preview - Minnesota United FC
- CF Montréal on the Road Saturday against FC Dallas - Club de Foot Montreal
- Whitecaps FC Sign WFC2 Midfielder Jay Herdman to Second MLS Short-Term Agreement - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- LAFC Travels to Face Real Salt Lake at America First Field on Saturday, March 2 - Los Angeles FC
- Match Preview: Charlotte FC at Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Charlotte FC
- Real Salt Lake Kicks off 20th Home MLS Season Saturday against LAFC - Real Salt Lake
- Injury Report: Four Absent vs. St. Louis City SC - New York City FC
- Nashville SC Travels to Colorado Rapids for First Western Conference Matchup of the Season - Nashville SC
- By the Number: FC Cincinnati at Chicago Fire FC - FC Cincinnati
- Atlanta United to Compete in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Atlanta United FC
- Earthquakes to Compete in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - San Jose Earthquakes
- Sporting KC to Play in 2024 U.S. Open Cup - Sporting Kansas City
- FC Dallas to Compete in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - FC Dallas
- LAFC Joins MLS & NEXT PRO Entries Competing in 2024 US Open Cup - Los Angeles FC
- Real Salt Lake One of Eight MLS Teams to Participate in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Real Salt Lake
- Dean Smith: "We Just Need to Keep Improving" - Charlotte FC
- Colorado Rapids Take on Nashville SC in 2024 Home Opener - Colorado Rapids
- Academy Roundup: Young Garys Earn Positive Results on Weekend Road Trip - FC Cincinnati
- Houston Dynamo FC to Host Columbus Crew at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 6 at Shell Energy Stadium - Houston Dynamo FC
- Kickoff Times Announced Orlando City SC's Concacaf Champions Cup Matchup with Tigres UANL - Orlando City SC
- New York City FC Signs Defender Rio Hope-Gund - New York City FC
- FC Cincinnati Loan Álvaro Barreal to Cruzeiro - FC Cincinnati
- Maintain Standards: Ingredients of the Match - Charlotte FC
- FC Cincinnati Celebrate Women's History Month with Array of Initiatives and Events That Promote Women in Sports - FC Cincinnati
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Charlotte FC Stories
- Finish Strong: Ingredients of the Match
- Decision Day: What's at Stake + Playoff Dates and Scenarios
- Six Charlotte FC Players Called up to National Teams
- Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor Come Together for "Concert for Carolina" Presented by Explore Asheville at Bank of America Stadium
- The Full Time Clip: Charlotte FC Claims Spot in Round 1 of 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs