Here Matt goes again on his own. (We promise David and Corey are OK and will be back.)

On this week's solo episode, Matt decided to use your listener questions to guide the conversation following the Crown's 2-1 loss to the Fire over the weekend. He breaks down Tim Ream's absence, our lack of recent production from the striker position and what would need to happen for Charlotte to have a chance at a top-4 playoff spot. (So you're telling us there's a chance ...)

Hear that and so much more and get ready for a busy Leagues Cup week!

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Matt is flying solo this week as the birthday boys take some time off, but there's still a ton to talk about. Charlotte FC squandered a two-goal lead to get just a point against bottom-of-the-table Atlanta Wednesday, then followed that with a road win and clean sheet against Red Bulls Saturday.

Matt breaks down both matches and explains why he's not happy with how the team is playing despite the points. He also reflects on the possibility that we've seen Kerwin Vargas' final match for the Crown.

Finally, Matt answers your listener questions, including one about Abada's strong form in the past two matches and MLS All-Star roster we'll see this week in Charlotte.

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It's time to get ready for the second half of the Charlotte FC season with Corey Inscoe and Glizzy Gusler! They look back and where the team left off in May, what's changed over the summer, and what to expect moving into a busy few months for the team, starting with Atlanta United Wednesday night.

They also discussed hot dogs and butt sponsors because, you know, why not?

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Want to get into our Discord to discuss all the matches this season, get access to the Secret Show and ask us questions for upcoming episodes? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and more.

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Matt, David and Corey are back from summer break and dusted off the mics to talk about Charlotte FC's huge DP signing of Allan Saint-Maximin. They discuss how he fits into the squad and how he compares to the DP he's replacing, Wilfred Zaha.

But with rumors surrounding Liel Abada and Kerwin Vargas, there's a possibility CLTFC loses three wingers this summer window. Who will step up opposite Maxi if those rumors come true?

Lots to discuss and even more coming in the next couple of weeks as we ramp up for the return of MLS play and the All-Star Game here in Charlotte!

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Want to get into our Discord to discuss all the matches this season, get access to the Secret Show and ask us questions for upcoming episodes? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and more.

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Charlotte FC finally got back to winning ways Saturday, taking down Toronto FC 3-1 at the Bank. But before that were two lackluster results – a draw with FC Cincinnati and a lackluster 1-0 loss to NYCFC.

This week on the show, Matt, David and Corey spend most of their time breaking down the Toronto match but they don't overlook the issues we saw in the other two matches. Topics include:

• When things aren't going well, is it Dean Smith (and tactics and lineups) or is it the players?
• What was different about the Toronto match compared to the previous two?
• What needs to happen in the summer transfer window?
• And David compares himself Tim Ream and Ashley Westwood and shares his most recent heat map.

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Want to get into our Discord to discuss all the matches this season, get access to the Secret Show and ask us questions for upcoming episodes? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and more.

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It was better. At least we can say that.

Charlotte FC played well enough to deserve a point against the Revolution, but a lack of finishing and a questionable penalty in stoppage time doomed the Crown to a 1-0 loss.

Matt and Corey take you through the match, highlighting the positives while being realistic about the things that still aren't quite clicking. They discuss:

• The lack of finishing in two clear-cut scoring opportunities during the first half.
• CLTFC's solid defensive performance against a good New England attack.
• The handball call that drew the game-winning penalty late in stoppage time. What even is a handball?
• The absolutely ridiculous yellow card given to Ashley Westwood for "simulation."
• The importance of this stretch of home matches in May.
• And Matt breaks down why the double pivot seems to be causing some of Charlotte FC's issues this season.

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Want to get into our Discord to discuss all the matches this season, get access to the Secret Show and ask us questions for upcoming episodes? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and more.

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Charlotte FC are in a bit of a rough patch, losing two MLS matches and dipping out of the U.S. Open Cup in the past week. So we decided it was time for a bit of a family meeting to figure out what's going on.

David, Matt and Corey hopped on a live show Thursday night and had a lively conversation with our viewers about:

• What's causing the defensive disorder.
• Our thoughts on recent lineups and tactics, especially in the Open Cup.
• Injuries and how they might affect upcoming matches.
• Zaha and Abada's future with the club.
• And Busch Light Apple (blame David).

We answered questions live and mostly just got deep in our feelings about the recent run of form while trying not to get too negative.

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Want to get into our Discord to discuss all the matches this season, get access to the Secret Show and ask us questions for upcoming episodes? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and more.

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We'll be recording a regular episode later in the week after the Open Cup match, but to hold you over until then we have a special treat: An episode of the Mint City Soccer Show Secret Show!

David Gusler, Matt Chantry, and Russell Varner get together to play a little game: How well do you know some of our favorite former Charlotte FC players?

Play along as we remember some guys!

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Patreon members got access to this episode last week in the Secret Show feed. Want in? Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks.

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Charlotte FC won two games in the past week and have three matches coming rapid-fire over the next week. It's a lot to break down, so we brought in an expert: Charlotte FC Play-by-Play Broadcaster Will Palaszczuk!

Will, David and Matt discuss:

• Wins over Charlotte Independence in the Open Cup and NYCFC (which apparently doesn't like to be called NYCFC anymore).
• The tactical adjustments that led to the two goals against New York City.
• The week ahead with MLS matches against Orlando and Nashville, and the Open Cup match against Atlanta next Tuesday.
• The vibrant Crown Legacy pipeline.
• Wilfred Zaha's future.
• Our defense: Better than we think?
• And Will answers your questions!

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Want to get into our Discord to discuss all the matches this season, get access to Soccer and Coffee and ask us questions for the show? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and more, including special Secret Show episodes we release just to supporters.

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The less said about that match, the better ... but we still talked for over an hour about it. Charlotte FC had a lackluster showing in its final match of the home stand, losing 2-1 to Nashville SC.

Nashville SC may be first in the East, but they started essentially a B-team due to midweek CONCACAF Champions League matches, and this felt like a game Charlotte could take. They did not.

Matt, David and Corey discuss:

• SCREENSHOTS. Matt breaks down the defensive breakdowns that led to both Nashville goals (and the signs of trouble before the ball hit the net).
• The future for Abada.
• A tale of two penalties.
• Aloko's debut.
• And Charlotte FC's first competitive match against Charlotte Independence Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup.

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Want to get into our Discord to discuss all the matches this season, get access to Soccer and Coffee and ask us questions for the show? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for just a few bucks to get access to that and more, including special Secret Show episodes we release just to supporters.

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