Christian Lattanzio speaks to the media on what Messi brings to MLS, building a dynamic defense, improving the squad in the transfer window and more ahead of Charlotte FC returning home this weekend as they take on Seattle Sounders.
All right everyone welcome in let's get This started Um Steve we'll start with you today I'm Sure people want to talk about message So let's do that first and then we'll Get to some technical stuff ahead of Seattle Okay Coach have you sold your tickets For October 21st yet good morning Steve Uh why Because everybody seems to be doing that It's the greatest investment in Charlotte right now I mean I hope not to Have a ticket but to be still on the Bench Oh yeah but I'm sure you have you know For family and stuff like that but yeah There have been a number of you know Big name players who have come over to MLS and uh this will hold it Dr Beckham But and after the you know the changes That uh you know David Beckham brought When he came this is going to be I I Don't put this on the same level as when Pele came over to the nasl because Soccer in this country was in a Different place at that time And it's by far the big participant Sport now and and the league has grown So immensely but what is your take on You know bringing a player like Messi Even at this point in his career to MLS Well you know you don't need the I'm Just repeating echoing probably things
That everybody said the MLS Is a great uh he's a great Coupe I Received many many messages from From friends from people from colleagues That obviously that gives the MLS and Extra Dimensions because it's true that Maybe Messi is not At the prime of his career but he's Still a very respectable player he's Called important goals and assists for Paris and German this year to allow them To win Yet another title even though it was a Difficult season for them but and they Just won the World Cup with Argentina So being one of the most is not the most Important player on the pitch so we're Talking about the guy that is Uh still play football a high level and I think that his name and his ability And you know the Let's say the aura that he has around Him I think will benefit MLS everybody And uh just staying as on on the Football side is a great Is a great uh player to have for Miami Because in the end I mean everybody's Talking all the important things of the Pitch so the market inside and The visibility and what impact will have On football but we are talking about the Football player that goes to play in a Football team And normally
You know you want players that give you Emotions people are ready to pay for Emotions you know and to have that to Have a play that one can give you that Because of his style of play because of What he has done consistently over the Years It's certainly something that will Benefit MLS Miami obviously as a team But all the teams and all the supporters And the young says that they can be That they can be inspired by having a Player that will come I'm sure with the right attitude to give Everything he has got and to and to Grace the the MLS All right uh repeat let's move to some Technical stuff What's going on Coach how are you I'm Fine thanks will you I'm well Um Camille and Enzo uh what are your Thoughts about them for Saturday Goodness My thoughts is that I would like them to Play for us all the time these are my Thoughts I'm not sure we will have the Possibility to see them maybe A little bit too early in this I I know That they are ready to go they want to But we need to respect The opinion of the performance Department that they You know treat them they monitor them on
A daily basis and so As I said in the past will is very Important for us to get important Players like them to to recover 100 than Where when they are back they are gonna Be back to stay We we have what uh obviously we have the Squad and all the players will take Their place but obviously these are two Important players uh that very important Place for us In terms of having the international Break too there I'm guessing that at Least allows you to get them a little Bit more healthy and also how much does That maybe even help someone like Guzman Get himself back to Fitness and back to A level of chemistry with the squad Making sure that he can maybe sustain More than that 30 minutes he had against Philadelphia Yeah with Guzman is very important uh Everyday training now has been training With us uh and uh but as you know we'll We didn't have time to train this week Has been the only week in which we could Trade Uh with the intensity and the timing That we are used to and that we want And uh obviously Guzman needed that in Order to get back to what we know that He can do but it's a it's a process it Takes time and we need to we need to Respect that
Christian talked about the differences In your guys defense structure from last Year to this year I know that with a Full offseason you've probably been able To implement a lot more I know pieces in And out also might change it but how Would you describe without obviously Giving any Trade Secrets away the change In philosophy in terms of what you guys Want to do defensively I mean my idea will is to create the Team that is very Dynamic that is Dynamic with the ball without the ball That we can be aggressive And uh that we can uh Be able to you know To really play a fast moving game so With the bowling without the ball And and so I'm always looking at the Possibilities that we have within the Squad And uh you know we'll the other is Important also to understand that The last game was a little bit Frustrating especially in the first half Because We went to two difficult places like La That we saw after Us corporate goes away Philadelphia against got three goals Before us then you know they are high Scoring team and we Kept the cliched in La we conceded only One in Philadelphia in a way that Didn't please me at all because I think
We are very Uh Well drilled to deal with that kind of Situation or at least the boys showed That on number of occasions so it was a Lack of concentration that is very Costly at this level And so against Columbus I thought that We gifted again the first goal it was uh Too casual the the way we conceded the First one And if you look at the second one and The fourth one we are actually situation Where we are five against three on one Side and in this situation five against Three I mean you should win the ball if You don't there is uh this we have to Improve to be aggressive in those Moments And the like I know we talk about Messi As this uh Global star but what That shows also is that is coming the Transfer window in July and Is I think that the boys have done Really well the front office knows that I ask for at least three players in Order for us to kill At least three players to to improve our Squad that uh because I think we have Some gaps in certain Uh position I think the boys have done Unbelievably well and to bring us until Here but the front of his nose they knew
From the beginning they agreed I trust Them and they know that they will do a Good job but they know that we need at Least you know because teams are getting They are getting stronger and they will Be stronger By bringing not everybody can be messy Obviously but you know that tells you What kind of improvement for example Miami will have and we know that in Order to get to our objective which is To compete for a playoff spot we need we Need we need that so I am totally uh Um agreement with the front office but They know that we need at least three Players to keep uh promoting our path Is that three in terms of you just need That many players or are you talking About specific areas that you want to Address yeah there are I mean the the I Don't want to go too much into that Because this is something that the front Office is very is very Aware of and we are on the same Wavelength but it's important to Understand that if you want to compete For the objective that we had we need to Keep strengthening and they knew from The beginning that uh and they told me That obviously they could do we could do Certain moving on the first transfer Window but now there is a second one and The you know I think that the boys have Done unbelievably well
To bring us here and now there are Certain gaps that we need to certain Characteristics that we need to add to Our Squad in order to keep moving on and To make us more competitive Do you feel like you're I'll end on this Do you feel like your attack could be More diverse in nature in terms of how You create opportunities to score plus Possibly but will also remember that we Played uh and again it's not to find Excuses because I totally trust the guys That they are in the squad and the one That they put on On the pitch but we played against a Very strong Columbus team and without Two DPS And that for a young team like us I Think it's as his importance without Taking away anything from the players That played that they did their best But obviously he I agree but we we have Been playing for a number of weeks now Without the answer without Camille and That you know for every team if you take Away the larayana Couture to Columbus I Think that the team the game would have Been slightly different Very much so appreciate the time as Always and uh good luck this weekend Thanks thanks will uh we'll go to John Next just to remind if you have a Question raise your hand otherwise John's the last hand I see right now
Uh good morning Christian how are you Good morning John I'm fine thanks Um Seattle leads mls in total passes This year they're they're also first in Accurate long balls and forward Zone Passes and so what do you guys have to Do defensively in order to combat that Uh I think the important thing is to put Seattle Under Pressure because if you Leave quality players free to play I know one of them it feels like that I Had in Man City when he was a young Player and we can we could see at the Time already that he was a very talented Boy He was bought in Holland at the young Age and then he became VP here at Salt Lake and now Seattle so I know the Quality that he has I know job power is A very good player there and so forth Again we meet again again a quality side That they have quality On the ball and the the only way that You can limit that is to put them under Pressure and to play with the high Tempo Because if you lead them if you leave Them dictate the game is going to be It's gonna become more difficult to Limit them so to play Compact and to Play with high tempo Um Carol scored in two of the last three Matches we now have good Enzo's been When he's been in there and we know the Impact that Justin is made of both ends
Of the pitch but how nice is it to see That Carol is starting to ReDiscover Some form that he had last year when he Scored 10 goals Yeah Carol is a is a good attacking Players as we know that uh uh he has This ability to find to find a goal and To to be Sharp around the box he has a good shot He can smell a goal so that doesn't Surprise me uh I think that he has been playing well And improved when he's playing back to The goal and also it brings high energy That's why it would have been great to Have him with Enzo and Camille and Obviously Justin we brings different Characteristics and care with you know Without forgetting McKenzie and all the Players that have been and Brandon that As a young lady brilliantly also Patrick That was difficult for him but to have And so Carol and And Camille that they are high press in And I I work in Strikers as well as well Evan a goal or and assisting them I Think he would be it would be great to Have Um you know I would have liked to to Have them together a little bit more but This is the this is what it is and we Need to to get the best of what we have And I think that the boys again this Week they train with a lot of intensity
I see Carol um Camille and then so to be close to to The comeback which pleases us And uh yes I mean having Carol uh uh in Good shape is important for us there is No is no getting away from that Last question for me I know that you're Obviously 100 focused on Seattle but the next three main matches Or three teams that are right below you For the uh last playoff spot which you Guys are in right now I don't know if You look at the standings or how often You do but you play the Red Bulls Montreal and then nycfc after this match So how much do you feel like that it's Important for you guys obviously to get The three points against Seattle to sort Of send you on your way and get back to That winning feeling but How important do you feel like that this Could be a nice sort of I guess you Could say set up for those three matches Against teams that are chasing you for a Playoff spot Very important very important John to do Well but as you said I'm focused on Seattle I think we have to take one game At a time and to give our best shot game By game Uh He said it's very simple message but it It is the message in which I believe we Need to be focused game by game because
It's true what you are saying but uh at The same time things can change rapidly If you put together a run of good Results you can rapidly climb the table And uh And so Without doing too much calculation what I want is to see the team moving on and To have All the plays are available once that is The case I think it's it's up to me and The coaching staff to meet the right Choice in terms of personnel but it Would be great where all the players Especially the one that they are for Experience ability and status Digging the powdable shirt good luck on Saturday Christian thank you Okay let's go to Caleb and then we will End with Mike Hey Christian just got one question for You we're officially halfway into the Season here some areas that you want the Team to improve on here going to the Second half of the season I think Caliber we need to improve In the all-around game uh I think that we have We want us to be a little bit more Compact when we when we defend to stay To defend a little bit higher generally Speaking And then when we play uh to be to create
More chances I think this is the two areas in which I Would like us to improve but then it's Also linked to the you know to the place That you have a disposal sometimes Because obviously with the younger Players you need and they have done Really well again they put themselves About and you can't but any time to uh Adjust to the MLS and to to Acquire a kind of consistency that's why I think we also need you know to Strengthen the squad as I said that we Need at least three players uh to push And to be competitive for the objective That we have is which is the one to go To the playoff And I'm sure staying healthy in the Second half of the Season as well And then to strengthen the squad this is Our this is our uh has to be our main Objective Great thank you so much collect this Weekend thank you thank you all right Final ones with Mike Solarte Thanks very much good afternoon Christian how are you sir very well Thank you uh hang it in there hanging in There uh My my question to you you talked about Strengthening the squad Um but you've also talked about in the Past Um how
Uh you don't want your guys feeling Sorry for themselves when things go the Wrong way does this does this team Starting to develop that mental Toughness you want them to have or is That still a continuous work in progress Mike this is a work in progress because Uh it's like uh his life would say you Know Uh the mentality is something that comes With uh and I think that the boys showed A very good mentality so they are Improving in that the fact that Sometimes I want always more and the I Need to keep motivating our boys right So and I think that it's very important That people understand that when we go Away I think that the people respected The way the boys play The Philadelphia respect the the way we Play Galaxy respect the way that we Played and and I think with Columbus if We didn't start I thought that the game Was really really even until we gave Away A goal and then unfortunately you know That can happen that we make a mistake Uh even if it's uh one that uh I think We should do better we are not under Pressure and we give the ball away In an uncharacteristic way Um and then after you know given that Football is a game of emotion and uh We try to keep playing and then they
Find another one uh and then it becomes More difficult but In the second half I asked for a Response and already the response in the Second half tells you that the boys are They have a good mentality because Possibly last year we wouldn't have uh Came back to 32. And then the fourth goal again is a Mistake that we are you know five Against three on one side of the pitch We normally should deal with that ball Instead we get penetrated and they find Straight away because I thought at that Point that we had a chance also to get Something from the game then after when You go the momentum shifted again But I didn't see our team collapsed Um at all so I think that the mentality Of the boys is improving and uh You know the mentality is also given That by the players that you have You know and and the young says they're Giving everything that they can and uh Also the the older ones but we played For a long time without important Players through experience or even now We can't really put our strong 11 it Seems that we cannot put our strong 11 On the pitch Yet so again it's work in progress but I Think that the boys don't disgrace Themselves at all and I think that they Are pretty competitive in each game that
They go through I have uh one more for you it's um Decline a phone call there uh 39 years Ago young man Ghostbusters was released in theaters What is your favorite Bill Murray movie Uh Lost in Translation I wanted to say Ghostbusters but then Otherwise it looked like an only that One There was Groundhog Day as well I liked But uh Lost in Translation is uh is a Movie that in which I that I really Enjoyed I know maybe me and you are Gonna get criticizes for this movie but I don't care about what people say is I Think is a great uh I am I'm glad that you are on the panel Of our journalists But what Ghostbusters I love it when it Came on I think I watched it three or Four times in the movies with the Friends we couldn't have enough of that Also for the music What about lost in translation Translation Spoke to you what did you like about That well I like the fact that uh To to different people or two different Generations they found themselves in an Alien place for them and they get Something in common and they think it's I think that uh there are no barriers
Right so between human beings age Ethnicity or where you are I think being Being humans we should be able to Connect and I think that we are creating More barriers than than really there are Excellent thank you sir just a heads up I won't be here next week so uh So we are going to be missed well I'm Just saying if you want to cancel I I'm Actually going on vacation I'll be in Las Vegas So Las Vegas you can still do the zoom Call no there is no internet in Las Vegas there's no Wi-Fi at the casinos so Yeah In the middle of the Sahara okay then I Can understand are you going to Las Vegas come on Mike there is no it's Basically the same thing I mean I Basically stuck in the middle of the Desert yeah you know so if you want to If you want to cancel next week's press Availability right now you can go ahead And do that because I won't be here so Yeah yeah I'll think about that Seriously can I join you okay come on Come on love to have you all right good Luck this weekend thank you very much Thank you Mike all right thanks everyone Appreciate it uh we will wrap up there
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