Captain Ashley Westwood speaks to the media about Charlotte FC clinching their first spot in playoffs and the electric night that got them there. The Crown is on the road to play New York Red Bulls in the Wild Card match this Wednesday to start their run in Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Uh we I've said it since the League's Cup I keep going on about it that was The one that that we really we really Found on momentum we had a little Obviously we didn't start the season too Well but even even then I was it's easy Saying it now but I was never worried we Were still playing we were still playing Well but we were just creating our own Problems with our mistakes and we've We're a new team a lot of new players And like I said these things happen Young players but we got there we stuck With it we show Great Character and Thankfully we've got the rewards of our Hard Work how has your Midfield partnership With rant verono involved over the Season and you've had obviously other Partners but that one's been the most Consistent one ah he's uh the way he Plays the game is infectious he is work Great his his energy it rubs off on the Whole team and like I said I'm I'm one Of them players as well who will run Round maybe maybe I should hold my Position a bit more like but we we we're We're we're a pair that work hard and Like I said it gives us a good a good Platform to build On Good Luck Wednesday I speak my time Thank you very Much hey Ashley congratulations thank You um what did it mean to walk out on
The field the other night with Aya how Did that come about how did it make you Feel it was incredible uh a real a lot Of emotions uh but like I said it's my Wife spoke to to Alexis and it I felt it Was something that that we should do and I'm sure certainly felt like he was There that night as well so it's it's a Special moment and like I said she was She was exceptional she was she was Taking it all in and for me it was just A great honor to to lead her out and is Hopefully we did impr Proud awesome and also um how did you Guys find out about the other results Like what who was keeping tabs on that And how did you guys know on the field We didn't know well I certainly didn't Know it was I remember stuck in the Corner I was asking the fans have we Done it and we still don't know so it Was for us it was we knew we knew before The game we knew what we had to do and It was take take care of our own Business and thankfully we we got uh we Got the results going our way and it's I Think it was thoroughly deserved though The way we've been playing the back end Of the season we were we've been we've Been real Good thank you all right Sam Spencer Hey actually um so you know I think we Talked a little bit the last time we
Talked about U this being comeback uh is This get to playoffs sort of complete For the comeback or you see this is more Work to do yeah it was uh like I said It's been it's been a tough season it's Been we've had ups and downs but I think The character of the boys of of real dug In we've we've we've we've stuck Together even the boys who who aren't Involved like I said it's we've we' We've hopped on about it it's a real Squad game and like I said they're They're just as important The Lads Coming off the bench the lads who aren't Starting it's a real it's a real Testament to the to the character that We've built here and like I said it's It's exciting I'm already I'm already Excited for next season as well so it's Just it just bodess well the club's in a In a real good Place and uh speaking of stuck together Uh T brought up Saturday night after the Match that you know that was the that Was what kept on coming into his mind Sticking together um this sense of Community um and you have more time I'll Talk you longer about it but um how does That mentality of sticking together how You see that as being sort of the core Of what's been happening on the team Since they it shows I mean weeks ago we Got written off by a lot of people and Like I said we we always knew in this
Locker room how good we were how good we Were playing what we were doing to teams You could feel it it was just little Moments lat in the games that that real That hurt us but we never we never lost Belief and even on the pitch we were Saying to each other we we don't realize How good we are but I think now we're Starting to starting to really believe It and every manager after our game Comes out and says that they're one of The best teams we've played so we take Great credit from that and like I said It's goes to show we don't listen to Outside noise it's it's what we've got In the locker room what we do every day On the pitch so it's real it's cers over The line and like I said thankfully we At the bank it was an incredible night It's one of the best the best atmosphere I've played in I see the videos back we When you're when you're in the moment You don't have time to take it in but Once the final whistle gone and you see All the videos it's it was an incredible Night and and long may it long may we Remember It briles and cheers and good luck thank You okay let's go to Jeff Shan he asley he you right yeah I'm good Thank you I wanted to ask about playoffs Obviously being from England it's a Unique experience can you give our Mindset on this playoff format
Particularly with it being changed in MLS that second chance to get an Opportunity at Championship how exciting Is that for you to make your first Experience of playoffs it's it's Incredible obviously the I found in America the whole playoff is it means so Much to people it's different to England You've but it's and they changed the Format a bit which has given us a chance We've we've we've taken that opportunity And we're going to run with it that's For sure with it's going to be tough There's a there's a lot of games Obviously if we win Wednesday we look For it could be three games against a Real good team so it's different but It's certainly so exciting like you you Saw the other night it was it meant so Much to us as players the fans and it Was for the football club it was it was A unique night and I will I will never Forget it that's for Sure how proud does it make you as a Captain when you see your squad improve And kind of wipe out that maybe took Place on that Wednesday night game to Put it all together in that match and Grow and learn how proud does that make You as a captain yeah it's I've spoken About it before I'm immensely proud of This group we've we've been knocked from Pillar To Post we've got on with it We've stuck together it's been a I said
It's been a roller coaster of a year A Lot's happened and it's we've it's Brought us all together we uh we're a Good group everyone's the good Characters and like I said we we go back To sticking together and we're really We're a real team now and I think it's Shown on the pitch the way we play it's Exciting to play it's certainly exciting To to play in and we're still growing We're still a very new team a lot of Notot of new players so it's it's Looking it's exciting for this football Club that's for sure thank you good luck Thank You all right John L hey Ashley congratulations thank You um you mentioned obviously having Played in a lot of these big games in The system is different but you feel Like there's some maybe some experiences You had in eng and even maybe some here That you can impart some on the younger Players some of them may going through This for the first time and if so what Is it that you to tell them I think it's Just to relax and enjoy the game that's What I said the other night it's we know What we have to do it's just any like Any other football game it's it's 11 Against 11 and if we perform while we Win so not let the occasion not let the Occasion get to us like you said they Played I've played in huge games in the
Premier League where you're fighting to Stay up and people's jobs are on the Live and that's that's pressure this is This is a different pressure this is an Enjoyable pressure and I thought the Other night we we give a real Professional performance even the lads Who come on were were excellent It's a Like I said it's a squad game and we've Created a real group I keep saying it And we're we're a real force to be Reckoned with Now also you mentioned how on the back Half of the season the team has really Started to pick things up to me it Seemed like coming right Beat LFC at home that's where this turn Around what have you seen from the team That's allowed toow be able to play like That and have type of form that allowed You to get into the playoffs just the Relentlessness about us I think that Obviously we've changed we've changed a Lot of how we've pressed teams which is Testament to the coaching staff we have Changed a lot The Way We The Way We Press teams and it's aggressive and it's I know if if I was playing against us It'd be really tough we do we are we are Aggressive and like said we going to Give up opportunities the way we press But that's what got us into this Position and I've seen that with the way We're growing as a we're we're taking
Teams on now we're not we're not fearing Anyone and that's that showed that Showed the other night against arguably One of the one of the best teams in the League now so it's they've brought some Individual Talent obviously the the Greatest player in the world is there But we dealt with it and like I said we Got a we got a massive result for this Football Club great good luck okay Steve Goldberg And then or after That Hey Captain um you took that yellow card Very early in the match and uh you're a Feisty player by Nature just was Wondering like how did you how did that Affect the rest of your game going Forward because a a team where you have To get Stu in on so many quality Players yeah it was uh it was early on They were on the counter attack I Remember it well I've uh seen a video Back I took a lot of inspiration from The American been watching so it's uh But no it's they had a they had a Counterattack and it was it was one we Needed it's a foul we need to make That's that's part of the experience of Of being an older head you need to know When to bring them down and I thought They were in a real dangerous position So and like when you when you you've Been in I've I've been booked early on
In a lot of games and you just you just Have to be careful and see it out and That's where the experience comes in so Thankfully I I managed to see out the 90 Minutes and and saw it Through And uh kind of a sidebar question here I Just appreciate if you could comment on The passing of s Bobby Charlton and the Influence that he was on not just on British soccer uh as a a gentleman and Just one of the class players of all Time on the game as a whole yeah he's a Phenomenal man like I said we I heard The news on the morning it was it hits You even though I didn't know him he's Just what he did for football especially In England and what he went through and He's just an incredible man and like I Said I see him see it when I've ever Played man united he's always there he's Uh one of I think he's he's english's Best ever player so that's that's the Testament of a man he was and he was a Like you said he's just a great human And like I said it's it's a real sad Loss for for football and and I'm sure For his Family thanks and best of luck thank You go Ahead Hey Um given that uh you're going into a Play game kind like a fresh new start is
There certain message that you have to That as a Captain just uh the last five games just To take that I think we're on a good run Now I've I called it after the lead cup We run a we hit form at the right time We we're there we've We've Got Confidence now we're playing we're Playing well we're we're getting clean Sheets which is important so we've it's Not for us it's not a fresh start we're Carrying this momentum on and we want to We feel like we can go all the way with With that confidence so and we believe In each other we believe in what the Manager does we believe in everything That we're doing so like I said we're We're in a good moment at this Time nice and I mean two crucial games That you guys were able to pull out um The game in Chicago and this one at the With you know everything that was on the Line right last time you went to New York played at Red Bulls you guys were Up two and that game ended in a draw is There a Certain we're a different team now when The team that played Red Bulls we we've Grown we've matured and like I said it's First half we were we were outstanding There but then like I said they've when You're when you're two up at half time People think you should see the games Out but I've been there A lot of times
Two n down it's easy to play football When you're losing it's it's it's almost Like U it doesn't matter what happens You come out and you give you give it All if you lose three no it doesn't Matter so when you when you're tune it Up it's tough it's not easy to play and Like I said it's a lot of people say you Should be seeing these games out but When a when a team's two and0 down They've got nothing to lose so they're Going to throw everything at you so this We've learned a lot we've I think we Control games a lot better now said We've got we've got a few clean sheets And now we've played in some real big Games that must win games and we've We've come through it so like I said We're growing as a group and we're Maturing and like I said we're we're We're playing the best football of our Season at the right time Awesome thank you good luck won thank You okay time for a couple more so let's Go back to Willie P you spoke to it a little bit there Ash But I kind of want to go a little deeper Uh somebody who kind of gets to see both The offensive side and the defensive Side is that connect tissue and the Midfield what have been your impressions Of the evolution of this back line Specifically you Know Andrew and Nathan because you know
Three clean sheets out of four best Defense all seon I'm sure something you Guys take great pride in it is and like I said I bring we bring C into that he's Been he's arguably one of our best Players the last five games so we're a Real group but it's not only we're Pressing from the front as well the lads Up the lads up top Enzo Carol Camille Justin when he comes on kwin's been Fantastic we're a we're a team that Defends from the front so it's they do a Lot of the work what we we ask a lot of The of the back four as well they're Sometimes left man for man which is Difficult for them but they've they've Stood up to it and I think they've been They they've like I said they've shown a Real maturity and Andrew's been Outstanding he has been a revolution and Like I said his Testament to his Character it's not easy he's he made a Few mistakes but that's what that's the That's the character he is he's we stuck With him and rightly so and he's come Out of it and he's he played one of the Best games I've seen he played over Night against arguably the the best Player in the world so for a young lad To do that it was is Testament to what We've got here and I'm I'm extremely Proud of him likewise everyone else in There all right Sam Spencer so actually the one more
Question I wanted to ask to tie Everything together is I've heard a lot People in the community how you're one Of the people who really brings the club To the community and brings club Together with the city of Charlotte and Uh a couple weeks ago I was in England And uh saw matches with two old clubs Brew and uh Burnley And whether it's guys on a double decker Bus or just having geers find with People up the match you know you bring a B to Westwood and they're very fond Memories um how do you see your role as The captain not only of the team on the Bch but The well for me it's I take great pride In being a good person first and Foremost a good person is is what Everyone sees secondly is the footballer But like I said if that's that's what That's how I've been brought up to be a Good person and the community here has Been it's unbelievable there uh the way The way we connect to each other Obviously now we're in the new facility Which is I think has been a big help We've got everyone in house and like I Said when you when you step outside of Here you're representing the club Whether that be your local shop you Always have time for people and I think The work obviously Brandt does a lot of Work George does a lot of work with the
Community and it's important because They're the ones that when we leave this Club is always going to be here so That's important for these the people in The community to we help them out they They come and support us and we're all As one that was that's what that's what It is in England you this is your club And you belong to this club so that's my Experience in England it's if your your Club is Burnley or Aston villea or crew That is your club for life and that's What I see here and it's what they've Done what what the owners done what what Zoran's done the everything here we're We're building something very special And that was the main reason for me Coming here so early on in the in this Football club's life I wanted to be I Wanted to make an impact in the place And and in the community and I wanted to Be remember remembered for for all the Good things I can Do thanks again okay we got time for two More so let's do John and then we'll do The last one with Carol uh Ashley you mentioned before the Crowd and his team has been is unbeaten In in 11 in all competitions at the bank And just from your time and Eng when Playing in some of the biggest stadiums In the world how would you compare the Atmosphere of playing in front of a full House at the bank and where would you
Personally rank your experience of Playing in front of these fans just the Atmosphere they provide for you the Other night was electric it was Incredible obviously you had A they uh they made the feelings known About Messi the I'm sure I heard the I Heard him booing him which was it was Nice cuz I know you see at a lot of Other stadiums they're cheering him so It give us we hear that and it gives us It gives us the the gives us time to we Reflect on it it's like right we need to We need to stand up and and pay them Back to what they're doing for us but For me the biggest one was it was a Wednesday night it was raining bad Weather storm was rolling in but I think We still had 25,000 there so it was it's Incredible they've like I said it's been A it's been a roller coaster and not Once I've of our fans turned on us it's Been incredible and it was the other Night was definitely for them and they They thoroughly deserved it and Hopefully there's many more to Come all Righton hey uh actually after the game Um latonio and a couple other people Mentioned y's defense on lonel Messi and I just wonder he seems like he's a Really calm Defender but he gets to the Ball quick and makes good decisions you Know what do you him and his experience
There he was brilliant obiously kept him Quiet like Messi doing what Messi does He he drifts along so the the back four Had a lot of communicating obviously me As well they were they were telling me We we had a we had a game plan and it Paid off it was it was an incredible Game plan it worked and like I said yary Was was he was unbelievable in that the Way he kept him quiet it was just the Last five minutes he started to get in The game but we managed to we managed to Get over the line but the the whole back Four was was exceptional they've you Start to look at Messi but they've got Other top players as well which you have To be careful of but now certainly yary Was he was brilliant the other night and But he's got he's got experience he's Played in the top leagues in in one of The top leagues in the world so he Brings that calmness and he knows how to Defend
Best Things to Do in Charlotte North Carolina This Week
About Charlotte
The best things to do in Charlotte this week range from a culinary event at a historic house to a family-friendly holiday mashup. Learn to pair Lexington-style barbecue with a local craft beer and get out for a bike or jog at eclectic Plaza Midwood.
Support local kids with developmental, behavioral and emotional challenges at a gala emceed by Molly Grantham. It includes dinner, guest speakers and a silent auction at the Hyatt Centric Charlotte SouthPark.
Swirl, sip and savor 100+ wines plus food from 10 of Charlotte’s hottest restaurants at this wine festival. Tickets include entry, tastings and a keepsake glass. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Bradley & Nikki Bozeman Foundation and a number of other local charities.
Embrace winter at this popular annual outdoor German Christmas market, featuring vendors selling handmade crafts and traditional German food and drinks. Check the schedule for live entertainment and activities.
Explore the history of the NBA’s Carolinas franchise at this new exhibit. The display features a timeline of the team’s first 35 years, interactive spaces and original memorabilia.
A man was arrested in Stanly County for allegedly altering the last will and testament of a deceased person. He faces multiple felony charges.