Charlotte FC coach talks Shinyashiki’s future, ‘Carowinds ride’ of 2023 ahead of NYCFC

Christian Lattanzio hopes the clouds that have shrouded his team this week can part long enough Saturday night for Charlotte FC to concentrate on soccer, at least for a few hours.

“It is not something I am pleased with,” said the Charlotte FC head coach of the off-the-pitch news that has surrounded the team.

Charlotte FC, trying to rebound from a 3-0 loss last Saturday at D.C. United, hosts New York City FC at 7:30 p.m. in Bank of America Stadium. The visitors are fifth in the MLS East. Charlotte is 14th.

A matchup with NYCFC has historically been good news for the Queen City side. NYCFC was the only team Charlotte beat twice in its inaugural season, and both wins came at remarkably important parts of the season: The first was a huge statement during a tough road stretch — and the second began a late-season resurgence that still serves as the high water mark of Lattanzio’s short tenure.

But it has been difficult to keep this weekend’s match at top of mind, Lattanzio said.

“Everything that happens outside the pitch has an impact on the pitch,” Lattanzio said earlier this week. “I have to make sure we focus on football and put our attention on the job.”

The biggest story surrounding the team this week has been a media report — and subsequent developments — that Charlotte FC forward Andre Shinyashiki had been linked to a March 8 sexual assault case in Charlotte. No charges have been filed in the case. Shinyashiki acknowledged the situation on Twitter earlier this week, in part saying: “No charges have been filed against me. I’ve also been cleared by MLS to play. I’ll have no further comment.”

Shinyashiki, 25, the 2019 MLS Rookie of the Year, hasn’t played with Charlotte FC since early April. Published reports last week linked him to a trade with Real Salt Lake for veteran forward Justin Meram, but Charlotte FC instead acquired Meram for cash ($200,000, with a possible additional $150,000 in incentives).

Lattanzio said Shinyashiki will not play Saturday but he did not completely shut the door on Shinyashiki’s tenure with Charlotte.

“Not on this weekend,” Lattanzio said of Shinyashiki playing for the team in the future. “I think it is a club decision. I think it is important to have everything clear before — and again, I don’t get all the info about how the situation is. I think it’s the club, they are dealing with that. And so, for this weekend, no.

Is there any path back to playing for the team?

“I don’t know,” the coach added. “We have to see how it goes on — everything. Me personally, I never close the door to anyone because life taught me how experience works.”

Focusing on New York City FC

During a meeting with reporters, Lattanzio said several times that he wants to focus on the team and its match Saturday.

“We are human beings and can be affected by many things, but we know we have to concentrate,” he said.

Concentration has been a challenge this season for Charlotte FC. Before the season even started, the team lost standout center-back Anton Walkes to a fatal boat accident in Florida. The team has also battled injury at several key positions this season, which includes center back Bill Tuiloma, who also missed last weekend.

The team has now notched 2 wins, 5 losses and 3 draws — but had gotten results in their last five matches before Saturday’s loss.

Lattanzio described the season as a “Carowinds ride.” But he said he thinks Charlotte FC will be ready for Saturday’s match.

“They trained very well this week, despite all that was going on,” he said.

Lattanzio said he is hoping veterans, like forward Karol Swiderski and midfielder Ashley Westwood, can help keep the team on an even keel.

Swiderski could be a key figure Saturday night. He had a role in three of Charlotte’s four goals last season against New York FC. The Crown won 1-0 at home in September, after a 3-1 triumph in August in New York City.

Saturday’s match

• Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC

• 7:30 p.m., Bank of America Stadium

• TV: MLS Pass, on Apple TV

• Radio: WFNZ-FM (92.7), in English; WOLS-FM (106.1), in Spanish

Alex Zietlow contributed to this report.