Dean Smith: "Two reasons we got beat tonight, No. 1 is a red card, and No. 2 is [Montreal's] second goal. And they were preventable, and if we prevent them we win the game because we got a good start, scored a good goal. If we keep 11 vs 11 we win the game."

Smith on red: "We wanted to keep (winger) wide & we let him come inside too easy & he played good thru ball. [Malanda} got caught. The referee didn't call a red card, so no problem w/him. Somebody in VAR re referees the game and decides that referee, who's on the spot is wrong."

Smith: "We all saw it on the big screen after the goalkeeper has made a massive meal of it. The No. 2 comes in and pushes Idan down both both hands. Nothing happens. that's my frustration, them two moments, and the number of the yellow cards we got for unapparent reasons."

Tip of the cap to Brian Snitker. A class man and a testament to the power of perseverance.

PAT IS BACK BABY!!!!!!

Pep Biel trained today. If he can train tomorrow will be available for selection probably off the bench Saturday, Dean Smith said. Toffolo working out on grass but not full practice. Aiming toward Philadelphia for return. The Charlotte Ledger

Dean said w/Bronico and Westwood out, one option he's tried on the training ground this week is Zaha and/or Vargas moving to the 10.

Futbol Friday is OUT. Talking homefield scenarios for Charlotte FC, absence of 3 starters and DC preview. And oh yeah the Waltons are bound for DC! Lots of CLTFC fans on board. @cltledger open.substack.com/pub/charlottel…

Eryk Williamson and Nikola Petkovic starting in place of suspended Brandt Bronico and Ashley Westwood and Privett for Malanda (red). Zaha and Vargas out wide as usual, at least for now. The Charlotte Ledger

Patrick’s first goal with Derby County is all beast mode. He flashed the call cele….

Zaha upper right hand corner converts for Charlotte just moments after he drew a headbutt and a second DC red card. Charlotte FC up 1-0 and two men. Thats one way to make up for three starters missing.

Charlotte FC needed this 1-0 win in DC and got it to stay in the hunt for home field advantage. Had huge chance to get more with two-man advantage but ultimately used it to survive lineup issues of its own. Decision day and Philly awaits Oct 18. The Charlotte Ledger

Pep Biel was unable to make DC trip after Smith’d said Thurs he was back in practice & if all went well Friday he’d be on the bench. Then Pep posts this Instagram message suggesting he might be out for the season. Knee might be more than tendinitis. Translation: Jorge Torres 🇨🇴📸🎥

Undeniable impact. Unique talent. Unmatched production. It's Idan Toklomati's world, and we're all just living in it 😤

A great listen on Dean Smith TopBin90 and a great couple of one-liners including these in his description of Idan Toklomati: “He’s got fire in his belly.” And “He’s the kind of player his teammates like but don’t want to play against in training.”

A playoff match in The Fortress is something you don’t want to miss…so don’t 😤 Get your tickets for our first home playoff match now! cltfc.charlottefootballclub.com/kv8xvcpa

Feedback submitted. And since a computer doesn’t have feelings to heck with it sounding rude.

Tip of the cap!

3 ways Charlotte FC can clinch homefield advantage in Round 1 best-of-three playoffs....The Charlotte Ledger 1. A win Saturday vs. Philly 2. A draw Saturday AND New York City FC LOSS/DRAW vs. Seattle FC 3. Nashville SC LOSS/DRAW vs. Inter Miami AND New York City FC LOSS vs. Seattle FC

No Pep Biel at practice this morning. Harry Toffolo off with the group. Biel knee was acting up on top of hamstring recovery.