CLFC falls in heartbreaking Eastern Conference Semifinal match in front of nearly 2,000 fans at Matthews Sportsplex
Crown Legacy FC finished the regular season as the best team in the Eastern Conference, compiling an impressive 19 wins with only four losses and four draws. They entered the playoffs as the #1 seed in the East and hosted their first-ever playoff match against Columbus Crew 2.
Legacy dominated possession throughout the match as Columbus were content to concede possession, defend deep with 10 men, and hit on the counter attack. CLFC peppered their goal with shots in the first half but were unable to find a breakthrough.
The Crew’s tactical plan paid off early in the second half with the opening – and only – goal of the match. Diego Almeida sent a direct ball over the top to Noah Fuson, who beat out Joao Guilherme for the ball and buried it past goalkeeper Isaac Walker into the bottom corner.
From there, CLFC threw numbers forward with increasing desperation. They created a number of quality chances, particularly through forward Patrick Agyemang. However, a mixture of great saves, good defending, and unlucky bounces meant they couldn’t find the equalizer to send the match to overtime.
Crown Legacy FC Starting XI:
Walker (GK), Scardina, Guilherme, Pedro, Williams, Mayaka, Petkovich, Poreba ©, Cambridge, Tavares, Agyemang
Substitutions: Josue Rodrigues (72’), Thiago (78’), Smith (87’)
Columbus Crew 2 Starting XI:
Lapkes (GK), Holstad, Erlandson, Rogers, Mohamed, De Libera, Micaletto, Fuson, Habroune, Bunbury, Gannon
Substitutions: Roberts (46’), Almeida (46’), Adu-Gyamfi (77’), Kader Bohui (82’)
Goals:
50’ – CLB2 – Noah Fuson (assist: Almeida)
