Charlotte FC earned a key first win of the season on the road at Orlando City SC and return home this week to face the New York Red Bulls
CHARLOTTE, NC (Monday, March 20, 2023) – Charlotte FC Defender Harrison Afful and Head Coach Christian Lattanzio earned spots on the MLS Team of the Matchday following the team’s first win of the season against Orlando City SC.
On the road at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, CLTFC stormed out to a 2-0 advantage at halftime through goals from forwards Enzo Copetti and Kerwin Vargas. Despite conceding early in the second half, the team held on for a hard-fought 2-1 win.
Head Coach Christian Lattanzio made five changes to his starting XI ahead of the match, including giving Harrison Afful his first start of the season at left back. He then utilized all five of his substitution opportunities in the second half to make adjustments that ensured the Crown secured all three points.
Afful notched the assist to set up Kerwin Vargas’ eventual game-winner in the first half. The former Ghana international was consistently involved in the attack throughout the match, striking the post just after halftime. He completed 54 passes in 62 attempts, ending the game with an 87.1% completion percentage and leading all Charlotte FC players in all three metrics, per FBref.com.
For the full MLS Team of the Matchday, please see below:
F: Romell Quioto (MTL), João Klauss (STL), Dante Vanzeir (RBNY)
M: Héctor Herrera (HOU), Junior Moreno (CIN), Thiago Almada (ATL)
D: Harrison Afful (CLT), Henry Kessler (NE), Miguel Tapias (MIN), Richie Laryea (TOR)
GK: Maarten Paes (DAL)
Coach: Christian Lattanzio (CLT)
Bench: John McCarthy (LAFC), Tristan Blackmon (VAN), Jake Nerwinski (STL), Santiago Rodríguez (NYC), Luquinhas (RBNY), Caleb Wiley (ATL), Federico Bernardeschi (TOR), Gustavo Bou (NE), Mikael Uhre (PHI)
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