CHARLOTTE – It was like scoring their first-ever goal the previous week opened the floodgates for Charlotte FC in their first ever win of the season. The 3 – 1 win against the reigning Supporter’s Shield winners, the New England Revolution, will go down in the history books.
Unlike their previous two matches where it took some time for Charlotte to settle in the match, they were the ones who set the tone early. And what better way to set the tone early than to score a goal?
In the 6th minute, Charlotte FC’s Karol Świderski scored the first-ever home goal that he finessed into the net from outside the box. From then on out, CLTFC controlled the game. They held possession, limited New England's scoring opportunities, and created several of their own.
However, early into the second half, Charlotte conceded their 3rd penalty of the season. Carles Gil buried it to tie the match for the Revolution. Like so many times before in the season, CLTFC had conceded a goal against the run of play.
This time though, they responded quickly with a goal of their own in the 57th minute coming from non-other than Świderski. Followed by another from the number one draft pick, Ben Bender, just seven minutes later to seal the game.
It was the Crown’s best performance of the season, which was rewarded with a well-deserved win.
Karol Świderski
What a night it was for the Polish international. After not scoring a single goal through preseason or in the MLS regular season, Świderski scored two class goals to help CLTFC secure all three points on the night.
But it’s what he provided for the team outside of his goals that improved the team as a whole. Having a partner up top in Rios worked wonders for him and allowed him more freedom to play his game.
All match, Świderski was a focal point for the attack, helping connect play and drawing opposing players to him. He made himself a target for long balls and controlled them with ease, holding up play for his team.
When he wasn’t dropping to receive balls, he was making runs in behind, always keeping the opposing defenders honest. As well as contributing on defense by pressing and running back to defend when he needed to.
It was a man of the match performance which he and Charlotte FC fans will remember forever.
Defensive Work
The headlines will all be about the three goals scored for Charlotte FC, but it was a hard defensive work and discipline that enabled the team to make the night theirs. Head coach, Miguel Ramírez, switched to two-striker formation this match, which not only livened the attack but provided defensive stability throughout the game.
Having two strikers up top allowed the press to be better executed as they now had two players who could put the opposing center backs under pressure. This forced New England to play right into CLTFC’s game; directing the ball wide where New England was met by CLTFC’s midfielders and fullbacks.
It also helped nullify the effect of the 2021 MLS MVP, Carles Gil, who was kept quiet for the majority of the match. How the team defended also demonstrated the continued understanding and chemistry being built between the players which was only going to come with time.
Other Things to Note:
- Jordy Alcívar and Alan Franco both assisted a goal each
- Ben Bender continues his fine form scoring and assisting two of the goals on the night, totaling to 1 goal and 2 assists in his first two starts for the team
