Charlotte FC down the defending MLS Cup Champions at Bank of America Stadium behind goals from Ashley Westwood and Scott Arfield. LAFC’s star-studded attack was kept in check by the Charlotte FC defense, leading The Crown to a clutch three points in the pursuit of a playoff spot.
First Half
Lineup: Kahlina, Lindsey, Malanda, Privett, Byrne, Westwood, Jones, Bronico, Dejaegere, Swiderski, Bender
Charlotte FC got off to a strong start against the defending MLS Cup Champions in front of a rocking Bank of America Stadium and open upper deck. New man Brecht Dejaegere, playing as an inverted left winger, had two solid chances in the opening four minutes but couldn’t get a clean shot off on either.
Over the next 20 minutes, both sides had their fair share of half chances and yellow cards, but goals were hard to come by until Ashley Westwood found a glorious opportunity.
Just before the hydration break half an hour in, Dejaegere combined neatly with Karol Swiderski on the left side of the box, and the Polish striker cut it back for Westwood arriving late. He met the cross first time, glancing across it with his instep and cushioning it into the far post for the opening goal.
The club captain immediately grabbed a “Marco Strong” jersey as he ran to the corner to celebrate, holding up the jersey to show the squad’s support for Academy Coach and Crown Legacy Match Analyst Marco Diaz, who was recently diagnosed with bone cancer.
Throughout the first half, Charlotte FC did well to take the game to LAFC, consistently breaking lines through their press and creating good opportunities. Kristijan Kahlina was up to the task on any chances from the Black and Gold side of the equation and got the team to half with the advantage.
Second Half
Lineup: Kahlina, Lindsey, Malanda, Privett, Byrne (72’), Westwood, Jones (72’), Bronico, Dejaegere (83’), Swiderski, Bender (72’)
Substitutions: Arfield (72’), Uronen (72’), Jozwiak (72’), Meram (83’)
Charlotte FC picked up in the second half right where they left off from the first half. They dominated possession over the opening 15 minutes, crafting some quality chances. Dejaegere was excelling on the left wing, first providing a solid chance for Derrick Jones on the front post and then later dinking the ball to a wide-open Jaylin Lindsey on the back post, whose header crashed off the crossbar.
At the other end, Kahlina was up to the task every time he was tested, coming up with a variety of strong saves when LAFC countered through their star duo of Denis Bouanga and Carlos Vela.
Despite the good spell, CLTFC were caught out in the 67th minute on a counter. Lindsey didn’t quite get the offside trap right with Andrew Privett caught higher up the field, and Bouanga went streaking in behind. He squared it across for Mario Gonzalez, who rounded a helpless Kahlina and tapped it into an open net for the equalizer.
Soon after, Head Coach Christian Lattanzio made three inspired changes to grab back control of the match. Scott Arfield, Kamil Jozwiak, and new man Jere Uronen entered for Jones, Bender, and Byrne, respectively.
Scott Arfield immediately repaid his manager’s faith to put the Crown back on top. A good build from CLTFC around the edge of the box deflected out to Swiderski, who snapped a left-footed volley to the far corner. LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy made an excellent diving save. Arfield, though, was the first to react in the box and slammed home the rebound, giving the crowd his trademark salute.
Justin Meram entered for Dejaegere and Jan Sobocinski for Adilson Malanda to close out a full nine minutes of stoppage time. LAFC had a few solid chances over the course of that stoppage time, but Kahlina saved well on Cristian Oliveira after a heart-stopping turnover inside the box and Bouanga fired over the crossbar from a tight near post angle. Uronen, as well, put his body on the line to block an Aaron Long shot.
In the end, Charlotte FC closed the result out for a clutch 2-1 win at home over the second-place team in the Western Conference. Those three points will be vital as CLTFC push for a playoff spot in the Club’s second season.
