Charlotte FC fell to Chicago Fire FC 1-0 on Saturday, September 26 at Bank of America Stadium, ending their eight-match unbeaten streak. The Crown had also been undefeated in six consecutive MLS matches at home dating back to May 13 previous to Saturday's loss.
“First half we were poor, we were,” Ashley Westwood said. “We couldn't quite get to them, but second half you saw what we're about. I thought we were the better team. We had chances, couldn't quite find the goal. It's been a great run. It's a loss, a disappointing loss, but we'll have a little break now and then come back for the final push for the rest of the season."
Chicago had a chance to shock the crowd and score first in the 18th minute, but Jonathan Bamba’s shot rang off the right post and left the scoreline vacant.
Charlotte FC had their own pair of chances shortly after. On a corner from the right flag, Pep Biel’s cross flew by Djibril Diani’s head in the 24th minute. Ten minutes later, Allan Saint-Maximin tried a shot from outside the box whose path just went by the left post.
Kristijan Kahlina was a big part in helping the score stay tied at zero in the first half, making six saves and making sure The Crown held onto the momentum of the match.
The Crown suffered a blow in the opening minute of the second half with Archie Goodwin going down.
“I thought (Archie Goodwin) could have been a little bit clever at times, run down the inside of (his defender) rather than the outside, come off, get hold of it, set it and go,” Head Coach Dean Smith said. “Hopefully his injury's not too bad and he'll be back soon."
Goodwin was helped off the field following the injury. Tyger Smalls came on to replace Goodwin.
The Fire continued their offensive pressure on Charlotte FC, scoring in the 58th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Charlotte successfully stopped Chicago’s first effort on a corner kick but couldn’t clear the ball out of the box, allowing Johan Gómez to score on a second-chance opportunity.
“I mean it's come back across and we didn't react quick enough and their lad did,” Smith said. “There'll be things that we'll look back at that we can do better from it for sure.”
The Crown quickly equalized and Smalls made an impact within 10 minutes of coming on, scoring in the 59th minute following a Diani shot off the crossbar. After a review, the goal was disallowed due to Smalls being offsides.
Nathan Richmond made his MLS debut in the 81st minute as The Crown continued its conquest for an equalizer, coming on for Harry Toffolo.
“I knew before that there was an opportunity to get minutes,” Richmond said. “I just did whatever I could the week following up from training to earn those minutes and hopefully get an opportunity.”
Charlotte FC couldn’t find the back of the net at the final whistle, and their unbeaten streak was ended by Chicago, the team who had given them their last loss.
Tim Ream was given his second yellow card in the final minute of the game, keeping him out of The Crown's next match.
“The lads know how good we are,” Westwood said. “There's no talk about how many games we were unbeaten, it was onto the next one. The lads were focused and I've said it before, that’s the expectancy now this group have got. We demand to win every game and we believe we can do that.”
Charlotte FC stays at home following the international break, taking on FC Dallas in a clash between playoff hopefuls at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, October 10. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
OCTOBER 10 @ 7:30 PM // CHARLOTTE VS. DALLAS
Join Charlotte FC on Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 PM as they take on FC Dallas at Bank of America Stadium. The first fans to arrive will receive the limited-edition Hooded Scarf presented by Blue Cross NC.
Limited quantities are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis and aren't guaranteed.
