ATLANTA – The match against Atlanta had everything you’d expect from a rivalry match. Intense sequences of play, emotions running high, and – unfortunately for Charlotte – also heartbreak.
The first half was all Atlanta United. United looked like the well drilled, confident side we saw in their 3 – 1 win against Sporting Kansas City in their season opener.
Charlotte FC were under a barrage of attacks from Atlanta throughout the entirety of the half. Atlanta pressed high and hard, suffocating Charlotte in their own half.
However, CLTFC ended the half on a positive note, creating two excellent scoring opportunities but weren’t able to convert them. Charlotte carried that momentum into the second half, taking early control and creating an early chance.
Against the run of play, Atlanta United were awarded a penalty which was buried by none other than Josef Martínez. But Charlotte FC responded with their first-ever goal in history with a header from North Carolina native, Adam Armour, off a corner.
In the end, it was a stoppage time goal off a deflection that gave Atlanta all three points on the night, a brutal end to a valiant performance.
Intensity
Atlanta’s dominance in the first half was in large part due to the intensity they started the game with. They were closing down every Charlotte FC player, going harder into the 50/50 balls, and just overall looked to be switched on.
On the other hand, CLTFC started out slow, weren’t pressing as a unit, and ended up giving Atlanta free reign over the game. However, after Charlotte’s narrow miss at goal, it sparked an energy in the players that we didn’t see up until this point.
It was after this that the team started to take the game to Atlanta. They kept up the intensity throughout the second half and were competing until the unfortunate end.
The impact of outworking your opponent should never be overlooked and can make up for deficiencies and weaknesses your team may have. For the next game, it will be important for CLTFC to start the game with the intensity they ended the game with against Atlanta.
Ben Bender
After showing glimpses of his talent in brief substitute appearances, Bender got the chance to start his first MLS game... and boy, did he make the most of it.
Bender was the attacking catalyst for Charlotte FC throughout the entire game. He took on players fearlessly, put in threatening crosses, often creating the best scoring opportunities for the team.
He effort was rewarded by earning the first-ever assist in the Club’s history when he took the corner that resulted in the headed goal by Armour.
He wasn’t only contributing offensively; he was also putting the pressure on the defensive side. Whether it was tracking back to cover runners, closing down opponents, or putting his body on the line for the corner, Bender was doing it all.
After starting the game in an unfamiliar position on the wing, his shift to a central midfield role in the second half alongside Alan Franco was instrumental in Charlotte grabbing control of the game.
Just a little over 3 months ago Bender was playing collegiate soccer, but today he proved that he has what it takes to play at this level. It’s a small sample size so far, but in preseason, the level of what Bender could contribute during his first professional season was in question. Now, ait looks like he could have a greater impact than anyone initially predicted.
