Charlotte FC came into tonight unhappy with their performance in the first half of match one. They knew in front of the home crowd, the energy would be different and they could change the tides of the series. They did just that.
Cagey. Probably the perfect word to describe tonight's match. Charlotte played lockdown defense for the first 45 minutes, resulting in zero shots on goal from Orlando; something not many teams can say they accomplished this season. But it didn't come without some extra bite. The Crown were the clear aggressor in the first 45 minutes and the referee was not having any of it. Whistle after whistle, any touch, push, shove was called, and it allowed Orlando to lean in and use it to their advantage. They slowed the play down for Charlotte's attack and never really let them get a clear look on goal. On the two chances Charlotte did manage, Orlando's goalkeeper, Gallese, made the saves you are accustomed to seeing him make. All level at the break.
Not much changed in the second half when it comes to the tension. Battles up and down the pitch. But as the substitutions came on and tired legs grew, the game opened up. Orlando had their chances. Charlotte too. But both sides were unrelenting in front of goal. Charlotte hustled to every ball, blocked shots, match-saving tackles. Orlando were content on pinching in tight on Patrick Agyemang, not allowing him any space. By the 80th minute, both teams had played all their chess pieces to that point, and it became as tense and cagey as the first ten minutes.
Then in the final minutes, Facu Torres sprung on goal and scored. Charlotte were saved, however, by the offside flag. If you go back and watch the play, Malanda made a play you'd expect of a savvy veteran. In the biggest of moments, he trusted in himself and his backline, to take a step up and let Torres through. Centemeters offside and saved the match for Charlotte.
Penalties decided the fate of this one. And it was electric. 40,238 supporters all standing. All screaming. And Kritijan Kahlina in net. This is what dreams are made of.
Some might have missed it, but right before he stepped to the line, he tossed all of Pedro Gallese's things to the side. He set the tone. And then he set it again, stuffing the first penalty. Patrick Agyemang, Karol Swiderski and Ashley Westwood would all bury their penalties.
Everyone then watched in awe as MLS Goalkeeper of the Year finalist stuffed two more attempts and earned Charlotte FC a history first-ever playoff win.
Charlotte FC will now head back to Orlando for the final match of the Best-of-3 series where it's winner take all to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Starting XIs:
Stats:
Possession %
- CLT: 44.5
- ORL: 55.5
Shots
- CLT: 13
- ORL: 2
Shots on Goal
- CLT: 3
- ORL: 1
Blocked Shots
- CLT: 2
- ORL: 1
Total Passes
- CLT: 369
- ORL: 513
Passing Accuracy %
- CLT: 83.2
- ORL: 86.7
Corners
- CLT: 11
- ORL: 3
Total Crosses
- CLT: 12
- ORL: 12
Offsides
- CLT: 1
- ORL: 4
Expected Goals
- CLT: 1.5
- ORL: 0.1
Goalkeeper Saves
- CLT: 1
- ORL: 3
Clearances
- CLT: 11
- ORL: 13
Fouls
- CLT: 14
- ORL: 8
Yellow Cards
- CLT: 1
- ORL: 3
