North Charlotte Today

Charlotte FC was unable to overcome an early fifth-minute goal in humid Texas conditions on Saturday night, resulting in a 1-0 loss to Houston Dynamo FC.

In the infamous Houston heat and humidity, the home team got off to a better start. After dominating possession over the opening five minutes, the Dynamo scored the opening goal. A low cross was fired into Sebastian Ferreira’s feet inside the box, and the striker cleverly chipped it through for Ibrahim Aliyu to smash home past Kristijan Kahlina.

The early goal eliminated any potential for CLTFC to add to their league-leading nine clean sheets and ended a streak of never conceding in the first half hour of matches so far in 2024.

A few minutes later, Kerwin Vargas tested Steve Clark in the Houston goal for the first time, snapping a shot at his near post that the keeper parried wide. However, over that opening half-hour, the Dynamo continued their possession dominance over CLTFC.

Djibril Diani picked up a yellow card in the 27th minute for a rough, mistimed challenge outside the box. That set up Houston captain Hector Herrera for a free kick opportunity, which he fired on goal but Kahlina saved comfortably.

CLTFC responded with a neat combination between Agyemang, Vargas, and Abada, ending with a shot on goal for Abada that Clark also saved comfortably.

After a water break at the half-hour mark, Houston generated another chance for Ferreira. Latif Blessing took a cross down and set it for Ferreira, but he hooked his volley just wide of the post.

Ferreira had another chance three minutes later that he should have scored. A looping cross from Aliyu evaded Adilson Malanda on the front post, giving Ferreira a clear look at goal. He whiffed his volley though, and it sailed harmlessly past the far post and out for a goal kick.

Charlotte managed to create some half-chances as the first half wound down. Abada on the right wing was particularly dangerous but couldn’t execute his final pass or cross.

Nathan Byrne made a crucial interception in the 42nd minute after Blessing was put in on goal. The attacker tried to square it across for an easy tap-in but Byrne positioned himself perfectly to cut out the pass and keep Charlotte's deficit at one.

Ferreira added to his missed chances list in stoppage time when Herrera put him through past Andrew Privett inside the box. Kahlina managed to deflect Ferreira's powerful shot off his near post and out for a corner.

Despite Charlotte's sloppy first half, Head Coach Dean Smith’s team survived it only trailing by one goal with adjustments planned for the second 45 minutes.

Smith made a rare halftime substitution replacing Ben Bender with Nikola Petkovic looking for creativity in midfield. The match balance was more even initially but both teams struggled to create clear chances.

In minute 59 through Abada again came Charlotte's first danger flash as he slipped a pass into Petkovic who got two shots away from tight angles; Clark saved both efforts.

Agyemang then went on one of his trademark runs downfield but ran out of space facing defenders before escalating into scuffle without referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere issuing cards.

Smith substituted Iuri Tavares replacing Agyemang who immediately drew free-kick earning Escobar yellow card tackled dangerously.Tavares created best chance game minute75 backheeling Bronico pass streaking behind firing near-post save by Clark preserving lead

Teams then sideline final water-break setting sprint finish last12minutes.Scott Arfield entered during break exiting Diani creating attack-minded midfield

Outbreak picking building attacking momentum equalizer Tavares prime chance81minute sneaking defenders meeting good Abada cross failing direct frame

Final dice bench Tyger Smalls entered Uronen moving back-three aggressive forward setup chasing game.Kahlina massive save early stoppage keeping Charlotte game palming Kowalczyk effort outside-box ultimately coming short search equalizer dropping three points road

Charlotte FC return home Wednesday July3rd facing Supporter's Shield leaders Inter Miami crucial match Eastern Conference playoff outlook separating third sixth place three points