Miles Joseph Associate Head Coach | Charlotte Football Club Website
Miles Joseph Associate Head Coach | Charlotte Football Club Website
Charlotte FC returned home after two consecutive away matches, displaying noticeable energy and urgency from the start. The team quickly took control, winning early set pieces, including corners and free kicks. Their most promising chance came in the 12th minute when a recycled corner fell to Biel, who whipped the ball back into the box towards Andrew Privett. Although Privett couldn't direct it on target, these early moments showed promise for the home side.
Karol Świderski played a key role in Charlotte's best early opportunities, either connecting play or being on the end of potential chances. New England had an opportunity to break through in the 17th minute when Nacho Gil dribbled past Tim Ream and sent a ball aimed at Giacomo Vrioni. However, Vrioni's shot went off target. Another dangerous moment for New England occurred in the 21st minute following a wayward pass from Adilson Malanda. Asmir Bajraktarevic seized the opportunity, setting up Carles Gil in the box with a chance to finish. Gil’s effort went straight at Charlotte’s goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
Charlotte responded by pushing New England back into their defensive third with a series of attacks. Junior Urso had two good chances during this spell but failed to convert them. Byrne’s overlapping runs down the flank were causing problems for New England’s defense.
Vrioni got another shot at breaking the deadlock in the 28th minute when he found himself one-on-one with Kahlina, who made a crucial save to keep the score level. Ten minutes later, Ashley Westwood delivered a perfectly weighted ball to Liel Abada, who was unable to convert with his weaker left foot.
Abada didn’t dwell on his miss and soon unleashed an ambitious strike from outside the box that resulted in a rebound goal after Bronico's half-hit shot ricocheted off the goalkeeper into Abada's path. This marked Abada's first goal since June 2nd against Atlanta United.
As the second half began, Charlotte continued pressing for a second goal while New England also sought opportunities. Vrioni tested Kahlina again but was denied by confident goalkeeping.
In response to waning energy levels due to heat, head coach Dean Smith made three substitutions in the 63rd minute: Patrick Agyemang, Kerwin Vargas, and Djibril Diani replaced Karol Świderski, Abada, and Junior Urso respectively.
Patrick Agyemang immediately impacted by assisting Pep Biel's first goal for Charlotte FC just two minutes after coming on. By the 70th minute, Dylan Borrero received two yellow cards within moments for dissent toward referees following his tackle on Nathan Byrne.
Biel then assisted Agyemang for another goal as New England struggled with ten men on field; this marked Agyemang’s eighth season goal leading his team tally-wise so far! Finally rounding off proceedings was Kerwin Vargas scoring fourth via beautiful far-post finish culminating four-pass buildup sequence preceding it all seamlessly!
Charlotte FC will look forward building upon stellar performance maintaining momentum playoff positioning continues onward next facing Lionel Messi Inter Miami away Ft Lauderdale upcoming fixture ahead!