It was Charlotte FC’s night until it wasn’t. The Crown showed the fight, the energy, and everything they needed to get the win. But the soccer gods had other ideas, as Charlotte FC were knocked out of MLS Cup Playoffs after a penalty shootout in Orlando.
The first half was the chaos we expected it to be. Charlotte defended like their life depended on it because it did. Orlando hit the post twice, Kahlina was Kahlina, and what few chances Charlotte had never materialized.
However, the tumultuous event of the night came in the first half: A Patrick Agyemang goal, or not goal. Pep Biel slotted Pat in on goal, a slip pass over the backline, and Pat had a clinical chip to put Charlotte up 1-0. The goal would be deemed offside. But Charlotte fans, players, and everyone really will be hard-pressed to see how it was clear and obvious. No camera angles in Orlando were satisfactory enough to get a real clear look. So the offside call was upheld, despite what looked to be a trailing defender holding Patrick onside. 0-0 at the break.
To the second half, we went, where the chaos never stopped. The defense continued to play lights out, with Nathan Byrne, Adilson Malanda, and Ashley Westwood all making miraculous, match-saving stops. By the 60th minute, it was clear Charlotte needed a shakeup, and on came Karol Swiderski and, moments later, Liel Abada too. It was the spark plug the side needed as some momentum swung back Charlotte’s way. Karol would break the deadlock in the 81st minute after controlling the ball, driving at the backline, finding Liel in the box, who played it back across for Karol to finish. It was the exact moment you needed out of two DPs late in the match. 1-0 Charlotte.
