Charlotte FC loses 1st home match in front of MLS-record crowd. Here’s what we learned
Charlotte FC’s match against the LA Galaxy saw a record number of fans in the stands, but a limited number of goals in the net. It wasn’t the high-scoring rout that the Major League Soccer expansion team was dealt against D.C. United last week when the new team lost 3-0 on the road.
The match, Charlotte’s second-ever, ended in a 1-0 loss against its first Western Conference opponent of the season in front of 74,479 fans, a single-match league attendance record.
LA midfielder Efraín Álvarez scored in the 77th minute, firing a shot from outside the box and into the top right corner behind Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, who totaled five saves.
Here’s what we learned during Charlotte FC’s second match of the season.
Goal conceded, but defense did its job
Despite the goal, Charlotte’s defense proved to be a fairly formidable wall against LA’s explosive attacking line. The Galaxy didn’t capitalize early on shots by star forwards Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and Brazilian international Douglas Costa.
Kahlina recorded three saves by the half, which the teams entered tied 0-0, and defenders Christian Makoun, Guzmán Corujo, Jaylin Lindsey and Christian Fuchs batted away remaining attempts.
“Chicharito, for example, he didn’t score, but he pushed our center-backs (to) their limits,” Charlotte FC head coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez said. “(I’m) very proud personally of Fuchs, Makoun, Jaylin and Corujo. They did amazing.”
Charlotte still finding its rhythm up front
Despite the return of Polish striker Karol Świderski, who was absent last match while resolving his international paperwork, Charlotte’s front line is still finding its timing up front.
The Galaxy attempted 21 shots, compared to Charlotte’s five.
“This is the most difficult thing for coach, and for us, is to make this connection (on the) attack,” Kahlina said. “For defense, you can make in two, three weeks, really good defense about moving, shifting and our rules ... but the main thing thing in football is to score goals, and this is the most difficult.”
The limited number of attempted goals is where Charlotte stands to improve. Despite second-half substitutions of Ben Bender and McKinze Gaines that provided some spark late in the match, even the attempted shots were easily handled by LA goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.
“We’ll need a little bit more time for this (connection),” Kahlina said of the offense. “But how we played, I think it was really, really good.”
Charlotte attempted only one shot in the first half (on target) and four in the second half, two of which were on target. Of Los Angeles’ 21 shots, six were on goal.
Charlotte FC can fill the stands
Charlotte FC’s inaugural season was a long time coming. The expansion bid was awarded to the city, and team owner David Tepper, more than two years ago.
While the pandemic put an unfortunate delay on the originally-planned inaugural season in 2021, it meant that Charlotte FC had plenty of time to drum up interest for its first-ever home match. A record-setting attendance of figure has long been a goal and the club can consider it achieved.
“Of course we play football because we want to win, but today I believe that I am the happiest coach in the world. It was amazing,” Ramírez said. “I cannot describe in words the energy, and I would like to thank everyone that joined us in this party, because it was a party.”
Those were the exact words Tepper used, a “party,” in describing his vision for Charlotte FC, and the home opener delivered. The crowd leaned young and the supporters were loud. The next test, though, is seeing whether the support sticks. Ramírez thanked, “North Carolina, South Carolina, Charlotte, everyone that came today” after the match and added one request.
“I would like to see them back in the next game, because they will enjoy, and these players deserved -- by the job that they do everyday -- these people supporting and the energy,” he said.
Charlotte FC has sold more than 20,000 season tickets, Tepper Sports chief executive officer Nick Kelly told The Observer earlier this week, but is still aiming to average 30,000 fans at its home matches over the course of the season. Wins, or at least goals, will surely keep that momentum going.
This story was originally published March 5, 2022 at 9:53 PM.
