Charlotte FC vs LA Galaxy live updates: Largest crowd in MLS history saw a 1-0 match
Charlotte has waited for more than two years for this moment, the promise of Major League Soccer in the Queen City finally becoming a reality.
Charlotte FC will play its first home match tonight at 7:30 when it plays host to the LA Galaxy at Bank of America Stadium in front of a national TV audience on Fox (WJZY).
The Observer has six journalists, including beat reporter Alex Andrejev and columnist Scott Fowler, at Bank of America Stadium tonight covering the game and what’s happening around it in uptown. We’ll have live coverage, photos and videos on this page throughout the night and expanded coverage at CharlotteObserver.com after the match.
Refresh this page for the latest updates.
Full time: LA Galaxy 1, Charlotte FC 0
The Galaxy spoiled Charlotte’s MLS party with a 1-0 victory at Bank of America Stadium. FC was limited to only three shots on target and five total shots.
Stoppage time
Six minutes of stoppage time have been added. LA Galaxy leads Charlotte FC 1-0.
Efraín Álvarez goal
76:35. Charlotte wanted a foul called inside the penalty box. Instead, moments later, FC gave up the first goal of the game with a shot off the left foot of Efraín Álvarez from outside the box to put the Galaxy up 1-0.
Charlotte FC substitutions
72:00. Ben Bender enters to replace Titi Ortiz. Daniel Rios enters to replace Karol Swiderski.
The score remains 0-0.
First substitution
53:00. Sacha Kljestan enters for LA Galaxy in place of Victor Vázquez.
Halftime: Charlotte FC 0, LA Galaxy 0
A defensive first half as Charlotte and Los Angeles are tied after the first 45 minutes. The Galaxy has controlled possession for better than 54 percent of the time and has been pepper shots (16) toward Kristijan Kahlina, but only has three on target. Charlotte, meanwhile, has only one shot and it was on target by Karol Swiderski.
There were two minutes of stoppage time.
Yellow card for Sega Coulibaly
Stoppage time: LA Galaxy’s Sega Coulibaly pulled down Karol Swiderski by his jersey at midfield.
Yellow card for Christian Fuchs
36:36. A slide tackle by Charlotte FC defender Christian Fuchs near midfield sent an LA Galaxy player flying. Fuchs appeared to get the ball first, but it had dribbled way out in front of the Galaxy attacker and was tripped by FC’s star player.
The score is still 0-0.
The Record is official
25:09. Over the PA system at Bank of America Stadium, it was just announced that Charlotte has officially set the record for the most fans ever at an MLS match: 74,479.
The score is still 0-0.
Match underway
LA’s stars Douglas Costa and Chicharito have both attempted shots by the 15th minute, but Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina is able to easily pick up one, and the other is defended away. Chicharito tries a second shot on goal within minutes, and Kahlina records another save, then knocks away a close shot off a corner.
Charlotte FC has had some earlier opportunities in the first 10 minutes. Winger Yordy Reyna is fed a cross, nearly knocking it in, but it’s played out of the net by the Galaxy.
The whistle blows after significant crowd hype, including a first tifo unveiling and and a packed stadium singing the national anthem in unison after the performer’s mic cuts out. Charlotte FC owner David Tepper delivered a message to fans in a video recording, saying the moment has been “a long time coming.”
How’s traffic in uptown Charlotte?
As of 3:15 p.m., Tryon and Church streets in uptown were already getting backed up with traffic as fans make their way to tailgate and dine around the stadium.
Here is a live traffic map from our TV partners WSOC.
Largest crowd in MLS history
Charlotte FC is expected to break the record for the largest crowd to ever watch an MLS match when it hosts the LA Galaxy.
As of Thursday morning, Charlotte FC had sold 73,500 tickets to the match, more than the MLS record of 73,019 set by Atlanta United in its 2018 MLS Cup match.
What channel is the Charlotte FC vs. LA Galaxy game on?
Tonight’s game is being broadcast nationally on FOX. In Charlotte, that’s WJZY-46. You can stream the match on FoxSports.com with a cable or satellite subscription. Alternatively, you can watch the via YouTube TV or Hulu+ Live TV.
What time is does Charlotte FC play?
Charlotte FC and the LA Galaxy play at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
This story was originally published March 5, 2022 at 3:22 PM.
