Charlotte FC vs Cincinnati live updates: Charlotte wins second match in a row
Charlotte FC is looking to secure back-to-back wins at home as the Major League Soccer expansion club hosts FC Cincinnati today at 5 p.m.
Charlotte FC (1-3-0) is ranked 12th of 14 teams in the Eastern Conference and has three points after winning last weekend’s match versus the New England Revolution. FC Cincinnati (2-2-0) is coming off two wins, against Inter Miami last weekend and Orlando City the week prior.
Forward Karol Świderski leads Charlotte FC in goals after scoring two to help boost the team to its first ever-win, which ended with a 3-1 scoreline.
The new team is looking to top that performance and pick up more points today.
Blank sheet
Charlotte FC earned its first-ever shutout today thanks to impressive play in front of the net by keeper Kristijan Kahlina.
The win is Charlotte’s second in a row and improves their record to 2-0-3 in its inaugural season.
Karol Swiderski, who scored both goals, was subbed out in the 90th minute to a standing ovation.
Attendance up today
Official attendance was just announced as 30,242. That’s up from the just over 29,000 who attended last week’s match against the New England Revolution.
Charlotte FC still leads 2-0 in the 76th minute.
Charlotte FC takes a 2-0 lead at 54’
Karol Swiderski. That’s it. That’s the update.
Charlotte up 1-0 at the half
Another early goal puts Charlotte FC up 1-0 at halftime. Cincinnati had an opportunity to tie it up before the whistle when Alvas Powell fired a left footed shot from the center of the box towards the new, but Charlotte FC goalkeeper dropped to the ground and stopped the ball with his right leg for a save in the first minute of stoppage time. Charlotte leads at the half for the second time this season.
Charlotte FC takes early lead
Ben Bender to Karol Swiderski ... it’s just as beautiful as LaMelo Ball to Miles Bridges.
Charlotte FC leads 1-0 in the first half.
Charlotte FC supporters take a shot at Cincinnati
Charlotte and Cincinnati are each known as the “Queen City,” despite there not being a Queen Cincinnati the town was named after when it was incorporated in 1819.
With that nickname in mind, supporters of Charlotte FC used that to inspire today’s tifo that was unveiled after the national anthem, which read “The Real Queen City.”
Charlotte FC debuting new kit
Charlotte’s MLS club will wear its Mint City kit for the first time this season when it hosts FC Cincinnati, which have a black base and mint green accents and numbers.
Charlotte FC midfielder out with surgery
Charlotte FC said Friday that midfielder Chris Hegardt is expected to be sidelined approximately eight weeks after a successful meniscectomy surgery earlier this week.
Hegardt, 20, suffered an injury to his meniscus during training. He appeared in Charlotte FC’s first two matches of the season, against D.C. United and the LA Galaxy, coming on as a substitute in both games.
Expect him not to return until at least mid-May.
What channel is the Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati match on?
This evening’s match is being broadcast locally on WAXN (English) and Telemundo (Spanish). The match will be free to stream at CharlotteFootballClub.com for fans in the Carolina markets.
WHAT TIME DOES CHARLOTTE FC PLAY?
Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati play at 5 p.m. Eastern.
This story was originally published March 26, 2022 at 4:00 PM.
