Charlotte FC drops second straight loss to NYCFC in the Big Apple

For the first three minutes of last night's match in historic Yankee Stadium. Charlotte FC looked poised to take this one early and put it away. Kerwin Vargas was the main man, first earning a chance 60 seconds into the match that New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese saved well. However, just two minutes later, he smashed home the opening goal. Before performing his signature back flip. 

The goal came off the assist by Nikola Petkovic – getting just his second start of the season – making a spinning move on an unsuspecting NYCFC defender and sending in a cross towards Enzo Copetti charging hard on the front post. Thiago Martins flicked it clear but it landed at Vargas’ feet, who fired it past a helpless Freese off the upper 90 post and into the back of the net.

The next chance for the crown chance came from Liel Abada in the 8th minute. A turnover in midfield led to some quick play between Copetti and Petkovic to slot in for Abada on the right side. However, Freese charged out quickly to deny the shot and a second goal (and second assist for Petkovic).

After that things pretty much went the way of the home team NYCFC as the crown in ways looked flat and as if they had returned to the weird state from last week at bank of America Stadium where everything seemed a miss. NYCFC had the run of play over the rest of the opening quarter hour. A few free kicks and corners for the hosts were dangerous but well defended. The most notable moment came in the 25th minute when Kahlina bravely charged off his line to clear the ball away from an onrushing Monsef Bakrar, taking a heavy collision in the process.

In the 32nd minute, NYCFC won a free kick outside the box right in line with the middle of the goal. Santiago Rodriguez – who leads the team with four goals and has a free kick goal already this season – whipped it up and over the wall, forcing Kahlina to make an impressive diving save that pushed it off the crossbar and over.

Moments later, CLTFC turned it over in midfield to create a two-on-two counterattack. Julian Fernandez slalomed his way through the scrambling Charlotte defense, but Kahlina once again stood brave by closing down the angle and making a solid stop.

Unfortunately, New York City’s pressure on set pieces paid off with five minutes left in the half. Keaton Parks rose highest on a free kick, powering his header past Kahlina for the equalizer. It appeared there was contact between Parks and Petkovic at the top of the box, which sent Petkovic to the ground in pain. However, after a waiting period, the referee confirmed the goal would stand despite CLTFC protests.

Charlotte did show some signs of life to start the second half with scrappy play on both sides. The opening 10 minutes went by with quite a few fouls, yellow cards for Kerwin Vargas and Ashley Westwood (the third for CLTFC after an early yellow earned by Junior Urso), and some half chances.

The remainder of the second half had some moments like when NYCFC thought they had taken a 2-1 lead in the 55th minute when it seemed Bakrar had grabbed the lead for the hosts, but his finish was ruled out when the offside flag went up.

Moments later in the 60th, it was CLTFC’s turn to think they had taken the lead, only for the offside flag to rob them. On a short corner kick delivery, Copetti rose higher than Freese to win a header and Jere Uronen volleyed the loose ball home. However, the Finnish left but was denied his opening goal of the season as he was judged offside on the Copetti header.

However, after some defensive errors in an NYCFC buildup deep into stoppage time, Nathan Byrne was left outnumbered in the box when a sweeping cross from Santi Rodríguez found Alonso Martinez, who seized the opportunity to tap in the winning goal. Giving NYCFC a 2-1 lead to seal the deal. 

The Crown now returns to the Queen City, where they are set to play four out of their next five matches.