Charlotte FC vs New England Revolution Recap

The Charlotte FC started its second season off this past Saturday in Bank of America Stadium against the New England Revolution. 

It was an action-packed match against the New England Revolution that kept the 69,345 fans in attendance on their feet throughout the match. Despite looking a little rusty from the off season, the team showed energy and flashbacks of what made for a pretty electric preseason campaign. It was a party atmosphere in and around the stadium right up to the very end. Even with New England playing the spoiler with a goal in the 89th minute of the match. 

The team opened the match with the starting lineup consisting of Sisniega, Byrne, Malanda, Tuiloma, Mora, Westwood, Bronico, Jóźwiak, Świderski, Gaines, Copetti. Though the match started off a little sloppy and loose the defense almost gave up an early goal to New England's Charles Gill when he missed a free kick that may have certainly hushed the crowd if it found the back of the net. 

About midway through the first half Charlotte FC's Ashley Westwood nearly made a goal after a great pass from Joseph Mora. New England made several opportunities to score with Goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega keeping them at bay time after time with several great saves. Both teams were able to generate opportunities but a lack of polish in the final third hindered them from opening up the scoring.

Both teams entered the half with a 0-0 score. 

Coming out for the second half Charlotte FC winning corner kick after corner kick. However, the club was unable to capitalize on any of those opportunities. New England started to change the momentum halfway through the second half coming within inches of scoring a goal after a shot hit the crossbar in the 61st minute. 

Charlotte FC made a substitution in the 64th minute bringing in Kerwin Vargas who hit the pitch like a ball of fire. Energizing some chances for the team. Delivering a cross off the head of Karol Swiderski who hit it just wide and followed it up by creating the Crown's first shot on target with a hit of his own in the 69th. Moments later Charlotte FC had another golden opportunity when Brandt Bronico found Kerwin Vargas who missed the goal high. 

In the 89th minute of the match New England played the spoiler with a goal from Henry Kessler who happened to seize an opportunity off a slide block from Bill Tuilhoma. The ball ricocheted off Tuilhoma on the slide and Kessler slid his shot in under the resilient Sisniega. 

Charlotte Fc did not hang their heads in defeat the team continued to battle to the very end with one last shot on goal by Vargas that hit the post and deflected out of bounds. 

Charlotte looks ahead to next week's match as they hit the road to take on the MLS newcomer's, St. Louis SC, on March 4th at 7:30PM.