Charlotte FC gets early goal to get home opening win against NYCFC

Charlotte FC opened up the 3rd campaign in their short history at Bank of America Stadium last night in from of over 62,000 fans. The weather brought some light rain showers for most of the day before drier and cooler air moved in for the coldest Home Opener for the club in its history. The action was hot early on the pitch as Adilson Malanda scored off a corner early in the second half to secure three points for Charlotte FC on the opening day of the 2024 MLS season.

Brecht Dejaegere’s delivered a ball to Iuri Tavares on the front post, whose header crashed down off the crossbar. The former Crown Legacy FC striker who was promoted to the First Team this offseason, thought for sure he had the first goal of the season for the crown, but it was Malanda who powered it fully across the line from point blank range.

Despite having a large margin in time of possession by NYCFC, they were never able to break down the Charlotte FC defensive structure. Kahlina had a very quiet night in net for the most part and the Crown's defenders have earned their first bottle of wine on Coach Dean Smith for a clean sheet. A promise Smith made to his defenders before the season started. 

After the match Coach Smith was asked about his thoughts on the prematch festivities that take place at the bank and here is what he had to say. 

Malanda was asked after the match how he felt about getting the only goal in the match and the first goal of the season for the Crown. 

Ashley Westwood the Team Captain was asked about the wine the Coach said he would buy after a clean sheet and here was his response. 

The club now heads north of the border to start a three-game road trip to take on Vancouver, Toronto and Nashville before returning to the Bank on Saturday March 23rd.