Charlotte FC extends unbeaten streak at home to 14 matches

It was a clear but breezy evening for the Crowns return home to Bank of America Stadium which has truly become a fortress since last season. The crown was coming into last night's match riding a 13-match unbeaten streak at home and looking for redemption against an earlier season loss to Toronto FC on the road. As Head Coach dean Smith brought his squad to the pitch for battle the Starting XI for this night would be Kahlina (GK), Lindsey, Tuiloma, Privett, Uronen, Westwood, Diani, Arfield, Abada, Copetti, Vargas 

As the action got underway Charlotte FC was playing with some early intensity as Kerwin Vargas was taking several shots on goal trying to put the Crown ahead early. However, Toronto's keeper Sean Johnson was up for the task in much of the first half. Vargas finally hit the back of the net in the 39th minute of the first half as Copetti chested a long ball in the direction of the oncoming Vargas who took full advantage of this opportunity to put the Crown up 1-0 going into the half. 

Toronto would not stay behind long coming into the second half as Prince Owusu evened things up in the 49th minute with an assist from Bernardeschi to level the score at 1-1. Over the next twenty minutes of play the two teams battled back and forth when in the 70th minute of action the much anticipated first goal in MLS came for Liel Abada with a pass from Jaylin Lindsey who took advantage of sloppy passing on the part of Toronto deep on their end of the pitch. After Linsey intercepted the pass, he sent the ball to the charging Abada who placed the ball in off the left side of the net on the supporter's side of the pitch. Abada in the excitement of getting his first MLS goal ripped off his jersey in celebration from opening up his MLS account. The crown would take the lead 2-1. 

Toronto's Price Owusu would not allow his club to give in that easy as he scored his second goal of the evening with an assist from Marshall-Rutty. Tying the match up yet again at 2-2. As the match was entering the closing moments the thought of a draw was certainly creeping into everyone's minds at the Bank. Patrick Agyemang in the 85th minute with an assist from Dejaegere would give the crown the lead for good with a 3-2 goal. The only thing left to settle was how much stoppage time would the ref add to the match for the Crown to hold the lead. After 8 minutes of stoppage time was added Charlotte FC remained resilient in defending the fortress and keeping the unbeaten streak at home alive and notching it up to 14 straight home matches without a loss at Bank of America Stadium. 

Following the match, I asked Patrick Agyemang if he felt the match was over once he scored the goal in the 85th minute or was there work to still be done. 

Charlotte FC remains home to take on Minnesota Sunday at Bank of America stadium.