Second half goals power CLTFC over Portland as the Crown gets back to winning ways

In a galaxy not that far away from Rowan County known as the Queen City. The members of a Rebellion known as Charlotte FC got ready for battle against the evil Galactic Empire known as the Portland Timbers. The weather heading into this epic battle was trying to wreak havoc on the battlefield and spectators in the morning hours of Saturday. By the time these two forces collided the weather became less of a factor and the saga we all came to see started to unfold. 

Saturday’s match started with Charlotte FC down two key attackers: Kerwin Vargas (through yellow card accumulation suspension) and Liel Abada (through injury). In fairness, the Portland Timbers were also missing two key players in Evander, their leading goal scorer, and Diego Chara, the all-time MLS appearance leader for a single club.

Amidst the misty weather and lingering smoke from the pre-match pyrotechnics, CLTFC found the first big chance of the night 10 minutes in. Patrick Agyemang took a hopeful clearance by Andrew Privett and turned it into a lung-busting run down the far sideline. He broke containment inside the box at the byline and crossed for Ashley Westwood. The team captain set it for Nikola Petkovic, but his first-time shot curled agonizingly wide of the post.

The Crown carved out another huge chance in the 18th minute, which Petkovic will want back. Iuri Tavares pulled out a neat bit of skill at the midfield line and slotted in the young Serbian flying up the center of the pitch. He was running free on goal but slipped a bit as he opened up his hips for the finish and sent it sailing over the bar.

Portland found their first good chance in the 25th minute. Eryk Williamson rose highest in the box to meet a cross, forcing Kristijan Kahlina to scramble and dive to his right, but the header skipped just wide.

Agyemang continued to flash dangerously and forced Timber's goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau into a quality save in the 30th minute. After a turnover in midfield, Agyemang sliced through both Portland center backs. He got his shot away under pressure, and Crepeau dove quickly to push the low shot wide of his far post.

He had another great chance from Petkovic’s cross three minutes later, but the sliding defender and Crepeau blocked his shot on the doorstep of the front post to deflect just wide. At this point, momentum was growing, and Charlotte FC was knocking on the door for the opening goal.

Both teams created quick chances to start the second half. First, Mosquera bombed forward from his right back spot but blazed his shot over the bar. Then, just a minute later, Agyemang shrugged off Zuparic and sent him to the ground to free himself up in the box, but his shot was blocked.

Then, in the 54th minute, Nikola Petkovic earned his reward for all the hard work and found some redemption for his early missed chances. On top of the box, the Serbian received the ball with his back to goal from Nathan Byrne, turned with a skillful nutmeg on Zach McGraw, and fired home his finish at the near post for the opening goal.

In the 68th minute, CLTFC nearly doubled the advantage. Ashley Westwood fired in a wide free-kick low and hard, and Agyemang nearly flicked it in right at the goal line. Crepeau poked it clear out to Petkovic, who wound up and struck it cleanly. The home fans thought he had scored, but his strike actually ripped into the outside of the side netting.

Portland earned an extremely dangerous free-kick opportunity in the 82nd minute after Andrew Privett fouled just outside the box. It took over two minutes for it to be taken as the teams jockeyed for position around the wall, but Rodriguez sprayed it well over in the end.

After a tense few minutes on the pitch and in the stands, things quickly turned as Enzo Copetti emphatically ended his scoring drought and sealed the victory for The Crown. A poor throw-in towards the backline from the Timbers opened a chance for Copetti to pounce, and he did just that. Winning the ball and powering towards the goal, Copetti slotted home the 1v1 opportunity for his first of the season.

Charlotte FC are back at home next weekend to face Nashville SC. An Eastern Conference opponent they will be looking to seek revenge on after defeat earlier in the season