The Full Time Clip: Charlotte FC Extend Shutout Streak to Five Games in Draw Against the Philadelphia Union

May 25, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release

CLTFC are unbeaten in five matches; Designated Player Liel Abada made his return from injury in the 80th minute.

First Half

Lineup: Kahlina, Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Pedro, Westwood, Diani, Petkovic, Tavares, Vargas, Agyemang

Saturday night in Charlotte was a beautiful night for soccer. The lower bowl was packed, and the vibes were high as the team entered with a four-match shutout and unbeaten streak.

Charlotte FC was active early on the offensive end with a big chance for Nikola Petkovic, who Head Coach Dean Smith brought back into the starting lineup as the attacking midfielder. Iuri Tavares battled Nathan Harriel on the left and drove inside, forcing center-back Jakob Glesnes to step. Tavares slipped it into the vacated space inside the box for Petkovic, but the shot was stopped well at a tight angle by Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Oliver Semmle.

In the 18th minute on the other end, the Union had a massive chance to open the scoring. Julian Carranza headed a deep cross back across the goal for Daniel Gazdag, but Philadelphia’s leading goal scorer hit the chance right at Kristijan Kahlina from point-blank range. For his part, the Croatian reacted quickly with a good kick save to keep the score level.

Tavares had an impactful first half on the left wing. He nearly got on the end of a Nathan Byrne cross in the 23rd minute, then blazed past Harriel in the 29th with multiple stepovers to get to the byline, nearly finding Kerwin Vargas with a cutback.

While both teams pride themselves on their defensive foundations, the match was open and end-to-end throughout the first half. Both teams piled up half-chances and shots from a distance, consistently attacking each other with fast counterattacks.

In the 44th minute, Andrew Privett – freshly signed to a new contract this week – made a vital intervention, cutting out a cross intended for an open Carranza on the front post. His lunging touch put the ball out for a corner but narrowly missed going into his own goal at the near post.

After a few more end-to-end moments, referee Guido Gonzales Jr. blew the halftime whistle without adding any stoppage time.

Second Half

Lineup: Kahlina, Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Pedro, Westwood, Diani, Petkovic (71′), Tavares (71′), Vargas (80′), Agyemang

Substitutions: Arfield (71′), Smalls (71′), Abada (80′)

The second half began similarly to the first. CLTFC stayed on the front foot, generating dangerous moments without quite…