June 29, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release
In the infamous Houston heat and humidity on Saturday night, the home team got off to a much better start. After dominating possession over the opening five minutes, the Dynamo scored the opening goal. A low cross was fired into Sebastian Ferreira’s feet inside the box, and the striker cleverly chipped it through for Ibrahim Aliyu to smash home past Kristijan Kahlina.
The early goal eliminated any potential for CLTFC to add to their league-leading nine clean sheets, and it also ended a streak of never conceding in the first half hour of matches so far in 2024.
A few minutes later, Kerwin Vargas tested Steve Clark in the Houston goal for the first time, snapping a shot at his near post that the keeper parried wide. However, over that opening half hour, the Dynamo continued their possession dominance over CLTFC.
Djibril Diani picked up a yellow card in the 27th minute for a rough, mistimed challenge outside the box. That set up Houston captain Hector Herrera for a free kick opportunity, which he fired on goal but Kahlina saved comfortably.
CLTFC responded with a neat combination between the front three of Agyemang, Vargas, and Abada, which ended with a shot on goal for the Israeli winger that Clark also saved comfortably.
After a water break at the half hour mark, Houston generated a good chance for Ferreira. Latif Blessing took a cross down and set it for the striker, but he hooked his volley just wide of the post.
Ferreira had another chance three minutes later that he should have scored. A looping cross from Aliyu evaded Adilson Malanda on the front post, giving Ferreira a clear look at goal. He whiffed his volley, though, and the cross sailed harmlessly past the far post and out for a goal kick.
Charlotte managed to create a few half-chances as the first half wound down. Abada on the right wing was particularly dangerous but couldn’t execute his final pass or cross.
Nathan Byrne made a goal-saving interception in the 42nd minute after Blessing was put in on goal. The attacker tried to square it across the six-yard box for an easy tap-in, but Byrne positioned himself perfectly to cut out the pass and keep the deficit at one.
Ferreira added to his growing list of missed chances in stoppage time. A one-two with Herrera put him through past Andrew Privett inside the box, and Kahlina got his body in the way of his powerful shot, managing to deflect it off his near post and out for a…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Major League Soccer MLS News…