CHARLOTTE 鈥 It was like scoring their first-ever goal the previous week opened the floodgates for Charlotte FC in their first ever win of the season. The 3 鈥 1 win against the reigning Supporter鈥檚 Shield winners, the New England Revolution, will go down in the history books.
Unlike their previous two matches where it took some time for Charlotte to settle in the match, they were the ones who set the tone early. And what better way to set the tone early than to score a goal?
In the 6th minute, Charlotte FC鈥檚 Karol 艢widerski scored the first-ever home goal that he finessed into the net from outside the box. From then on out, CLTFC controlled the game. They held possession, limited New England's scoring opportunities, and created several of their own.
However, early into the second half, Charlotte conceded their 3rd penalty of the season. Carles Gil buried it to tie the match for the Revolution. Like so many times before in the season, CLTFC had conceded a goal against the run of play.
This time though, they responded quickly with a goal of their own in the 57th minute coming from non-other than 艢widerski. Followed by another from the number one draft pick, Ben Bender, just seven minutes later to seal the game.
It was the Crown鈥檚 best performance of the season, which was rewarded with a well-deserved win.
Karol 艢widerski
What a night it was for the Polish international. After not scoring a single goal through preseason or in the 麻豆视频 regular season, 艢widerski scored two class goals to help CLTFC secure all three points on the night.
But it鈥檚 what he provided for the team outside of his goals that improved the team as a whole. Having a partner up top in Rios worked wonders for him and allowed him more freedom to play his game.
All match, 艢widerski was a focal point for the attack, helping connect play and drawing opposing players to him. He made himself a target for long balls and controlled them with ease, holding up play for his team.
When he wasn鈥檛 dropping to receive balls, he was making runs in behind, always keeping the opposing defenders honest. As well as contributing on defense by pressing and running back to defend when he needed to.
It was a man of the match performance which he and Charlotte FC fans will remember forever.
Defensive Work
The headlines will all be about the three goals scored for Charlotte FC, but it was a hard defensive work and discipline that enabled the team to make the night theirs. Head coach, Miguel Ram铆rez, switched to two-striker formation this match, which not only livened the attack but provided defensive stability throughout the game.
Having two strikers up top allowed the press to be better executed as they now had two players who could put the opposing center backs under pressure. This forced New England to play right into CLTFC鈥檚 game; directing the ball wide where New England was met by CLTFC鈥檚 midfielders and fullbacks.
It also helped nullify the effect of the 2021 麻豆视频 MVP, Carles Gil, who was kept quiet for the majority of the match. How the team defended also demonstrated the continued understanding and chemistry being built between the players which was only going to come with time.
Other Things to Note:
- Jordy Alc铆var and Alan Franco both assisted a goal each
- Ben Bender continues his fine form scoring and assisting two of the goals on the night, totaling to 1 goal and 2 assists in his first two starts for the team
