Leagues Cup – Philadelphia Victorious over Charlotte FC, 1-0

Chester, PA

July 27, 2024

Wins have been in short supply for the Philadelphia Union this year, but in Leagues Cup play, the Union held onto a 1-0 lead over Charlotte FC to end the game with a win.  Philadelphia’s coach Jim Curtin called it “not a perfect game by any stretch, by either team.” Charlotte’s coach Dean Smith was more direct in his assessment, stating “it was possibly the worst game” he had seen since he “came over to the USA” and that the game was  “littered with errors from both teams.”  Fans in attendance simply were pleased with Philadelphia’s win.

In an unusual start of the game, Philadelphia’s José Martínez was given the first yellow card for wearing a ring during play.

The lone goal for the match came in the 33rd minute, with a nicely orchestrated play started on the right by Olivier Mbaizo.  Mbaizo passed to Sam Adeniran, who in turn passed to Dániel Gazdag very close to the endline.  Gazdag passed diagonally back to Tai Baribo, who snuck away from his Charlotte defender, Nathan Byrne.  Barbibo easily shot the ball to the left past Kristijan Kahlina, the Charlotte keeper.

While Charlotte held the majority of possession on the evening, it had no shots on goal in 7 attempts, compared with Philadelphia’s 5 shots on goal out of 10 attempts.  Certainly, the Union’s defense deserves some credit in limiting Charlotte’s efforts.

Photographs of the game follow:

The Union’s long-time Captain, Alejandro Bedoya, defending Charlotte’s Kerwin Vargas Philadelphia’s Tai Baribo successfully scores the game’s lone goal.Philadelphia’s Quinn Sullivan and Charlotte’s Brandt Bronico lock arms as Sullivan proceeds downfield. Union newcomer Sam Adeniran and Charlotte’s Adilson Malanda jockey for the ball. Dániel Gazdag alone in midfield.Philadelphia’s Jack Elliott holding back Charlotte’s Patrick Agyemang.