Charlotte FC secured a top seven seed in the MLS Playoffs with a 2-0 win over CF Montréal. The win was Charlotte’s first ever win against Montréal.
Charlotte went on the attack early, with a shot from Abada that took a deflection to just miss the goal and set Charlotte up with a corner kick in the 3rd minute. A free kick for Charlotte in the 11th minute proved to be a good chance as Ashley Westwood put the ball right near the penalty spot, but Karol Świderski’s header missed wide of the goal. Świderski had another header in the 14th minute, this one on target, but less power, allowing the goalkeeper to make a diving save.
Montréal had a chance in the 30th minute with a sequence of passes leading to a shot from the right side of the box hitting the side netting. Charlotte finally broke through in the 34th minute. Liel Abada received a pass from Pep Biel and took a long range shot that was saved by the keeper, but he could not keep it in his hands. Świderski came crashing in to get the loose ball and with a sliding effort put the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 Charlotte lead.
There were not many good chances early in the second half. Montréal had another chance in the 55th minute with a shot from Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty that was easily saved by Kristijan Kahlina.
Later in the half, Iuri Tavares was shown a yellow card for simulation after going to the ground while trying to dribble through two defenders in the box in the 79th minute. A couple minutes later in the 81st minute Júnior Urso took a shot from outside the box, forcing the goalkeeper to make a save.
Charlotte FC added a second goal in the final minutes of the match when Tavares made a tackle to win the ball back leading to a leading to a great ball from Brandt Bronico to Patrick Agyemang in the other half with just one defender between him and the goalkeeper. Agyemang got past the defender in the box and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 to secure the win. The win was Charlotte’s first ever win against Montréal.
Charlotte’s next match is on the road against D.C. United on Saturday, October 19 and will be their final match of the regular season.
Charlotte FC
CF Montreal