Full clip: Charlotte FC earn another point away in a back-and-forth match at Austin FC

July 20, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC Press Release

On Saturday night in Austin, both teams debuted new Designated Players for the 2024 season. For Austin FC, Osman Bukari – a full Ghanaian international and right winger – made his debut on the right wing. For Charlotte FC, it was a more familiar face in Karol Swiderski, who had just returned from a half-season loan at Verona in Italy’s Serie A.

Bukari was the first to create a chance, crossing to Gyasi Zardes in the penalty area. Zardes climbed high and back a bit to reach the header, and thus could not direct the ball towards goal.

However, Alexander Ring struck first for Austin in the 11th minute. Charlotte were sloppy, playing from the back and losing the ball, giving Dani Pereira the chance to flick a cross over the head of Andrew Privett. Ring got in behind the young defender and headed the ball into the net past a helpless Kristijan Kahlina.

Swiderski had his first good chance in the 17th minute. Djibril Diani quickly pushed the ball forward for the Polish striker, and he turned with space and time above the penalty area. After taking some time to assess the shot, he fired over the bar.

In the 25th minute, Diani went on another long run down the left touchline (where he had found plenty of space in the first quarter). He found Iuri Tavares in the penalty area with his cross, who made an acrobatic scissor move that went wide of the post.

CLTFC had dominated possession for most of the game since that early goal from Austin. Finally, just over half an hour later, that dominance paid off with a penalty. Nathan Byrne served a long cross to the back post, where Diani nodded the ball to Tavares. The forward had his back to goal and Ring swung through his back legs to send him to the ground. Referee Jon Freemon pointed to the spot without hesitation.

Then it was (of course) Karol Swiderski who took the penalty and took responsibility. In the 33rd minute he sent Stuver the wrong way and fired the ball into the right side netting for the equalizer.

Austin showed some signs of danger in the remaining minutes of the half, but most of it passed without much to complain about, and the teams went into the locker rooms in an evenly matched battle.

Second half

Lineup: Kahlina, Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Uronen, Westwood, Diani, Bronico (82′), Vargas (71′), Tavares (71′), Swiderski (65′)

Substitutions: Agyemang (65′), Smalls (71′), Dejaegere (71′), Bender (82′)

Just twenty seconds into the first half, Karol Swiderski should have doubled his goal tally for the day. Austin right back Hector Jimenez played a blind pass back to his keeper, Brad Stuver, and Swiderski lurked to intercept. He rounded Stuver and had an open goal to shoot at, but he lost his balance and the ball hit the crossbar.

At the other end, Austin almost scored from a corner, but the header went a few yards over Kahlina’s crossbar.

Then, just a few minutes later, Swiderski had another excellent chance. It came from a one-time cross from Ashley Westwood (almost a carbon copy of his assist to Tavares against Columbus) that found Swiderski’s head. Unfortunately for Charlotte, Stuver made a first-class reactionary save.

Finally, Charlotte FC were rewarded for their excellent start to the second half in the 56th minute. Brandt Bronico won a throw-in and quickly crossed it to Westwood in the penalty area. The Charlotte captain rose to a short cross to Tavares at the far post, who calmly slotted his shot past Stuver to take the lead. It was an eerie display of their connection before that Columbus goal.

Austin FC Head Coach Josh Wolff made three immediate changes after the goal. Owen Wolff replaced new man Bakari and Jimenez was replaced by Jon Gallagher. Right back Mikkel Desler – Austin’s other big summer signing – also entered the game to make his debut.

Tavares had another chance in the 59th minute. He met a cross from Kerwin Vargas, cut inside with his right foot and shot on goal while sliding on the grass. Stuver made another good stop.

Charlotte FC Head Coach Dean Smith’s first move came in the 64th minute. Patrick Agyemang, who had been sacrificed in the starting lineup for Swiderski, entered the game to replace his Polish teammate. Tyger Smalls and Brecht Dejaegere also entered the game in the 71st minute, replacing Iuri Tavares and Kerwin Vargas on the wings.

At this point in the game Austin were on the rise as they dominated possession for long periods. Charlotte defended their penalty area well but struggled to get the ball to open up their lines and relieve pressure.

Finally, Verde and Black found their equalizer in the 80th minute. After a bit of a broken play above the penalty area, they found Diego Rubio in the left-hand box. He fired a cross down the ground in one go and Gallagher passed Privett to the front post to fire home from close range.

Immediately Dean Smith brought on Ben Bender for Brandt Bronico to try and score a winning goal. Dejaegere found it almost immediately when Smalls found him in space on the right. The Belgian drove at his defender and shot towards the far post which flew inches wide.

Byrne had a good chance in the 88th minute when a cleared set piece ended up at his feet at the top of the penalty area, but his curling effort found Stuver’s net.

Agyemang then probably had the best chance to win the game just before injury time. He fought his way past Brendan Hines-Ike in midfield, who did his best to drag the forward down. Ben Bender was completely free at the far post, but Agyemang played the pass too close to Stuver, who anticipated Agyemang’s intention and intercepted the pass.

Privett came up with a big block in the second of six minutes of injury time. Wolff had a great chance to get him one-on-one, but the American defender remained patient and pulled out to block his shot as he moved to his right.

He made another crucial play during what looked to be a clear one-on-one opportunity between Diego Rubin and Austin’s Kahlina. The young defender quickly jumped on a loose touch from Rubin, clearing the ball and tying the game for Charlotte.

This marks the end of Charlotte’s three-game away streak, in which they secured a commendable five out of a possible nine points in a tough series. All eyes now turn to the Leagues Cup, where both MLS and Liga MX teams will battle it out World Cup-style for a shot at a trophy.

Cruz Azul comes to The Fortress to take on Charlotte FC in the 2024 Leagues Cup on July 31 at 8:00 PM

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