South Charlotte Today

Patrick Agyemang scored two goals early in the second half to lead Charlotte FC (CLTFC) to a victory on the road against Philadelphia Union. The match, held on Saturday, saw both teams featuring fresh faces in their lineups. For CLTFC, Ben Bender made his first start of the season after recovering from offseason knee surgery, while for the Union, 18-year-old Homegrown goalkeeper Andrew Rick made his first MLS start.

Both teams traded early chances within the opening five minutes. Liel Abada and Patrick Agyemang had shots on goal early on. However, Kristijan Kahlina faced difficulties with two turnovers playing out of the back. One of these turnovers nearly resulted in a goal for Mikael Uhre, but Adilson Malanda intervened to stop the ball on the goal line.

In the ninth minute, Philadelphia center-back Jakob Glesnes forced Kahlina to palm over a shot from distance. Charlotte then defended consecutive corners as a supportive crowd cheered for the home team.

Through about the 25th minute, CLTFC struggled to settle into the match as Philadelphia appeared dangerous with quick switches of play and crosses into their forward pairing of Uhre and Tai Baribo. Abada had two chances but failed to convert either opportunity.

A cooling break at the half-hour mark allowed Head Coach Dean Smith and his staff to reorganize their team. From that point onward, CLTFC found better footing in the match.

Liel Abada remained central to Charlotte's attack. In the 33rd minute, Nathan Byrne found him between lines; however, a deflection slowed down his shot allowing Rick an easy catch. Agyemang also missed a header from close range off a corner kick.

On defense, Kahlina recovered well from his early mistakes. He saved a low shot through traffic by Nathan Harriel without giving up any rebound opportunities.

The first half ended scoreless as neither team could capitalize on their chances.

Neither team made changes at halftime. However, in the 56th minute, Charlotte opened scoring with an impressive back-to-front goal involving multiple players and culminating in Agyemang's header into the top corner off Jere Uronen’s cross.

Five minutes later after some neat passing sequences Agyemang nearly curled one into top corner but missed slightly under shot too much.

In 63rd minute though young American striker doubled lead started three vs three counter slipped forward by Abada drove right cut inside left foot rifled near post past Rick.

Kahlina continued making crucial saves stopping Quinn Sullivan twice one routine another excellent close-range save.

Dean Smith substituted Djibril Diani Iuri Tavares protect result twenty minutes remaining Bender exited Bronico slid attacking midfield spot replaced star man Agyemang top.

Bronico nearly scored third clean look Rick saved strong right keeping deficit two.

After second-half cooling break Chris Donovan decent chance near post low Sullivan cross hit side netting going other way Byrne scything run multiple lines laid Vargas Colombian fired over bar Bronico served great cross free Abada back post ripped outside side netting referee added eight minutes stoppage time Union resigned defeat half-hearted attempts score Charlotte maintained dominance substitutes such Iuri Tavares Brecht Dejaegere displayed poise closing match impressive form persists just one loss last ten games grueling schedule three matches week now chance recuperate before challenging away game Houston next week