South Charlotte Today

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

Bukari was the first one to craft a chance, lifting a cross towards Gyasi Zardes inside the box. Zardes climbed high and a bit backward to reach the header but couldn’t direct the ball on goal.

In the 11th minute, Alexander Ring struck first for Austin. Charlotte was sloppy playing out from the back and turned the ball over, giving Dani Pereira a chance to dink in a cross over Andrew Privett’s head. Ring arrived behind the young defender and headed the ball down into the net past Kristijan Kahlina.

Swiderski had his first good chance in the 17th minute when Djibril Diani quickly slotted the ball forward for him. The Polish striker turned with space and time on top of the box but fired it over.

In the 25th minute, Diani went on another long run down the left sideline and found Iuri Tavares in the box with his cross. Tavares attempted an acrobatic scissor kick that went wide of the post.

Charlotte dominated possession after Austin's early goal. Just over half an hour into play, their dominance paid off with a penalty kick when Nathan Byrne served in a long cross to Diani who nodded it down to Tavares. Alexander Ring fouled Tavares from behind, leading referee Jon Freemon to point to spot without hesitation.

Karol Swiderski took responsibility for converting it in the 33rd minute by sending Stuver wrong way and slotting into right side netting for equalizer.

Austin showed some danger signs before halftime but most of it passed uneventfully as teams entered locker rooms tied at one each.

Just twenty seconds into second half Swiderski missed an open goal after intercepting Hector Jimenez's back pass meant for goalkeeper Brad Stuver which hit crossbar instead going inside net.

Austin nearly scored from corner kick soon after but header flashed above Kahlina’s bar.

Minutes later Swiderski had another excellent chance via Ashley Westwood’s one-time cross which Stuver saved with quick reflexes.

Finally at 56th minute Brandt Bronico won throw-in quickly taken by Westwood inside box who crossed short towards Tavares scoring calmly past Stuver putting Charlotte ahead again mimicking previous Columbus connection between two players.

Josh Wolff responded immediately substituting Owen Wolff replacing Bakari while Jon Gallagher replaced Jimenez alongwith Mikkel Desler debuting replacing other summer signing making triple change aiming turnaround fortunes

Tavares almost scored again three minutes later cutting inside from Kerwin Vargas' cross only denied once more by sharp save from vigilant Stuver

Dean Smith responded bringing Patrick Agyemang replacing Swiderski followed shortly thereafter Tyger Smalls Brecht Dejaegere substituted wings duo Vargas-Tavares respectively ensuring fresh legs maintain pressure throughout match duration

Despite this momentum shifted favorably towards hosts dominating possession during prolonged spells creating several opportunities ultimately culminating equalizing effort breaking through defense courtesy Diego Rubio whose ground-level pass found Gallagher smashing home point-blank range restoring parity late stages contest

Smith tried finding winner introducing Ben Bender substituting Bronico Dejaegere almost succeeded immediately following suit shooting narrowly missing target having been set-up Smalls shortly after entering fray

Byrne attempted curling shot cleared set-piece landing atop box failing trouble keeper significantly last meaningful action regular time elapsed nearing stoppage period approaching end game scenario unfolding rapidly

Agyemang wasted golden opportunity setting-up unmarked Bender misplaced pass intercepted alertly anticipating intentions foiling promising move ensuring scoreline remained unchanged

Privett crucial defensive interventions twice stoppage-time firstly blocking Wolff’s shot maintaining composure preventing clear-cut opportunity secondly dispossessing Rubio averting potential disaster securing valuable away draw concluding encounter positively overall perspective

Enduring challenging away stretch securing commendable five nine possible points focus shifts upcoming Leagues Cup competition pitting MLS Liga MX teams against each other World Cup-style format vying prestigious trophy enhancing stature respective clubs involved tournament