MLS: Struggles Continue as Charlotte FC Picks Up 4th Straight Loss

Alex McCaskey
3 days ago
3 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

It feels like an eternity since Charlotte FC last picked up points against NYCFC on April 18th in a 2-1. At the time, that win put Charlotte in third place, a good spot with three games left in April. Up next on the schedule was Orlando City, a game Charlotte looked to build on the momentum from the NYCFC game. However, Orlando City had other plans. The scoring started early with Orlando taking a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute before Morrison Agyemang tied it up in the 33rd minute. From that point on, it was all Orlando, a goal in the 49th minute to take the lead back and another in the 61st minute to go up 3-1. Orlando found the back of the net in the 87th minute to put the final score at 4-1.

The stats tell a different story, however. Charlotte outshot Orlando 16-12 while controlling possession 53% of the match. The big difference was in the shots, Orlando had six shots on target to Charlotte's five. Orlando's defense blocked five shots compared to Charlotte's one. At the end of the day, Orlando capitalized on their shots where Charlotte couldn’t.

Dropping one game isn’t the end of the world but the next game wouldn’t be easy as Charlotte traveled to Nashville to take on the red hot Nashville SC. Nashville came out fast, going 2-0 up by the 25th minute. However, the game wasn't over until the final whistle and Morrison Agyemang was able to get The Crown on the board in the 42nd minute. Coming out of the half, Nashville put another one in the net to go up 3-1 in the 60th minute but Pep Biel wouldn’t be denied as he made the score 3-2 with a goal in the 68th minute. However, it was too little too late as Nashville put the nail in the coffin with a fourth goal in the 74th minute. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 4-2 in favor of Nashville. The stats were not kind to Charlotte, so let’s get into it. Nashville dominated possession, controlling the ball for 60% of the match. Nashville also outshot Charlotte 14-7 while Nashville had as many shots on goal as Charlotte had in the entire match. You can’t expect to win when you get outplayed like that and to challenge in the east you have to challenge the other teams at the top.

Let’s take a break from MLS action as Charlotte hosted Atlanta United Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup. Now this loss isn’t like the others because teams will often use the USOC to test lineups, strategies among other things. I’ll keep this one short, Atlanta won 2-0 with goals in the 22nd and 71st minute. The stats favored Atlanta with Atlanta having two shots with both on goal while Charlotte did not register any shots. A disappointing end to Charlotte's USOC run.

Now, back to MLS action with Charlotte on the road to take on New England. The game looked like it was going to end in a 0-0 draw until New England converted a penalty in extra time to give them a 1-0 win and three points. The stats favored New England with the Revs controlling possession for 57% of the match and outshooting Charlotte 15-7. The shots on goal were close with New England getting the edge 4-3. A disappointing loss and a close chance that slipped away at the end.

Charlotte has a chance to rebound after this tough run of form on May 9th as they take on FC Cincinnati. Will the slide continue or will the boys from the 704 right the ship before it’s too late?