Charlotte FC kept their momentum high as the season nears its end, silencing the Lions and beating Orlando City SC 4-0 on Saturday, October 31, at Bank of America Stadium.
“I felt comfortable throughout the game,” Head Coach Dean Smith said. “When I'm standing on the sideline feeling comfortable, it's a pleasing thing for us. Two 4-0 wins at home in the week to bounce back from the battles on the travels. Really, really good performance from the lads today."
One of the keys to the match for Head Coach Dean Smith was to start fast. After a save from Kristijan Kahlina to deny Orlando City their early lead, Charlotte FC put themselves on the board.
Allan Saint-Maximin was fouled on the left wing following The Crown’s counterattack, setting up a free kick just outside of the box. Ashley Westwood kicked the ball with a precise measure, floating over the heads of multiple jumping Charlotte FC and Orlando City players before Henry Kessler rose up the rest and headed the ball in.
Kessler sprinted to the corner flag after scoring his second goal of the season and giving The Crown an early 1-0 lead, as the Gaffer wanted.
“There's no thoughts at that point, which is like the best when you're not thinking during the game,” Kessler said. “It's just like you're kind of reacting or anticipating. It's so much better when you're not thinking about things. So, that's the goal for me. That's how it was in my head.”
Charlotte FC continue to utilize attacks from the wings with corners, crosses and free kicks. Idan Toklomati was the target man on the majority of them but couldn’t put a strong enough head on the ball to put it past the keeper.
In the 37th minute, Liel Abada was the target of an immaculate cross from Maxi that curved through the air to the Israeli winger’s head, but Abada mistimed the jump and the chance went away. Five minutes later, on a Pep Biel corner, the ball bounced to the top of the box to Westwood, who volleyed the ball with a thunder-strike, only for the shot to go just left of the goal.
Orlando had their fair shot of chances, albeit The Fortress defense from The Crown kept the shots from outside the box, making them easier for Kahlina to save. The Lions had their best chance in the 41st minute from a corner when Iago’s shot was saved by Kahlina against the right post.
Maxi doubled Charlotte FC’s lead in the 49th minute, again giving The Crown the quick start that Smith wanted and doing so in both halves.
The French winger utilized Orlando’s defense sinking in to try and contain his shooting ability. He received the ball at midfield before dribbling all the way into the box unchecked and shooting to the bottom left corner of the goal. It was Maxi’s second goal for The Crown and his first at home.
Orlando started pushing for a goal to get back into the match, but they failed to seriously challenge Kahlina, who made seven saves in the match.
“I think his best save was the one where it was offside, so it doesn't actually count in stats where the lad just flicked it and he's made a good save out to the right,” Smith said. “Again, it's because of his status and what I think of (Kristijan Kahlina) as a goalkeeper, the other ones I expected him to make."
Charlotte FC was still pushing for a third goal to make sure they truly buried Orlando City on Halloween, and no ghosts could rise from the dead. Biel had a strike from just outside of the box that curled through the air and almost into the net but clipped the crossbar.
While looking for another goal, Smith made some substitutions for fresh legs. Rodolfo Aloko was one of them, coming on for an injured Abada. Abdoulaye Doucouré was another, coming on for Djibril Diani to make his second appearance for Charlotte FC.
Aloko was 1-on-1 with a defender running beside him with The Crown’s best chance to score a third. As he was ready to take the shot, he was taken down and awarded a penalty. Maxi stepped up to the spot, ready to potentially achieve a brace. The goalkeeper saved the shot, but Doucouré was there for the rebound and scored his first goal for The Crown.
“Very happy, very excited with the fans, and I can see I'm already in a good place,” Doucouré said. “They've already showed me so much love already, so I can't wait to give them more on the pitch."
Charlotte FC didn’t stop with the scoring with Aloko scoring one of his own on with a first-touch volley on a pass from Tyger Smalls to make it two consecutive 4-0 victories for The Crown.
“He's bounced back from a tough game the other day and he's a young player, as I've said many times before,” Smith said. “It's not just a gradient that continually goes up. There'll be ups and downs throughout the career and it's always what you do next and I'm pleased to see what he's done next. He's come out, performed well, and got a goal."
Charlotte FC will play their final match of the regular season against Inter Miami CF in an Eastern Conference Decision Day clash on Saturday, November 7 at 4:00 p.m. at Nu Stadium.
“Obviously a very difficult matchup,” Kessler said. “They've got a lot of talented guys and so we'll have to be prepared, but I think it's going to take a team effort.”
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