Charlotte FC advances to Leagues Cup Round of 16

PHOTO | TROY HULL

Kristijan Kahlina saved three penalty kicks for Charlotte FC in their 4-3 shootout win against Cruz Azul Thursday in the Leagues Cup Round of 32. The sides deadlocked at 0-0 in full time.

Charlotte FC is undefeated in Frisco, Texas this summer with at least one more game left to play in the Lone Star State.

In two matches to date, the Crown has scrapped to two penalty kick shootout wins in Leagues Cup, the latest a knockout victory over Mexican side Cruz Azul that will send Charlotte to Houston for the Round of 16 on Monday. A win over the Dynamo could bring a potential rematch with Dallas FC, who will play Inter Miami, if both sides win. That quarterfinal game would be played Aug. 11 or 12.

There’s no place like home… literally

No matter how much they win against Liga MX and MLS foes in this competition, there is little chance Charlotte will play again at home as they can’t beat a pre-existing Bank of America Stadium schedule that has Beyoncé, high school football and the Carolina Panthers in the building on or around the Leagues Cup dates. The match against Cruz Azul was technically a home game for Charlotte but was pre-empted by the Panthers Fan Fest and set-up necessary for the Queen Bey concert on Aug. 9.

With Charlotte having to play a home game 1,000 miles from Bank of America Stadium, there was none of the energy regularly supplied by a fervent supporters’ section and crowds that average around 30,000. Though twice as close to the Mexico border, it wasn’t an away game atmosphere, either.

Not having that true home advantage was a disappointment to Charlotte head coach Christian Lattanzio and the team.

“It's something that we value a lot,” he said. “We love to play for our supporters. Our guys earned the right to do that.

“It makes me proud because to advance is an achievement. We are facing difficulties, but the guys take everything on the chin, and I want to really compliment them publicly regarding their character because this is a group of guys that never complains. They move forward and they're ready for every challenge.”

King Kahlina

The king for the Crown in their Leagues Cup progression has been goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina. The Croatian stopped three Cruz Azul kicks in the shootout, all more difficult in the psychodrama that is the torturous technicality of deciding a match, than the three saves he was credited with making over 90 minutes of regulation.

Cruz Azul outshot Charlotte 11-4, 3-1 on target.

While the Mexican side gave Charlotte plenty of space to operate as did Necaxa in the final group game, where the Crown’s offense was aggressive and lethal with four goals on 10 shots and a very efficient seven on target. The difference was a lack of connection and chemistry in the final third. Charlotte would get the ball downfield but then lose it to errant passes, heavy touches, or getting dispossessed by the opponent.

“I think we were going to good areas, but we were not executing like we normally would do, like we have done against Necaxa with more fluidity,” said Lattanzio. “We were a bit tentative in certain moments. So I think that we have more in us when we have the ball to be a little bit more decisive in the last third. It is almost like we paid too much respect.”
It’s not a game that will be famous in the lore of either side, but it does add to the legend of Kahlina who has.

Starting in 102-degree heat, it always felt like this match would be decided from the penalty spot. Both teams had benefited from the tiebreaker. Charlotte gained an extra point after drawing with Dallas 2-2 in group play; Cruz Azul in their deciding final game against Atlanta after a 1-1 draw.

Unlike the Dallas match where Kahlina blocked the first two Dallas attempts, Charlotte fell behind immediately when Karol Swiderski skied his shot over the bar. Ignacio Rivero scored for Azul and then Ben Bender for Charlotte.

Kahlina then stifled the stutter-stepping Uriel Antuna, Azul’s chief instigator who spent much of the match showing off poor acting skills and looks of incredulity after he was called for obvious fouls, including scything Brandt Bronico, which earned him a caution.

He did the same to Carlos Rotondi after Derrick Jones had scored, putting Charlotte into the pole position. But Ashley Westwood skimmed his low hard shot off the outside of the post to even the score. Jesus Duenas and Carlos Rodriguez then scored for Azul as did Kerwin Vargas for Charlotte to send it to sudden victory. Rookie defender Andrew Privett, who has been playing well in the deep end of the pool as a centerback for the Crown then slotted his shot to set the stage for Kahlina.

“He's a cold guy,” said Lattanzio. “In those moments he’s cold and passionate at the same time. But in those moments, he can be really focused.”

After making two saves diving to his left, Kahlina stood his ground, proving too much for Kevin Castano whose shot down the middle was easily handled, sending Charlotte to the next round.

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