After a last gasp comeback saw the Columbus Crew steal a point away from Inter Miami CF in the opening match of the Carolina Challenge Cup, the Black & Gold returned to action Tuesday evening as they faced off against newly minted expansion side Charlotte FC in what would be a spirited 0-0 draw.
Spirited First Half
Columbus came out of the kickoff pressing early, forcing Charlotte to concede an early corner kick. Just 90 seconds into the match on the ensuing corner, Chris Hegardt saw a yellow card for upending Luis Diaz giving the Crew a free kick.
The Crew almost opened the scoring about six minutes in the first half after Zardes was able to steal the ball away from the Charlotte goalkeeper, but couldn’t find a trailing runner inside of the penalty area as his pass slid across the face of goal.
Tempers started to flare in the 30th minute after Yordy Reyna took down Alex Matan of the Crew. A small pushing and shoving crowd then turned into bench clearing shoving matches between both teams, essentially resulting in cards for both teams benches and three cards during the initial scuffle.
Aidan Morris almost got the opening goal in the 41st minute when his attempt went just wide of the net.
Columbus and Charlotte had a couple chances to end the half scoreless in a “spirited” first half.
Columbus come out swinging
The Crew were given an opportunity to break the ice with a free kick just outside the 18-yard box after Harrison Afful fouled Will Sands just a few minutes into the second half.
Columbus got their rhythm back as the second half went along, continuing to high press the Charlotte keeper and backline, forcing the newly minted expansion side to play out of the back.
Zardes came close to giving the Crew the lead after James Igbekeme played a nice through ball to the forward, who was able to dance around two defenders but his attempt was just wide of the frame.
Charlotte, who had chances created but couldn’t capitalize could have snuck away with a goal and three points in the 88th minute, but the attemt was stuffed by the Crew backline, and the follow through went high over the crossbar.
Both teams would play to a 0-0 draw, gaining a point each. Columbus will play hosts Charleston Battery Friday. You can watch the match on the club’s official site. Charlotte will play Inter Miami CF Saturday to round out the 2022 Breeze Airways Carolina Challenge Cup.
