LAFC got a goal from the player considered to be its prime Summer acquisition, Mario Gonzalez. Charlotte however had just a little more in them. Goals from Karol Swiderski and Scott Arfield canceled out Gonzalez’s equalizer, and Charlotte pulled off a massive upset of Western-Conference-second-place LAFC, 2-1, at Bank of America Stadium.
Charlotte struck first in the 29th minute. Brecht Dejaegere played Karol Swiderski towards the endline, Swiderski then crossed into the penalty area and Westwood one-timed a ball past keeper John McCarthy far post to give Charlotte the lead. Charlotte took the lead into the second half, and actually had a chance to build on the lead in the 61st minute, as Jaylin Lindsey headed a Dejaegere cross towards goal, only to see the shot hit off the crossbar.
LAFC had been buzzing around Charlotte’s net throughout the match. LAFC actually had found the back of the net back in the 26th minute, as Mario Gonzalez sent a ball forward that Denis Bouanga chased down and slotted the shot past keeper Kristijan Kahlina. The goal however was called back, as Bouanga was in an offside position when Gonzalez sent the ball forward. LAFC’s other chance came early in the second half, as Mateusz Bogush worked a one-two with Bouanga that freed up Bogusz for a shot on goal, but but Kahlina made the save.
LAFC eventually caught Charlotte in the 67th minute. Cristian Olivera sprung Bouanga down the right side, Bouanga then played Gonzalez into the penalty area, Kahlina came off his line, but Gonzalez beat him to the ball, then sent the shot into the open net to level the match. Charlotte however had one more goal in them, and it came in the 77th minute. Swiderski shot a right-footed howler at the top of the penalty area, McCarthy made the stop, but left a rebound chance inside the box and Arfield capitalized, as he chased the ball down and slotted the shot past McCarthy for what eventually became the winning goal.
LAFC will have a little time to reflect on the match. However, LAFC cannot be thinking too far behind, as its next opponent will be Lionel Messi and a red-hot Inter Miami squad.
