10%

PLAYOFFS BOUND

The Decision Day Magic

By Charlotte FC

October 24^th, 2023

THE START OF THE NIGHT

MLS Decision Day. Playoffs. Lionel Messi. A crowd of 66,101 fans. A must-win match.

Charlotte FC's regular season finale had all the ingredients for an unforgettable regular season finale, and it certainly lived up to the anticipation.

With everything at stake at a boisterous Bank of America Stadium, the atmosphere was charged with pressure, nerves, and excitement well before the first whistle. Everyone knew what was at stake, but The Crown were fighting for more than just playoffs – they were fighting for Anton.

FOR ANTON

In a touching moment, CLTFC Captain Ashley Westwood walked onto the field alongside Anton Walkes's daughter, Ayla. Walkes tragically passed away during preseason, and as a tribute, the team has been wearing patches on their jerseys in his honor. Ayla's presence on the field served as a powerful reminder to the team that they were playing not just for themselves or the fans, but to honor the enduring impact Walkes had on the organization.

“It provided me with extra motivation,” reflected CLTFC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina about the moment he laid eyes on Ayla just before stepping onto the pitch. “Seeing a family member out there makes it different. You think about how she must be feeling and how significant this moment is for her. It empowers me to give my all.” The moment the first whistle blew, it was evident that the entire team shared this sentiment.

There was a fire that permeated throughout the entire team, and would not be extinguished for the next 90 minutes.

THE MATCH

The boys in blue came to play.

Right from the first minute, they relentlessly pressed Inter Miami, leaving no room for the opposition to settle comfortably in their home territory. Inter Miami quickly found themselves in a hostile environment.

Charlotte's relentless efforts paid off early when they capitalized on a transition, managing to play the ball out wide to winger Kamil Jóźwiak. Initially aiming for a cross into the box, Jóźwiak's attempt was blocked, but the ball fortunately rebounded back to him, and he then located Kerwin Vargas on the opposite side of the box Miami's penalty box.

Vargas cleverly deceived his defender with a feigned first-time shot, smoothly shifting to his left foot, and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, giving Charlotte the lead just 13 minutes into the match. It was an exceptional goal, followed by Vargas's exceptional signature backflip celebration to the delight of the roaring crowd.

“It was incredible... the fans never failed us all season, always showing up to support us. To score a goal in front of crowd like that, there are no words to describe it.”

While Charlotte showcased some impressive offensive sequences, their defensive organization and resilience were even more noteworthy. Every CLTFC player was committed to hustling back and applying pressure on the ball.

Left back Jere Uronen faced the daunting task of limiting Messi's impact on the match but was unfazed by the challenge. Every time Messi received the ball, there Uronen would be. The Finn played one of the best matches of his career, winning every one of his duels on the night.

Of course, defense is a collective effort, and every player had a role to play.

Hometown favorite Brandt Bronico was a ubiquitous presence on the pitch and particularly made life difficult for Miami's deep-lying playmaker, Sergio Busquets, throughout the game. Charlotte's substitutes picked up where the starters left off, with Brecht Dejaegere hustling on defense, and Scott Arfield making a crucial, potentially game-saving block in the final minutes of the match.

However, the hero of the night will forever be remembered as Kristijan Kahlina, who made two crucial saves in extra time, one of which was a fingertip stop that could contend for the MLS Save of the Year. Kahlina's heroics propelled his team to the playoffs for the first time in their history.

“Kahlina came good with the good at the end, everybody I think saw the header go in, but he made an unbelievable save,” praised Lattanzio. “But we know that in those circumstances Kristijan Kahlina is one of the top keepers on this league.”

With a lone goal and a near-flawless defensive performance, Charlotte secured a historic victory over Miami, booking their place in the 2023 MLS Playoffs.

History Made

When the final whistle sounded, Bank of America Stadium roared with jubilation.

For a brief moment, players anxiously awaited the outcomes of other matches... but their hopes were ultimately fulfilled. Once they received the news on the field, unbridled joy overcame them. With gleaming smiles, players embraced one another and celebrated this momentous achievement with the fans.

“It was an incredible moment, I'm very proud of our boys. I’m very happy for the city... I saw a lot of support for our boys. I’m delighted for the boys because I know how hard they work. Very, very happy for everybody at the Club and our supporters.”

- Christian Lattanzio

The regular season was a grueling journey filled with its share of highs and lows, both physically and mentally demanding for the team. However, when it truly mattered, they rose to the occasion and delivered a historic victory for the city and its loyal supporters. When Lattanzio was asked to sum up the regular season in a single phrase, he echoed the sentiment that Captain Ashley Westwood had lauded the team for after the match.

“STICKING TOGETHER.”

Footnotes

Photos by Taylor Banner, Alana McCallion, Elizabeth Otten, Laura Wolf, Blue Amber & Allie Lawhon. Video by Ian Kunsey, Alex Warrington, Ryan Luparello, Marco Yanez & Ben Grijalva. Story by Caleb Adams & edited by Shannon Kingston.

Button Label

FootNotes

Story Told With

Start publishing stories like this