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Charlotte FC 1-0 Inter Miami player ratings – it was a must win game for The Crown, playing in front of over 60,000 fans in Queen City. However, a certain Lionel Messi was aiming to spoil the party in his first MLS in just over a month.
It was a totally different game to Wednesday night, Christian Lattanzio had his team sit deep and allow Inter Miami more possession. The home side went ahead, when Colombian winger Kerwin Vargas notched his second goal in as many games to get fans on their feet.
A tactical switch at halftime saw Diego Gómez and Benjamin Cremaschi operate better, but the travelling team still couldn’t find a break through. In a frantic finale Charlotte FC managed to hold on, Kahlina avoiding a late equaliser which had scuppered their chances in South Florida.
Charlotte FC 1-0 Inter Miami Player Ratings
Contents
Match Timeline
2′ – Campana turns it in the net but Benjamin Cremaschi was just offside before he played the cross
4′ – Ashley Westwood seemed inspired by England vs Springboks, booked for hauling down Gregore
13′ – (Goal) Kerwin Vargas torments Inter Miami again like on Wednesday, cute left foot shot into side netting
18′ – Gregore in the book for a trip on Copetti
24′ – Late lunge on Diego Gómez earns Adilson Malanda a yellow card
45+2′ – Privett’s potshot is saved, Campana has a go at the other end from distance as halftime approaches
49′ – Lionel Messi zips onto Gómez’s through ball and scoops it over Kahlina, but flagged offside
62′ – Messi smashes a freekick from a tight angle, pushed onto the bar
72′ – CJ dos Santos keeps the visitors in it, save from Świderski
90′ – Kahlina with a stunning fingertip save from Campana’s header
92′ – Confusion in the Charlotte penalty area as Arroyo and Robinson can’t equalise
Star Man – Kristijan Kahlina – 8/10
The Croatian goalkeeper didn’t have much to do until the final stages of the match, but when he was called upon he made the defining saves.
Charlotte FC have thrown away more late goals than any other team in the MLS, and that seemed to play on everybody’s mind except for the stopper.
Kahlina’s fantastic fingertip save from Campana was followed up by a nearpost block with the foot, and then a final save inside the box to deny the away team.
Kristijan Kahlina with two insane saves late!@CharlotteFC clinches their first-ever Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs spot. pic.twitter.com/0nGofrBim5
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 22, 2023
Charlotte FC Player Ratings
Kristijan Kahlina 8/10 – made it count when it mattered, four saves in the match
Nathan Byrne 7/10 – important tackles, won his duels
Adilson Malanda 6.5/10 – improved on last game, good ball progression
Andrew Privett 6.5/10 – great passing, untroubled
Jere Uronen 7/10 – Outstanding on left, teaming up with Vargas
Brandt Bronico 7/10 – Unstoppable energy
Ashley Westwood 7/10 – Premier League pedigree showed through
Kerwin Vargas – 7.5/10 – had Yedlin’s number again, important goal
Kamil Józwiak 7/10 – one assist, good penetration down right flank
Karol Świderski 7/10 – built on from substitute appearance in last game
Enzo Copetti 7/10 – plenty of hustle and bustle
Substitutes
Justin Meram 6/10 – filled in well
Brecht Dejaegere 6.5/10 – didn’t miss a pass
Scott Arfield – N/A
Derrick Jones – N/A
Inter Miami Player Ratings
CJ dos Santos 6/10 – nervy debut, but big save in second half
DeAndre Yedlin 6/10 – tough evening again, will benefit from rest
Tomás Avilés 6/10 – fought hard with Copetti
Kamal Miller 6/10 – strange positioning, looked uncomfortable on ground but strong in air
Noah Allen 6.5/10 – stuck to task well
Gregore 6.5/10 – improved from Wednesday
Sergio Busquets 7.5/10 – key man in recycling the ball, excellent in recovering it too
Diego Gómez 6/10 – good touches in unfamiliar role, missed good chance
Benjamin Cremaschi 6/10 – off the pace
Lionel Messi 7/10 – didn’t have enough magic dust left to pull off a comeback win
Leonardo Campana 6.5/10 – good hold up play
Substitutes
Jordi Alba 6.5/10 – Immediate impact, great cross to Campana
Robbie Robinson N/A
Dixon Arroyo N/A
Charlotte FC 1-0 Inter Miami Player Ratings: The final word
The hosts played their role in the Eastern Conference Decision Day drama, by winning the final game of the season. Results in the rest of the division went their way, and they made the Playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
It was well-deserved after Ashley Westwood and Brandt Bronico outplayed Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, in an excellent display. How far can The Crown go? Much will depend on the form of South American stars Enzo Copetti and Kerwin Vargas who shined tonight.
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