CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It's official. Charlotte FC is going to the 2024 MLS playoffs.
The black and blue punched their ticket into the postseason Wednesday during a home match against Chicago Fire FC. Charlotte got the scoring started early at Bank of America Stadium; striker Karol Świderski found the net just eight minutes in with an assist from midfielder Pep Biel. But Chicago midfielder Fabian Herbers answered at the 25-minute mark, kicking it in to tie up the match.
Júnior Urso had a response for that. Just five minutes later and with an assist from Biel, the midfielder kicked in to give Charlotte a 2-1 advantage. Roughly 15 minutes later, Świderski found the net again, this time with assistance from wing back Nathan Byrne.
Right after halftime, midfielder Liel Abada widened the scoring gap even more for the black and blue. With help from Świderski, Abada found the net to make the score 4-1 for Charlotte at the 58-minute mark.
But the visitors from the Second City still had fire in them. Chicago midfielder Kellyn Acosta kicked it in with an assist from fellow midfielder Federico Navarro to make the score 4-2. Then in stoppage time, striker Tom Barlow got an assist from winger Chris M. Mueller to add another point to Chicago's tally.
Still, the late-match rally wasn't enough to bring the match to a draw. Charlotte FC walked off the pitch with a 4-3 win and a guarantee to host at least one home playoff match.
Charlotte is home again on Saturday, Oct. 5, for Fan Appreciation Night against Montréal CF. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.