CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte FC was set to host Chicago Fire FC in the Queen City on Saturday after a 3-0 shutout win against DC United just days before. But the black and blue found out that Chicago brought the heat to the home pitch, notching in a 3-2 win against Charlotte FC.
Yordy Reyna started the scoring early about a minute into play, giving Charlotte an early advantage. Chicago's Kacper Przybylko found the net 20 minutes later, tying it up. Just three minutes later, Federico Navarro scored, giving Chicago a 2-1 advantage well before halftime.
But Charlotte kicked back. Karol Swiderski hit the net at 45 minutes in, tying up the score again with two points for each team before break. It wouldn't be long before Chicago Fire FC answered, however; Przybylko found the net again at 52 minutes of play. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Charlotte FC was unable to answer Chicago's third goal. In the end, Chicago Fire heads back to the Second City the winner of this first meeting.
Charlotte is now 9-13-2 against Eastern Conference opponents and 4-8 in one-goal matches.
The Fire is 8-10-6 against Eastern Conference opponents and 3-0-1 when they score at least three goals.
Chicago outshot Charlotte 14-12 with an 8-5 edge in shots on goal. Gaga Slonina had three saves for the Fire, while Kristijan Kahlina stopped five shots for Charlotte.
Up next, Charlotte heads to the West Coast to face Los Angeles FC on Saturday, August 13. They'll head to the other side of the country the following Wednesday to take on New York City FC at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. Charlotte and Chicago won't meet again until Sept. 17, when the black and blue take a trip to the Second City and take the Fire on their home pitch.
Earlier this week, Charlotte FC hosted its rematch against DC United. This time, the black and blue blocked out United from a win.
The scoring started early for Charlotte, albeit with a member of the opposing team accidentally finding the net for them.
United defender and team captain Steve Birnbaum got a bit too close to his own goal during a Charlotte drive, inadvertently knocking the ball in and granting Charlotte FC a point 13 minutes into the match.
The next two goals would be scored well after the half. Karol Swiderski found the net at 64 minutes, while Quinn McNeill did so three minutes later. Even into stoppage time, DC United could not answer Charlotte FC, and the black and blue got their revenge at 3-0.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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