CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte FC was back at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday for another home match. Last week, they were able to leave the match against the New York Red Bulls with a draw.
This week, league rivals Atlanta United came to town from up I-85. And the score did stay level at 0-0 for most of it.
The operative word there was "most". And unfortunately for the black and blue, the knot didn't get untied in their favor.
The first half of the match didn't have much action. Atlanta defender Stian Rode Gregersen got handed a yellow card, while Charlotte goalie Kristijan Kahlina maintained a sturdy defense.
It was after the break that things went back down the interstate for Charlotte.
Ajani Fortune, a midfielder for Atlanta, found the net at the 55-minute mark, getting an assist from winger Xande Silva. While Atlanta was up, Charlotte FC still had time to respond.
But time ticked on from 55 minutes to 90 minutes, and even six minutes of stoppage time to boot. The black and blue were unable to muster an answer, leaving the match 0-1 and down three MLS league standing points.
The rivalry match between Charlotte and Atlanta is special because of the connection both teams have through Anton Walkes, a defender who played for Atlanta prior to joining Charlotte. Walker tragically died at just 25 years old after a boating accident in 2023. Fans for both teams memorialized him from minute four to minute five on the game clock by pausing drums and chants, applauding for a minute straight to honor his time om both teams. Walkes' number with Atlanta was #4, and with Charlotte was #5.
The black and blue have a week off before their next match on Sept. 14. They'll head up north to Canada to face CF Montreal. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
Montreal currently dominates the historical record against Charlotte, with three wins against the black and blue and a draw.