TORONTO, ON — Charlotte FC started the 2024 season strong with a win. Then the next match ended in a draw.
This time, the black and blue fell, with the only goal of the match going to Toronto FC.
Charlotte was in Canada for this road match, which saw neither team get a goal in the first half. While a goal nearly materialized for Charlotte early on, the most notable action that happened was a yellow card for Toronto winger Lorenzo Insigne 27 minutes in. At the 60-minute mark, Kerwin Vargas with Charlotte also drew a yellow card. Minutes later, Toronto center-back Sigurd Rosted drew one too.
It wouldn't be until the 80-minute mark - very late in the match - that the ball would hit the net. Insigne kicked it in for Toronto, giving them the only point of the match.
The black and blue didn't have an answer for it. Midfielders Scotty Arfield and Brecht Dejaegere both were yellow carded soon after Insigne's goal. Nikola Petkovic, a midfielder signed on to Charlotte in February after playing with Crown Legacy FC, was brought in for his Major League Soccer debut in the final minutes.
But even as the clock ticked on into stoppage time, the only thing any player from Charlotte FC could do was draw one last yellow card: goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
Charlotte is back stateside for yet another road match on Saturday, March 16, this time against Nashville SC. Nashville has two draws so far this season, but no wins or losses. Charlotte is currently ranked eighth in the league, while Nashville is tenth.