April 2, 2022
Chester, PA
Saturday evening marked Charlotte FC’s inaugural trip to Subaru Park to face off against the Philadelphia Union. Charlotte had plenty of possession (59% to the Union’s 41%), but was unable to do much of anything with it. Philadelphia, by contrast, was able to control the tempo of the game and to capitalize on Charlotte’s mistakes.
And, it didn’t take long for the capitalization to materialize. At the 4th minute, Philadelphia’s Kai Wagner directed a well- placed long ball that allowed the speedy Sergio Santos to get behind Charlotte’s defenders. Santos, credited with the assist, crossed to Julián Carranza who dropped the ball to the left of Charlotte’s keeper, Kristijan Kahlina. This was Carranza’s first goal as a member of the Philadelphia Union.
Philadelphia’s second score occurred at the 46th minute. Kahlina was off of his line and, presumably intending to pass to his defenders, directed the ball squarely at the feet of Dániel Gazdag. Gazdag, who has settled in well to the Union’s formation, easily scored into the empty net. Gazdag had at least one other near miss on goal.
Santos’s deep run and flat pass resulted in Carranza’s first goal for Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s Jakob Glesnes defending Charlotte’s Karol Swiderski.
Philadelphia’s Jack Elliott maneuvering the ball past Swiderski.
Wagner stopping the attack of Charlotte’s Jaylin Lindsey.
This is Gazdag’s goal, which he shot into the open Charlotte net.
Charlotte’s Christian Fuchs perfecting his half nelson hold on Quinn Sullivan.
Philadelphia’s Nate Harriel preparing to launch one of his patented crosses in front of goal.
Philadelphia’s Cory Burke driving the ball past Charlotte’s Fuchs.
Gazdag very nearly added another to his tally, but the ball went wide of the goal.
Carranza seems comfortable his striking role for the Union.
Philadelphia Union
Charlotte FC
