Week 9 Game Preview: Charlotte v San Diego
Tomorrow night, Charlotte FC looks to keep their unbeaten home streak alive as they welcome San Diego FC to the Fortress for a 7:30 pm kickoff. Looking at the table this appears to be an important match for both teams and an entertaining one for neutrals. Charlotte currently sits in second place in the east with 16 points and a plus six goal difference, giving them the edge over third place Cincinnati, also with 16 points. San Diego is currently third in the west on 14 points and a goal difference equal to the Crown.
Midfielder Pep Biel has been on fire this season and leads the league in assists. Right on his heels is San Diego forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. Only one assist separates the two, Biel with five and Lozano with four. Coach Smith revealed that two players could be back on the pitch this weekend. According to TopBin90 on instagram, both Wilfried Zaha and Tim Ream are trending towards being ready for the match. However, one player who has been a constant in the Charlotte backline could be missing from action tomorrow night. Right back Nathan Byrne is dealing with some neck soreness according to Coach Smith. Byrne has started in all eight games so far this season and logged 720 minutes. If he is unable to go, it will definitely be a big blow to the Crowns defense.
Charlotte’s Round of 32 opponent for the U.S. Open Cup was announced by the club. It’s a showdown in the Tarheel State on Tuesday, May 6th as the boys will travel to Cary for a 7:00 pm showdown against North Carolina FC. This will be the second time the two clubs have met this year with NCFC winning 1-0 during a preseason friendly which took place on February 4th. Charlotte may be a bit fatigued coming into the match as they travel from Ohio after a regular season showdown with Columbus on the third before hitting the road again for a date in Nashville on the tenth. I’m looking forward to the match and to see which club from the Old North State advances in the tournament.
Getting back to the San Diego match it’s time for my prediction. With Pep Biel looking like a dark horse MVP candidate, I think he continues his stellar form and Charlotte captures three points and keeps the unbeaten home streak alive. I think San Diego opens the scoring early in the match with Luca de la Torre puts one past Kristijan Kahlina to grab his third goal of the season. However, the boys from the Queen City equalize as Biel adds another assist as Liel Abada nets his second goal of the season. Both teams go into the break even at 1-1 before Toklomati comes on for Agyemang around the 60th minute and creates more magic to put the Crown up 2-1. Kahlina and the defense hold firm and when the final whistle blows Charlotte earns three points after a hard fought match.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm and this is the first of a two game homestand for the boys. After San Diego comes to town Charlotte welcomes New England for a 7:30 pm kickoff on the 26th.