Charlotte Clinches US Open Cup Victory in Extra Time!
Charlotte stormed to a dramatic 4-1 victory over North Carolina in the US Open Cup Round of 32, a nail-biting affair that went all the way to extra time at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The first half was pretty even, with both sides creating chances but failing to find the back of the net. Charlotte had a couple of key moments where they dominated possession, but North Carolina stood their ground.
The second half was still a back-and-forth battle, though Charlotte started to show their mettle as the match ticked on. Then, in extra time, the game exploded! Charlotte's K. Vargas and K.A. Calderon Vargas scored, followed by N. Petković and P. Agyemang to put them firmly in the driver's seat. North Carolina managed to pull one back with a goal in the final minutes of extra time by Rafa Mentzingen, but it wasn't enough.
Charlotte's approach seemed to be to gradually increase the intensity as the game went on, and their substitutions played a key part in their attacking strategy toward the end of the match, providing fresher legs and a crucial tactical shift. North Carolina initially employed a more conservative approach, but their substitutions unfortunately didn't have the same impact.
The crowd was absolutely electric throughout the game, and the dramatic extra time finish had everyone on the edge of their seats. This US Open Cup victory is a massive boost for Charlotte, and they'll look to carry this momentum into their next match.
Manager
Starting 11
Substitutes
19.6°C (67.2°F)
Feels like 19.6°C (67.2°F)
Clear
Wind
14.4 km/h WNW
Humidity
70%
Time
11:00 PM
Condition
Clear