Charlotte FC’s Stock Up, Stock Down: Charlotte FC comes back from down 2-0 to win their 50th game at Bank of America Stadium
By Billy McGee - @iambillymcgee
It appeared that Charlotte FC was going to drop points for the second game in a row as they trailed FC Dallas 2-0 after 70 minutes, but a late rally earned them all three points in a rain-soaked match. The win is one of the club's more memorable home results as they celebrate 50 wins at the Bank and keep pushing for a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference.
Here’s our Stock Up, Stock Down for Charlotte FC’s improbable win against FC Dallas:
Stock Up
Resilience - Charlotte FC proved that even when down two goals, they are not out of games, as they completed their first comeback to win from down 2-0 since defeating Chicago Fire FC 3-2 in the club’s inaugural season. This season they have not trailed 2-0 since the match against FC Cincinnati on May 9, where they scored two goals early in the second half to come away with a draw. In the post-game pressers, Dean Smith, Harry Toffolo, and Maxi all raved about the “character” of the team to complete the comeback late after things weren’t going their way.
Harry Toffolo - While coming on as a substitute in proper British weather, Toffolo scored his first goal for The Crown. Even after going down 2-0 shortly after he came on, Toffolo played an important part in flipping the script. The fullback was 5/9 on accurate passes, including a pair of passes into the final third in his 30 minutes. He could get the nod to start in the future as he has worked his way back from injury into match fitness. “This is the best I’ve felt coming out of any of my injuries I’ve had,” said Toffolo after the game. With all four fullbacks healthy, they could be very important for the remainder of the season.
Rodolfo Aloko - After a successful international break with Benin that saw him score a brace against Mauritania, the 19-year-old winger replaced Liel Abada as a substitute in the 69th minute and helped open up space for Maxi. “I thought Rodolfo came on and showed pace and power and skill and quality,” said Dean Smith in his post-game press conference. Aloko completed the joint-most dribbles, going 3/3 and having four touches in the box. Aloko seems to be coming into his own and playing with confidence right when Charlotte can use him most.
Idan Toklomati - After a lackluster start to the season, Toklomati is hitting his stride down the stretch, scoring a brace against FC Dallas to bring his season goal total to 11, six of which have come in his last eight matches for Charlotte. The 22-year-old striker has been getting on the end of crosses and passes into the box and scoring from inside the six-yard box. “He’s become more of a fox in the box now, which is important,” said Dean Smith. “I like a center forward that scores from two, three yards out. With the rhythm that Idan and the attack as a whole are in, the goals should continue to pour in and help potentially push Charlotte FC into a top four position in the conference.
Pep Biel - Biel bounced back from a slow first half to be a difference maker in the second half. The attacking midfielder completed the joint-most dribbles alongside Aloko and created the most chances. He recorded his eighth assist of the season on the game-winning goal and took the corner kick that led to Toffolo’s equalizer. With the attack clicking and on the same page, the goal contributions should keep rolling in for Biel.
Stock Down
Byrne and Morrison right side - With Ream suspended, Morrison started as the right-sided center back with Nathan Byrne as the right back next to him. Both FC Dallas goals happened with Morrison and Byrne as the nearest defenders; although both were not the fault of the two, it appeared that they were not on the same page, which allowed more space for FC Dallas to exploit. Shortly after the second goal, Byrne came off after not being much of a possession factor. Byrne’s replacement, Will Cleary, helped change the game while in possession, making the same number of passes into the final third in his short appearance as Byrne did in 69 minutes.
David Schnegg - Schnegg came off as one of the first two subs after an unimpressive performance that saw him create just one chance and go 25/36 on accurate passes, 0/2 on accurate crosses, and 2/6 on accurate long balls. As previously mentioned, Toffolo has worked his way back from injury, which could impact how many minutes Schnegg will get and possibly see him lose his starting spot.
