Charlotte FC’s Stock Up, Stock Down: Charlotte FC records second consecutive 4-0 win, defeating Orlando City SC
By Billy McGee - @iambillymcgee
The Crown avenged their previous late-season struggles against Orlando City SC with a dominant 4-0 win. After an early goal in the first on a Henry Kessler header from a set piece, Charlotte went into the half up 1-0 before adding three more in the second half.
Here’s our Stock Up, Stock Down for Charlotte’s dominant win over Orlando City SC.
Stock Up
Kristijan Kahlina - Charlotte FC’s goalkeeper has made a number of impressive plays over the previous weeks, but a combination of underwhelming defensive play and a high volume of shots faced kept him from truly getting the praise he deserves. Now he has kept back-to-back clean sheets, becoming just the seventh keeper in MLS history to record 150 saves in a season and the first since 2004. Against Orlando, he made eight saves, six of which were from shots inside the box.
Ashley Westwood - The Charlotte FC captain conducted a clinic on dead-ball deliveries against Orlando, assisting the first goal from a free kick and taking a couple of corner kicks that were sent in with accuracy. Although he was subbed off in the 68th minute, he still led the match with three chances created. With his minutes being managed due to Achilles soreness, he continues to provide consistent and reliable play.
Home form - After going 1-1-1 in their three home games since the start of September, prior to the midweek win against Montréal, Charlotte now has back-to-back wins by a large margin to end their home regular season slate. These were the exact type of performances they needed at home to carry momentum into the playoffs after their final game on the road against Inter Miami next week.
Henry Kessler - Kessler got on the end of an Ashley Westwood free kick early for his third goal in all competitions this season. Outside of the goal, he played sound defensively, winning 3/4 duels, recording a tackle, and making five clearances. Kessler’s distribution was good as well, going 56/59 on accurate passes and 1/2 on accurate long balls.
Rodolfo Aloko - Aloko came on as a sub in the 75th for Liel Abada and scored a goal as well as earning a penalty that Maxi took. He came on and provided extra energy and a spark to Charlotte’s attack late in the match. His and Abada’s recent performances show that they can provide Charlotte with good wing play opposite of their star player, Maxi.
Stock Down
Allan Saint-Maximin - The DP winger wouldn’t be in this list if his game ended in the 80th minute, but the 29-year-old Frenchman missed a penalty in the 84th minute and received a red card in the 89th minute, meaning he will miss at least the next game as Charlotte FC are fighting for a top four spot in the Eastern Conference on the final day of the season.
