Charlotte FC Forward Brandon Cambridge Named to MLS Team of the Matchday, Jan Sobocinski Named to Bench

Charlotte FC earned their fifth-straight win at home and host Nashville SC on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium.

CHARLOTTE, NC (Monday, May 18, 2023) – Charlotte FC forward Brandon Cambridge earned a spot on the MLS Team of the Matchday after his brace from the bench led the team to a 2-1 victory over visiting Chicago Fire FC. Defender Jan Sobocinski also made the bench of the MLS Team of the Matchday after leading a resolute CLTFC defense against Chicago.

CLTFC has now won five straight matches at home and has gone seven matches unbeaten, both of which are the longest streaks in Club history.

Charlotte FC dominated possession throughout Wednesday’s match. Despite creating multiple chances and potential penalty kick opportunities, the Crown fell behind on a 29^th minute Kacper Przybylko breakaway goal.

Still trailing 1-0 in the 59^th minute, Head Coach Christian Lattanzio looked to the 21-year-old Brandon Cambridge off the bench to change the game. His entrance coincided with a slight tactical shift, as Karol Swiderski moved inside to the central attacking midfield role and Cambridge filled the right winger spot.

The substitution paid immediate dividends when Cambridge fired home the equalizer for his first career MLS goal in just his fourth MLS appearance. Justin Meram played a clever pass across the top of the box to Cambridge, who coolly side-footed the ball into the far post with his weaker left foot.

From there, CLTFC started pouring on the pressure. Eventually, they got their reward through Cambridge again. Nathan Byrne curled in a good cross that took a deflection off a Chicago defender, landing directly at Cambridge’s feet on the back post. He settled the ball down, took a good prep touch out of his feet, and passed into the far post with his left foot again to put Charlotte FC in the lead for good.

Jan Sobocinski played the full 90 minutes at center back for the Crown and led the effort in keeping the Fire attack bottled up. Sobocinski has taken advantage after injury issues at the center back position handed him an opportunity to enter the lineup. He has now started the last four CLTFC matches in all competitions, all of which have been victories.

The win moved Charlotte FC to 7^th place in the Eastern Conference, two places above the playoff line. The Club sits on 18 points, level with Columbus and Philadelphia in 5^th and 6^th place, respectively.

This Saturday, The Crown takes on #3 in the Eastern Conference Nashville SC at Bank of America Stadium to close out Rivalry Week, where the club aims to push their historic home match winning streak to six.

After the match, Head Coach Christian Lattanzio and Man of the Match Brandon Cambridge spoke to media.

For the full MLS Team of the Matchday, please see below:

F: Ethan Finlay (ATX), Jesús Ferreira (DAL), Luiz Araújo (ATL)

M: Brandon Cambridge (CLT), Keaton Parks (NYC), Luciano Acosta (CIN), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (MIN)

D: Malte Amundsen (CLB), Lukas MacNaughton (NSH), Brooks Lennon (ATL)

GK: Pedro Gallese (ORL)

Coach: Josh Wolff (ATX)

Bench: Andre Blake (PHI), Jan Sobociński (CLT), Richie Laryea (TOR), John Tolkin (RBNY), Obinna Nwobodo (CIN), Thiago Almada (ATL), Kwadwo Opoku (LAFC), Johnny Russell (SKC), Giorgos Giakoumakis (ATL)