Charlotte FC Forward Karol Świderski Named to MLS Team of the Matchday

Charlotte FC earned a draw against league-leading FC Cincinnati behind a Swiderski first half brace

CHARLOTTE, NC (Monday, July 10, 2023) – Charlotte FC forward Karol Swiderski earned a spot on the MLS Team of the Matchday after his first half brace helped the team earn a 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati in front of 43,613 fans at Bank of America Stadium.

At home against league-leading FC Cincinnati, Karol Swiderski opened the scoring early in the 14^th minute. As the ball went wide to Kerwin Vargas, Swiderski outsmarted FCC defender Nick Hagglund with his run and beat him to Vargas’s cross on the front post to put the Crown up 1-0.

Just 10 minutes later, Swiderski doubled the CLTFC advantage. Jaylin Lindsey whipped in a cross to the back post and the Polish striker once again got the better of Hagglund, redirecting the cross on goal for his second of the day.

FC Cincinnati equalized in the second half through a penalty kick and a well-worked Alvaro Barreal goal, but then defender Ian Murphy was sent off in the 75^th minute. CLTFC pressed for the winner with their man advantage and created several good chances. Swiderski nearly completed his hat trick, even having a late shot from outside the box unluckily come off the inside of the post, but both teams eventually walked away with a point.

In the Eastern Conference standings, five teams are now level on 26 points from 9^th to 13^th. CLTFC sit in 12^th due to having played one more game than the three teams above them but are in touching distance of the playoff places.

Charlotte FC now has some room to breathe after a hectic schedule to start the summer. The team has a full week to prepare for Saturday’s match at CF Montreal before the league pauses to take on the inaugural Leagues Cup. In the group stage, CLTFC will play FC Dallas away on July 21 and Liga MX side Necaxa at home on July 29.

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

F: Léo Chú (SEA), Alan Pulido (SKC), Karol Swiderski (CLT)

M: Riqui Puig (LA), Pablo Ruiz (RSL), Luciano Acosta (CIN), Sebastián Driussi (ATX)
D: Jackson Ragen (SEA), Andreas Maxsø (COL), Mauricio Pineda (CHI)
GK: Patrick Schulte (CLB)

Coach: Brian Schmetzer (SEA)

Bench: Drake Callender (MIA), Justen Glad (RSL), Álvaro Barreal (CIN), Santiago Sosa (ATL), Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA), Héctor Herrera (HOU), Frankie Amaya (RBNY), Fabian Herbers (CHI), Aziel Jackson (STL)