COLUMBUS – Charlotte FC comeback in second half to up pick up their second-ever point on the road in their 1 - 1 draw against the Columbus Crew. It was a game that left much to be desired as long periods of the match were stale from both sides.
CLTFC are a team that wants to keep possession, but it was the Crew who held most of it in the first half. For the most part, the Crew weren't threatening on the ball. The Crown were able to defend comfortably, only conceding half chances throughout the first half.
The Crew’s best chances came around the 35th to 40th minute when some heroic defending from Anton Walkes and Brandt Bronico helped keep the game even. Things were looking steady going into the half for the Crown, but a shocking individual mistake from goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina gifted Columbus’s Erik Hurtado a goal in the 42nd minute.
After conceding such a demoralizing goal away from home, things were looking bleak for CLTFC. But this time around, the Crown had a response. Just five minutes after halftime, off the rebound from a Titi Ortiz shot, Andre Shinyashiki once again came up big and buried the equalizing goal.
It was even for the most part between the two sides in the second half. Neither team was dominant or threatening apart from a few chances sprinkled in between. In the last 10 minutes, CLTFC seemed to be content to play for the draw as they subbed in defenders Jan Sobociński and Jaylin Lindsey to close out the match.
Mentality Shift
Conceding first while playing on the road is a feeling that CLTFC players and fans alike are all too familiar with. The team had conceded first in five of their seven away matches and lost all five of those matches coming into Columbus.
So, it was a feeling of déjà vu when CLTFC conceded the first goal against the Crew. And it looked like Charlotte FC were reverting to their older selves. But in this match, the team came out of the half motivated and fought through the adversity responding quickly with an equalizing goal. The team didn't crack under the hardship, which we've seen in the past but instead went on to have an improved half compared to the first.
This was the first time this season that CLTFC have earned a point away after conceding first. It’s a step in the right direction and shows the continued maturation of the team. Up next for the team’s progression when playing away is to impose their playing style from the start.
