Oct 5, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; CF Montreal forward Sunusi Ibrahim (14) shoots as Charlotte FC defender Adilson Malanda (29) and defender Nathan Byrne (14) defend in the first half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Karol Swiderski continued his impressive late-season form by scoring in the first half and host Charlotte FC extended their unbeaten streak, beating CF Montreal 2-0 on Saturday night.
Patrick Agyemang also scored for Charlotte (13-11-9, 48 points), which is unbeaten in its last four games (3-0-1). They sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with just one regular season game remaining.
Montreal (10-13-10, 40 points) lost for the first time in six games (4-1-1) and its three-game winning streak came to an end. CF Montreal’s last loss was on August 31 against FC Cincinnati.
Charlotte broke a goalless tie with Swiderski in the 34th minute, after Liel Abada’s powerful low pass from outside the box forced Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois to make the first save. But Sirois couldn’t control the shot clearly and Swiderski slid in to put the rebound in the back of the net and put the lead at 1-0.
It was Swiderski’s fourth goal in three games, increasing his season total to six goals in just nine games.
Agyemang scored in second-half stoppage time, his ninth goal of the year, securing three points for Charlotte FC.
Meanwhile, Montreal, currently sitting just three points above the playoff line in the East, failed to generate consistent attacking opportunities to challenge Charlotte goaltender Kristijan Kahlina.
Overall, Charlotte FC finished with a 12-8 advantage in shots, with six attempts on goal to CF Montreal’s one.
Kahlina was forced to make just one save, in the 55th minute, off a shot by Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty. Sirois was credited with four saves on the setback.
Charlotte FC has won its last three home games and finished the regular season with a 9-3-5 record on its home court. Montreal will finish the campaign with a 3-9-5 road record.
–Field level media
