Kristijan Kahlina made two stellar saves during the penalty-kick shootout and Charlotte FC made all three of its attempts for a 3-1 edge following a scoreless draw with visiting Orlando City on Friday night to tie their best-of-three Eastern Conference playoff series at one game apiece.
Kahlina made a hand save on Nicolas Lodeiro’s left-footed shot to start the shootout and stopped Duncan McGuire’s right-footed blast to end it and give Charlotte FC their first playoff victory in three MLS seasons.
Patrick Agyemang, Karol Swiderski and Ashley Westwood scored the penalty-kick goals for fifth-seeded Charlotte, which had a 13-3 edge in shots during regulation.
The deciding Game 3 is Nov. 9 at Orlando.
Fourth-seeded Orlando City’s lone shot on goal came in the 83rd minute when Ivan Angulo’s right-footer from outside the box was stopped by Kahlina.
Facundo Torres appeared to give Orlando City the lead in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, but Lodeiro was ruled offside when he received the ball before passing to the open Torres.
That was the best chance for either team in the closing minutes of second-half stoppage time.
Kahlina set the tone for the shootout when he stymied Lodeiro. Charlotte’s Agyemang then sent a right-footer into the right corner.
Orlando’s Robin Jansson was up next and he sent a left-footer high over the net. Charlotte then took a 2-0 edge when Swiderski sent a left-footed grounder into the right corner.
Luis Muriel tallied for Orlando by chipping a right-footed shot into the left corner of the net. Westwood then beat Orlando’s Pedro Gallese with a right-footer into the lower left corner.
It was then do or die for Orlando and Kahlina knocked away McGuire’s shot to end it.
Orlando City won the series opener 2-0 on Sunday behind goals by Torres and Martin Ojeda.
Gallese made three saves in regulation and Kahlina had one stop on Friday.
Charlotte had a 7-0 edge in first-half shots but was unable to find the back of the net.
Adilson Malanda hit the right goal post in the 17th minute and Liel Abada’s header in the 23rd minute was stopped by Gallese.
In the 43rd minute, Kerwin Vargas’ left-footed shot was saved by Gallese.
Orlando City’s first shot came in the 65th minute when a left-footer by Dagur Thorhallsson was blocked by Charlotte’s Tim Ream.
–Field Level Media
