Charlotte FC leads Orlando City in PKs to even series

Kristijan Kahlina made two brilliant saves in the shootout and Charlotte FC made all three attempts to take a 3-1 lead after a goalless draw with Orlando City on Friday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, leveling their best-of-three playoff Eastern Conference series with one game each.

Kahlina parried Nicolas Lodeiro’s left-footed shot to start the shootout and stopped Duncan McGuire’s right-footed shot to end the game and give Charlotte FC its first playoff win in three MLS seasons.

Patrick Agyemang, Karol Swiderski and Ashley Westwood scored the penalty goals for fifth-seeded Charlotte, which had a 13-2 advantage in shots during regulation time.

The decisive Game 3 will take place on November 9th in Orlando.

Fourth seed Orlando City’s only shot on goal came in the 83rd minute when Ivan Angulo’s right-footed shot from outside the penalty area 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 offside when he received the ball before passing to the open Torres.

This was the best chance for both teams in the final minutes of stoppage time in the second half.

Kahlina set the tone for the shootout when he obstructed Lodeiro. Charlotte’s Agyemang then sent a right-footed shot into the right corner.

Orlando’s Robin Jansson was next, sending a left-footed shot high over the net. Charlotte then took a 2-0 lead when Swiderski sent a left-footed grounder into the right corner.

Luis Muriel equalized for Orlando by firing a right-footed shot into the left corner of the net. Westwood then beat Orlando’s Pedro Gallese with a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner.

Then it was life and death for Orlando, and Kahlina blocked McGuire’s shot to end the game.

Orlando City won the series opener 2-0 on Sunday with goals from Torres and Martin Ojeda.

Gallese made three saves in regulation time and Kahlina had a stop on Friday.

Charlotte had a 7-0 lead in the first half but failed to find 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 parried by Gallese.

Orlando City’s first shot came in the 65th minute when a left-footed shot from Dagur Thorhallsson was blocked by Charlotte’s Tim Ream.

–Field level media