CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte FC continued to show resilience as they triumphed over FC Cincinnati with a convincing 2-0 victory on March 15, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium. The match, attended by 27,807 fans, marked a pivotal moment for both teams early in the MLS season.
After a tense scoreless first half, Charlotte struck quickly after the break. Liel Abada opened the scoring just three minutes after halftime, demonstrating his sharpness by beating two Cincinnati defenders to score from the edge of the area. His goal, coming at the 48th minute, set the tone for the rest of the match.
Patrick Agyemang followed suit, netting the second goal just three minutes later. Agyemang made a perfectly timed run onto a well-placed ball from Pep Biel and delivered it inside the back post from the left-center of the box. This goal, arriving at the 51st minute, increased Charlotte's advantage and placed significant pressure on Cincinnati.
Cincinnati, now down two goals, faced additional difficulties as defender Gilberto Flores received his second yellow card of the match and was sent off with just seven minutes remaining (83rd minute). This dismissal compounded the challenges for FC Cincinnati, who were already striving to find their rhythm after their previous matches.
This match marked the first time FC Cincinnati was shut out this season, proving to be particularly disappointing after they had bounced back from earlier defeats. Coach Pat Noonan’s men had previously enjoyed strong performances, including victories against New York and Toronto FC. With this loss, Cincinnati's season record stands at 2-2-0, accumulating six points.
Looking on the positive side, Cincinnati did match their season-high with eight shots on goal during this match, but their inability to score proved their downfall against Charlotte FC’s disciplined defense and the standout performance from goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, who recorded eight saves on the night.
The loss also snapped FC Cincinnati's impressive unbeaten streak on turf, which dated back to March 2022. Bank of America Stadium remains the only Eastern Conference venue where Cincinnati has not secured a victory, adding to the mounting frustrations as their lack of success away continues to haunt them.
"We started well, but failed to capitalize on our chances today," Coach Noonan remarked after the match, acknowledging his team's struggles. "We need to learn from this and make adjustments for our next match. The season is long, and we can bounce back from this."
Charlotte FC, on the other hand, improved to 2-1-1, gathering seven points so far this season. This victory came as a breath of fresh air following their recent 1-0 defeat to Inter Miami, demonstrating their ability to adapt and rebound quickly. Charlotte's coach, Dean Smith, expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, "The team showed great character tonight, particularly after last week's result. We saw clear improvement, and I hope this momentum carries through to our next games."
Looking forward, FC Cincinnati will take the field again against Atlanta United FC next Saturday, March 22, at 2:30 PM. Meanwhile, Charlotte FC will host the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 PM on the same weekend. Both teams aim to recapture momentum and set the tone for their upcoming matches.
Charlotte FC's victory not only boosted their standing but also highlighted the contributions of their key players. With Abada opening his scoring account and Agyemang netting his first as well, both players are expected to be pivotal as the season progresses.
Fans are encouraged to secure tickets for upcoming matches to witness the excitement of MLS soccer, with teams competing fiercely as the season evolves. The integration of new players and strategies will undoubtedly influence the outcomes as the competition intensifies.