ORLANDO, Fla. — Charlotte FC's 2024 playoffs run has come to an end.
The black and blue were on Orlando City SC's home turf Saturday night for the third match in round one of the MLS playoffs. After both teams notched a win earlier in the series, this match would determine who would advance to the next level.
The first goal of the night came in late. Charlotte striker Karol Świderski kicked it in, with an assist from forward Liel Abada. And it seemed that as the clock ticked on, Charlotte would win and advance.
But a late-match penalty was awarded to Orlando after a supposed shirt pull, and midfielder Facundo Torres broke through Charlotte goalkeeper Kristjian Kahlina's defenses to tie up the score in stoppage time. Thus, the third match - like the second - went to a penalty kick shootout.
In the second match, Charlotte FC won with three kicks against one from Orlando. But this time, Orlando dominated.
Luis Muriel, a forward, found the net first in the shootout for Orlando. Charlotte midfielder Pep Biel couldn't break the defense of Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Then, Orlando defender Kyle Smith broke past Kahlina. Świderski couldn't replicate his earlier goal.
Torres found the net for Orlando. Ashley Westwood, Charlotte's midfielder, gave the black and blue one last ray of hope by finding the net.
Then Rafael Santos, a left back for Orlando, dashed it. He found the net, and Orlando advanced after winning four penalty kicks to Charlotte's one.
Charlotte FC closes the 2024 season with 14 wins, 9 draws, and 11 losses.
Coach Dean Smith lamented the officiating, criticizing both the shirt pull penalty call and an earlier call that said a goal from Patrick Agyemang was offside. Still, he was optimistic about the black and blue's future in a news conference after the match.
"I think we've started something here. We're watering it, and it's growing," he said.
Westwood echoed the sentiments, saying the team was "absolutely robbed".
"When you get into the locker room and you've got Premier League boys texting you 'what's going on?' -- I'm honestly baffled by what's went on tonight," he added.