No letup from Charlotte FC in U.S. Open Cup romp vs. South Georgia
Charlotte FC head coach Christian Lattanzio said he was pleased that his team didn’t approach Tuesday night’s U.S. Open Cup match like a “walk in the park.”
“It was very, very important … to play hard,” Lattanzio said after his team rolled over South Georgia Tormenta 4-1 in a third-round Cup match at the SportsPlex in Matthews.
The victory sends Charlotte FC into the Round of 32 in the tournament, an annual event for about 100 professional teams across the United States.
Lattanzio said he expected South Georgia, which plays at the third level of U.S. pro soccer, to compete hard. He was right.
It was a tough match, with one player from each side receiving a red card after picking up two yellow cards for rough play.
Bill Tuiloma was replaced in the 20th minute after taking a hard hit, and Kamil Jozwiak went to the sidelines in the 35th minute after sustaining a leg injury.
Jozwiak had provided fans with the first half’s most exciting moment in the 24th minute, when he scored on a bicycle kick. Chris Hegardt, making his first start for Charlotte FC, got the assist on Jozwiak’s goal.
Lattanzio had no immediate information on the severity of Jozwiak’s injury, which appeared to be in the lower part of his right leg. Charlotte’s coach said an MRI was scheduled for Wednesday.
Enzo Copetti, Derrick Jones and Karol Swiderski added second-half goals for Charlotte.
Six MLS teams saw action among the eight U.S. Open Cup matches Tuesday, and only the San Jose Earthquakes lost. Another 16 matches were scheduled for Wednesday.
A draw for fourth-round matches is set for Thursday.
Charlotte FC resumes action Saturday, playing at MLS foe D.C. United.
Steve Lyttle on Twitter: @slyttle
