Another 90 minutes on the books for this preseason, and thankfully so, as that one looked iffy for a hot minute while thunder and lightning swept across Charlotte, NC, causing a 65-minute kickoff delay.
But things finally got going and both sides came out full of energy and determination, with Charlotte striker Karol Świderski particularly taking the opportunity to raise his level.
But Chelsea’s quality showed in what was by then a fairly even first half when Christian Pulisic, benefiting from a lucky deflection on a Michy Batshuayi shot, had an easy chance to get home in the 30th minute.
Chelsea turned up the heat after the goal and dominated the rest of the half, coming close several times but not quite able to beat goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, who also made a great turn.
A fully rotated (save for the goalkeeper) Chelsea lost all that rhythm in the second half and made much heavier weather for the opposition.
Finally, in the final quarter of the game, we got together a couple of flowing moves but couldn’t make them count. Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling each pulled off an excellent save, but otherwise it was pretty toothless in the second 45.
And then Charlotte won a penalty for a share of the “loot” in the final seconds of the game.
And then it still wasn’t over. There was confusion but eventually there was a penalty shootout, just like last time we played a pre-season game here.
After all, at least no injuries and a bit more fitness.
carefree
- First Half XI (3-4-3): Mendy | Emerson, Silva, James | Alonso, Kovačić, Jorginho (c), Hudson-Odoi | Pulisic, Batshuayi, Ziyech
- Second Half XI (3-4-3): Mendy | Sarr, Colwill, Chalobah | Chilwell, Gallagher, Ampadu, Kenedy | Sterling, Havertz, mount (c)
- Charlotte PKs: Rios (Results), Makoun (Results), Walkes (Results), Mora (Results), Jóźwiak (Results)
- Chelsea PKs: Havertz (results), Chilwell (results), Gallagher (rescued), Sterling (results)
- Next up: vs. Arsenal in Orlando, FL on Saturday in the final game of the USA Tour
- KTBFFH