Despite a combined 28 shots between the two sides, Charlotte FC and D.C. United played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night in Charlotte, N.C.
Both clubs had chances to score game-winning goals late.
For Charlotte (7-9-11, 32 points), Justin Meram got a good look at the goal in the 67th minute after getting a cross from Ben Bender, but his headed attempt went just over the bar.
For D.C. United (9-12-8, 35 points), Christian Benteke had an attempt snuffed out, redirected by the head of Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina in the 66th minute. Then, in the 74th minute, Brendan Hines-Ike put a feed from Russell Canouse over the bar with his right foot.
Near the end of the match, Kahlina saved an attempt from Canouse taken from the left side of the box. D.C. United put six shots on-target, all of them stopped by Kahlina. DCU goalkeeper Alex Bono needed to make just two saves to keep his clean sheet on the road.
One final attempt by Charlotte’s Scott Arfield in the 93rd minute was blocked by a D.C. United defender.
The result allows D.C. United to hold on to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, as the Black and Red will stay in ninth place, just above the playoff line. Charlotte remains in 11th place, trailing by three points.
While D.C. United put more attempts on-target than its opponent — six to two — Charlotte dominated possession, controlling the ball 61.7 percent of the time. Charlotte also had the better passing accuracy in the match at 79.7 percent.
Referees reviewed a call in the ninth minute that could have resulted in a penalty kick for Charlotte FC. An attempt by Brandt Bronico seemed to touch the hand of a D.C. United defender in the box, but VAR decision resulted in no penalty.
For D.C. United, Benteke had five shot attempts, putting three on-frame.
–Field Level Media