Charlotte FC defeats Chelsea FC in penalty kicks

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte FC defeated Chelsea FC in penalty kicks Wednesday night at Bank of America Stadium.

The match was tied, 1-1, but Charlotte FC pulled ahead in penalty kicks, 5-3, for the victory.

KAMIL SENDS IT HOME! VICTORY!

CLT: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
CFC: ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) July 21, 2022

However, inclement weather kicked off the night.

Charlotte FC fans were not allowed inside the stadium early Wednesday evening due to weather ahead of the match against Chelsea FC.

Weather delay Charlotte FC fans wait outside Bank of America Stadium Wednesday night before the match. Lightning in the area delayed their entrance and kickoff.

Heavy lightning was reported in the area and a shelter-in-place was put in effect. The match was supposed to start at 7:30 p.m. The match started at about 8:35 p.m. after fans were let in at 7:55 p.m.

Severe weather and lightning remains in the area and shelter in place is still in effect. Gates are still closed.

We will provide further updates when available. https://t.co/yRgn0s9U0G
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) July 20, 2022

Chelsea FC is on one of the most popular and successful teams in the English Premier League. Charlotte FC is scheduled to host a friendly match against Chelsea FC as part of the Clash of Nations Tour.

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“Charlotte is a soccer city and to host Chelsea FC, one of the biggest clubs in the world, for an international friendly this summer is an incredible opportunity to showcase our region as a soccer hotbed,” said Charlotte FC President Joe LaBue in a news release. “We’ve always said we wanted to bring the best talent and teams around the globe to Bank of America Stadium and this delivers on that promise.”

>> Read more Charlotte FC stories

Chelsea FC, a London-based EPL club, is led by German manager Thomas Tuchel. The roster includes the highly talented American Christian Pulisic and other global superstars such as N’Golo Kante (France), Mason Mount (England) and Edouard Mendy (Senegal), who are all expected to headline for their respective countries at this winter’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

I'm sure @ChelseaFC players were hoping to escape the heatwave over in the UK, but it won't be that much better on Wednesday when they play @CharlotteFC. Low chance for a storm or two early in the evening, but the warmth is the main focus. pic.twitter.com/J3MZOMnvgE
— Keith Monday (@kmondayWSOC9) July 19, 2022

The match was part of this summer’s FC Series event featuring international matches across the United States. The series wraps up with a stateside derby between Arsenal and Chelsea in Orlando on July 23.

For more information, go to FCSeries.com.

This was Chelsea’s second appearance in the Queen City. The soccer giants played against Paris Saint-Germain at the stadium in 2015 as part of the International Champions Cup North American tour. More than 61,000 fans attended the match.

(WATCH BELOW: Traffic Team 9 breaks down road closures for Charlotte FC’s match against Chelsea FC)