Charlotte scored two goals within the first nine minutes before fending off a relentless Columbus Crew side and securing a 3-1 home victory on Saturday night.
Charlotte’s Allan Saint-Maximin and Columbus’ Josef Martinez each made their MLS debuts for their new teams. Martinez, the 2018 league MVP and sixth-most prolific goal scorer in MLS history, played 19 minutes. Saint-Maximin played 45.
Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina made three saves for Charlotte (8-7-4, 28 points). Patrick Schulte produced three saves for Columbus (5-9-5, 20 points).
After kickoff, Charlotte immediately worked the ball to Liel Abada on the left wing. Abada played the ball back to David Schnegg, who cut open the Columbus defense with an incisive through ball to Brandt Bronico. Bronico timed his run perfectly and poked his shot between Schulte’s legs to open the scoring just 29 seconds in. The goal was Bronico’s first of the season.
Columbus conceded a penalty after just seven minutes when Tarun Karumanchi misplayed a ball to Schulte under duress. Schulte cleared the ball directly to Abada in the middle of the box, and midfielder Dylan Chambost tripped Abada up as he squared up for a shot. Abada buried the ensuing penalty in the bottom-left corner to put Charlotte up 2-0.
Teenage attacker Chase Adams scored Columbus’ first goal before halftime. Lautaro Giaccone launched a lofted cross over Kahlina to the far post where Brooks Lennon was waiting. But instead of going for goal, Lennon headed the ball to Adams, who headed it past the goal line. The teenager’s 41st-minute header was his first goal in MLS play.
Pep Biel scored Charlotte’s third goal in the 73rd minute. Biel started Charlotte’s attack in transition, sending Will Cleary long down the wing. Cleary passed to the streaking Rodolfo Aloko in the box, and Aloko laid the ball off to Biel at the top of the box. An unmarked Biel fired home with just one touch to restore Charlotte’s two-goal advantage.
Columbus desperately tried to trim Charlotte’s lead but simply couldn’t muster enough attacking firepower. The Crew managed just four shots on target compared to 22 off-target attempts. Sean Zawadski’s curling shot was Columbus’ biggest scoring opportunity; the defender was wide open in the box but couldn’t steer his effort on target.
–Field Level Media
