Charlotte FC 3-1 Columbus Crew — Charlotte FC made a blistering start and delivered a ruthless counterpunching performance to beat Columbus Crew 3-1 in Major League Soccer on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium.
Brandt Bronico needed just one minute to put the hosts ahead, giving Charlotte the ideal platform against a Columbus side that would go on to dominate the ball. Liel Abada doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 9th minute, leaving the Crew with an early mountain to climb.
Columbus responded with the greater share of possession and territorial pressure, controlling 69.9 percent of the ball and earning 13 corners. Their persistence brought a lifeline in the 41st minute, when Chase Adams headed home to cut the deficit to 2-1 before half-time.
But Charlotte remained compact, disciplined and dangerous whenever opportunities opened in transition. Despite having only 30.1 percent possession, the home side put seven of its nine shots on target, compared with Columbus’ four efforts on target from 26 attempts.
The decisive moment arrived in the 73rd minute. Pep Biel found the third goal to restore Charlotte’s two-goal cushion and take the momentum out of Columbus’ late push. Charlotte saw out the closing stages, with Ashley Westwood booked in the 89th minute as the hosts protected a valuable result.
Bronico’s 1st-minute opener, Abada’s 9th-minute penalty and Biel’s 73rd-minute finish gave Charlotte a clinical victory, while Adams’ 41st-minute header was not enough to spark a Crew recovery.
Goals
- Charlotte FC — Brandt Bronico, 1′
- Charlotte FC — Liel Abada, 9′ (penalty)
- Columbus Crew — Chase Adams, 41′
- Charlotte FC — Pep Biel, 73′
Half-time: Charlotte FC 2-1 Columbus Crew
Full-time: Charlotte FC 3-1 Columbus Crew
