CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte FC was back home at Bank of America Stadium Saturday to take on Columbus Crew. After facing two losses in a row on the road, the black and blue were hungry for a win.
The team was able to sate its appetite, even if the pair of goals that were made happened late in the match.
Neither Charlotte nor Columbus found the net in the first half. Derrick Jones, a midfielder for Columbus who was previously on the Charlotte roster in 2022, did get a red card and was ejected from the match.
Columbus almost got goal as stoppage time ticked on past the 45-minute mark, but it was ruled out after a video review. Charlotte striker Iuri Tavares also missed a penalty kick. Both teams ended the first half with 16 minutes of stoppage time and zero goals on the board.
Charlotte captain and midfielder Ashley Westwood would find the net at last, 83 minutes into the match, marking his first goal of the 2024 season. Just five minutes later, striker Patrick Agyemang followed up with a goal, assisted by new midfielder Djibril Diani.
Even as the clock continued into seven minutes of stoppage time, Columbus Crew could not answer to Charlotte FC. The black and blue banked a 2-0 win at home and three more points for MLS standing.
Charlotte FC will stay home to host FC Cincinnati on Saturday, March 30. Charlotte will be aiming to tie the record with Cincinnati; Charlotte has won only one game and took another to draw with them, while Cincy has two wins. The last time the teams met, Cincinnati defended their home pitch with a 3-0 victory.
Kickoff on March 30 is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern.