Wilfried Zaha dazzles in MLS debut. Charlotte FC blanks rival Atlanta in home opener
Charlotte FC is victorious for the first time this year.
Wilfried Zaha, the English Premier League veteran making his Major League Soccer debut with Charlotte, scored a goal in the Queen City’s 2-0 victory against rival Atlanta United on Saturday afternoon.
Many of the 51,002 inside Bank of America Stadium were donning Zaha’s new No. 10 jersey and the 32-year-old Ivory Coast native continued making his mark. Zaha had nearly recorded his first assist less than five minutes before his milestone goal — but he said his so-called pass to Pep Biel actually was intended to be a shot.
“It was just joy, and being able to repay the hype,” Zaha said. “The lads believe in me.... And hopefully after this goal, everyone else will. I’m just happy to get the win.”
How Charlotte FC shut out Atlanta in its home opener
Charlotte’s offense struck twice early in the second half.
Zaha came running down the middle of the pitch during the 50th minute and kept the ball in front of him. He sent a feed forward, and Biel slid to blast home the first score of the afternoon.
“It’s important to have the best players on the team,” Biel said, “and (Zaha) is one of the best.”
The Queen City’s standout newcomer added his own tally within minutes.
Just four minutes after Biel made the packed crowd cheer the loudest it had all day, Zaha scored one himself. The global soccer star got his right foot on the ball after the opposing goalie batted a missed shot forward and gave Charlotte a 2-0 advantage.
‘Winning football games is the main reason’
Charlotte FC’s home opener brought tens of thousands to Uptown Charlotte on Saturday.
The Queen City’s professional soccer team, which kicked off its fourth season last weekend at Seattle, has several large fan groups that travel en masse to every match and have created one of the MLS’ best atmospheres.
Charlotte recorded the second-best attendance in the league last season — behind only Atlanta, the team’s rival by location that made a flurry of signings and new personnel hires during the offseason.
And shut out its southeastern MLS counterpart.
“Great following, great support, and I keep saying it: I want them to come back,” head coach Dean Smith said. “The way to keep them coming back is history. We haven’t had a lot of that — we’re only four years old — so winning football games is the main reason you’re going to keep fans coming back.”
Up next for Charlotte?
Charlotte FC hits the road to face Inter Miami, in a match that is now set for 4 p.m. March 9.
This story was originally published March 1, 2025 at 6:35 PM.
