Agyemang’s brace leads Charlotte FC to 3-2 win vs. Columbus Crew

Patrick Agyemang scored twice and Charlotte FC snapped its franchise-worst five-game MLS losing streak with a 3-2 victory against the Columbus Crew on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium, delivering the breakthrough performance.

The victory moved Charlotte back to .500 and into seventh place in the Eastern Conference while dropping Columbus from third to fifth. More importantly for the 29,296 fans who witnessed it, the win provided emotional catharsis after watching their team plummet from conference leaders to also-rans in barely a month.

“The lads didn’t fear them today,” head coach Dean Smith said. “The response from the players and the character they showed was excellent.”

That character was tested early when Columbus struck first through Ibrahim Aliyu’s header in the 15th minute, a beautiful cross from Diego Rossi that could have sent Charlotte into familiar defensive collapse. Instead, Agyemang answered with the kind of instinctive finishing that had abandoned Charlotte during its skid.

The forward equalized four minutes later, flicking home a corner kick from midfielder Pep Biel, then put Charlotte ahead in the 24th minute by racing past Columbus defenders and sliding the ball past goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen. Bank of America Stadium erupted, sensing something different about this performance — an aggression and urgency that had been missing.

The tactical approach was deliberate. Smith switched to 4-2-3-1 formation rather than a 4-4-2 formation, disrupting Columbus’s offensive attack. The strategy worked, limiting a Columbus team that leads the league in possession percentage and nearly every possession-based statistic.

“We wanted to nullify that,” Smith said of Columbus’ ball movement. “Pep Biel’s job was to get in and around. I thought we did that really well.”

But Charlotte’s demons weren’t fully exorcised. After controlling the first half despite Columbus dominating possession, the Crew equalized through defender Malte Amundsen in the 65th minute. The goal came after a sequence that epitomized Charlotte’s recent frustrations — a potential penalty on Agyemang went uncalled in the 61st minute, then Columbus scored minutes later while Charlotte players gestured for an offside flag that never came.

This was the moment that defined Charlotte’s season. Would they fold again, adding another painful chapter to their losing streak? Or would they show the resolve that briefly made them Eastern Conference leaders in April?

Biel provided the answer. The Spanish midfielder, returning from injury and playing his most complete match in weeks, fought off a defender to wrap around Columbus goalkeeper and restore Charlotte’s lead in the 75th minute. The goal was vintage Biel — patient, composed and clinical when it mattered most.

“I thought they linked up really well,” Smith said of his attacking trio. “The third goal was a really big link-up play as well.”

Charlotte then showed the kind of game management that had been absent during their losing streak. Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, whose confidence had been shaken during the recent run, made crucial saves down the stretch to preserve the lead. The defense withstood Columbus’ late pressure despite a late yellow card.

Agyemang departed to a standing ovation in the 87th minute, his work complete. The forward’s performance wasn’t just about the two goals — it was about setting the tone for a team that had forgotten how to win.

On Saturday night, Charlotte outworked Columbus, outhustled them in transition and showed the kind of collective character that championship teams display when backed into corners.

The victory came at the perfect time. Saturday marked Charlotte’s final home match before a grueling five-game road stretch throughout June that will test the club’s renewed confidence.

“Playing sport, you win or lose,” Smith reflected. “We’ve all gone through that and it’s how you respond to the losses.”

Charlotte FC finally found its response. The question now is whether the club can sustain it when the road gets even tougher.

Agyemang, Ream to join USMNT

Agyemang and defender Tim Ream have been called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team for the June camp that features two international friendlies. Agyemang heads to his third straight national team camp and Ream goes for his fifth straight national team camp.

This story was originally published May 24, 2025 at 10:47 PM.