Charlotte FC shuts out Toronto, earning longest win streak in program history
Charlotte FC players had one simple mission heading into July: They needed to make the month theirs.
July presented four home matches, and the Crown feeds off the idea that “teams don’t like playing in the Queen City.” So, the month became a form of redemption, especially after the team posted a 3-9 record in May and June.
And Charlotte was taking July in stride. Sure, the team drew with Orlando City at the beginning of the month, but since then, the Crown has won three consecutive games, including a victory in its only away match against Atlanta United. Attacker Pep Biel emerged as the leading goal scorer, and winger Wilfried Zaha recorded a goal in seven consecutive matches despite striker Patrick Agyemang’s departure. Things were starting to click.
But it looked like The Crown was going to throw it all away before a strong second half powered it to a 2-0 victory over Toronto on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium. It’s the longest win streak (4) in program history.
In the first half, Charlotte recorded zero shots on goal and just three shot attempts, tacking on eight fouls in the process. Despite Toronto’s 5-6-12 record and 12th-place standing in the Eastern Conference heading into the match, the Reds controlled possession. Charlotte had good looks, but the team couldn’t finish.
“We had more to give, and we knew it,” defender Adilson Malanda said. “Not really a lot of a rhythm.”
But as they’ve been doing all month, the players found a way. The Crown scored in the 60th minute and then again in the 65th after head coach Dean Smith gave a halftime speech that changed his team’s attitude. Smith told his players they were sluggish and lethargic. He didn’t mince words.
“We weren’t moving the ball quick enough,” midfielder Brant Bronico said. “We weren’t pressing enough. So, we kind of took that feeback, went into the second half and went with more pace and got on it a little more.”
During a set-piece opportunity in the 65th minute, forward Idan Toklomati found himself centered close to the goal, allowing him to head the ball into the mesh after receiving a cross from Bronico.
Then, forward Kerwin Vargas followed, right-footing a shot from the center of the box to the left corner of the goal with the help of Zaha.
“There was a lot more intensity about us,” Smith said.
The Reds couldn’t find a way to get back into the game after that.
“I feel like it’s what the team deserves,” Zaha said of Charlotte FC’s winning streak. “We went through a difficult spell, but us winning the games is now is assuring the team’s decisions.”
Over halfway through the season, Charlotte sits at eighth in the Eastern Conference standings in wild-card territory. The program’s goal is to host a home playoff match. And to reach it, the team knew it needed to find some consistency soon. Players saw the chance to find it in July.
Smith said he sees more smiling faces, and everyone’s a bit chirpier over the last few weeks.
“I think winning football games helps build confidence levels,” Smith said. “And you can feel it.”
And now that it’s over, it’s apparent the team did make the month theirs.
This story was originally published July 27, 2025 at 12:19 AM.
