By Billy McGee
April 11, 2025
Charlotte FC became the fifth-fastest club to reach 100 points at home in MLS history after their come-from-behind 2-1 win over Nashville SC. With 101 points through 55 matches, they are tied for the fourth-most points at home of any MLS team since Charlotte’s inaugural season in 2022. The win extends Charlotte’s home winning streak to seven games, dating back to September of last season.
The Crown made some changes to their starting lineup against Nashville, with Pep Biel shifting out wide to the right wing, Djibril Diani taking his place in the midfield, and Liel Abada on the bench. Head coach Dean Smith also chose to stick with the same back line as the Colorado match, despite Andrew Privett returning from his red card suspension.
Charlotte struggled in the first half, failing to register a single shot and falling behind 1-0 after a 32nd-minute goal. Defender Dan Lovitz received the ball in the box after an overlapping run on the left wing and played a cross that Kristijan Kahlina managed to get a hand on, but it fell kindly to Hany Mukhtar for an easy tap-in goal.
Charlotte made a change coming out of halftime, bringing on Kerwin Vargas for Diani and shifting Biel back into a more central role that he’s played this season. They appeared to level the score in the 50th minute with a Vargas header off a free-kick, but the goal was called off due to Brandt Bronico interfering with a defender in an offside position.
A frightening moment occurred in the 72nd minute when Vargas attempted a bicycle kick but inadvertently kicked Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman in the head. Zimmerman was stretchered off the field and taken to the hospital, where he was later discharged the same day. Vargas was given a yellow card for the foul.
“First of all, we just want to make sure Walker is alright,” said captain Ashley Westwood following the match. “It wasn’t nice to see and hopefully he’s doing alright. We send our best wishes as a team and as a football club to him and to all his family.”
Vargas addressed Zimmerman in an Instagram story following the match: “I’m so sorry about today, I apologize so much. I hope you get better and everything is okay.”
Colombian defender Jeisson Palacios came on as a substitute for Nashville, taking Zimmerman’s place. Charlotte also made changes before play resumed, bringing on Idan Toklomati, Eryk Williamson and Privett for Patrick Agyemang, Bronico and Souleyman Doumbia.
In the 83rd minute, Wilfried Zaha received the ball on the left wing, dribbled into the box, and drew a foul from behind, earning a penalty. Zaha stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, with Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis diving the other way, tying the game 1-1 in the 85th minute. Then, in the 90th minute, Biel played a through ball to Toklomati, who took his first touch to maneuver around Willis and defender Jack Maher before finding the back of the net for his first goal with Charlotte FC. The Crown held on through 12 minutes of added time to secure all three points.
Toklomati earned a few accolades for his performance, being named Charlotte FC’s Man of the Match, included in the MLS Team of the Matchday, and awarded Goal of the Matchday for his winning strike.
Charlotte will hit the road for their next match against CF Montreal, who will be hosting their home opener. Montreal began the season with seven consecutive road games, recording two draws and five losses, leaving them at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference with just two points. Over those seven matches, Montreal has scored only four goals while conceding 12, tying them with D.C. United for the second-worst goal differential in MLS.
Montreal is coming off a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew. The Crew struck early, scoring in the 11th minute with a goal on the counter-attack by Aziel Jackson. They doubled their lead in the 26th minute when Jacen Russell-Rowe fired a powerful strike from the edge of the box. Montreal winger Caden Clark thought he had cut into the lead in the 33rd minute, but after a VAR review, his goal was ruled offside.
They found the back of the net in the 50th minute when Clark’s shot hit the left post and ricocheted to an unmarked Prince Owusu, who slotted it past the keeper. The goal was initially ruled offside but was overturned after another VAR review. Montréal thought they had equalized again in the 82nd minute, when a ball to the back post found Victor Loturi for a tap-in, but the referee went to VAR for a third time and disallowed the goal for offside.
The Crown have struggled on the road to start the season, with one draw and two losses in their first three away games. A key factor behind their away form has been a lack of counterattacking opportunities and success in transition — areas where they’ve thrived at home.
Biel will be key for Charlotte in their upcoming match against Montréal. Currently tied for the league lead in assists with five, he’s been instrumental in creating many of Charlotte’s best chances this season. His ability to drive transitions and ignite counterattacks — particularly with pinpoint through balls, like the one that set up Toklomati’s game-winning goal against Nashville — makes him a constant threat.
Vargas and Liel Abada will need to step up against Montreal, especially with Zaha recently undergoing surgery on his hand due to an injury sustained against Colorado. He will miss the match against Montreal, but is expected to return against San Diego FC on April 19. Vargas and Abada are likely to form the starting wing duo, as they did in Matchweek 1 against Seattle.
Charlotte also has options at striker, with the emergence of Idan Toklomati, who scored the game-winner and has impressed in his appearances this season. If the attack struggles early, as it did last week, they may look to change the center-forward role to provide a spark.
This match presents a strong opportunity for Charlotte’s defense to shine, especially considering Montreal’s struggle to score, with one of the lowest goal totals in MLS. Charlotte might consider adjusting the backline, particularly since Privett, who had been left out following his red card suspension, was subbed in against Nashville. Regardless of who Dean Smith selects to start, Charlotte’s defense should be well-positioned to handle Montreal’s attack.
The match against CF Montreal is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, April 12, at Stade Saputo. It will be streamed on Apple TV MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+.
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