Columbus Crew beat Charlotte FC 3-1 in MLS at home

Columbus Crew beat Charlotte FC 3-1 on Wednesday night at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio, in an MLS match that Charlotte opened through Idan Toklomati in the 17th minute. Brais Méndez answered in the 28th, and Anass Zaroury and Taha Habroune scored in the 63rd and 65th to settle it. Columbus Crew took 33 shots to Charlotte FC's 9, and Kristijan Kahlina made 11 saves for the visitors. Charlotte FC is fifth in the Eastern Conference with 46 points, and Columbus Crew sits 13th with 32. Charlotte plays at Philadelphia on Saturday, while Columbus visits Cincinnati on Sunday.

What does Columbus's win mean in the Eastern Conference table?

Columbus Crew entered the night 13th in the Eastern Conference table with 32 points, and its 3-1 home win over Charlotte FC at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field gave it a result to build on. According to Independent Journal Review, the Crew sought points to stay in contention. It came through with 33 shots, which CBS Sports said tied a franchise record, and goals from Brais Méndez in the 28th minute, Anass Zaroury in the 63rd and Taha Habroune in the 65th.

Charlotte entered the match fifth with 46 points. Independent Journal Review reported that the team aimed to protect its Eastern Conference playoff position. Idan Toklomati's 17th-minute goal was all it managed, even though goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina made 11 saves. Nashville SC leads the table with 66 points. Charlotte plays at Philadelphia on Saturday, and Columbus visits Cincinnati on Sunday.

Who scored and when in Columbus vs. Charlotte?

Charlotte FC led first. Idan Toklomati scored in the 17th minute, and CBS Sports noted he has six goals in seven games. Columbus Crew equalized in the 28th minute through Brais Méndez, with Santiago Rodríguez also credited on the play. CBS Sports added that Méndez now has three goals in four games.

The decisive spell came after halftime, with the score level at 1-1. Anass Zaroury scored in the 63rd minute, with Mohamed Farsi credited on the play, and Taha Habroune added another in the 65th.

How did the stats compare between Columbus Crew and Charlotte FC?

Columbus Crew took 33 shots, with 14 on goal, and CBS Sports reported the total tied a franchise record. Charlotte FC managed 9 shots, with 2 on goal. Kristijan Kahlina made 11 saves for Charlotte FC, while Anass Zaroury led Columbus Crew with 9 shots.

Columbus Crew won 10 corner kicks to 4 for Charlotte FC. Possession was close, 52.9 percent for Columbus Crew and 47.1 percent for Charlotte FC. Columbus Crew completed 443 accurate passes and Charlotte FC completed 374. Columbus Crew and Charlotte FC each committed 6 fouls.

How had Columbus and Charlotte played before this match?

Columbus Crew lost 1-0 to Red Bull New York, then beat Orlando City SC 2-1, CF Montréal 2-0 and Inter Miami CF 2-1 before losing 3-2 to Orlando City SC in its previous match. Independent Journal Review noted that Columbus came off that loss.

Charlotte FC beat CF Montréal 2-1, drew 3-3 with FC Cincinnati, beat D.C. United 2-1 and lost 1-0 to Chicago Fire FC. Its latest result was a 3-2 win over FC Dallas, which Independent Journal Review also mentioned.

What do the media reports say and what is next for each team?

Independent Journal Review listed Columbus Crew in a 4-4-2 with Sean Zawadzki and Charlotte FC in a 4-3-3 with Ashley Westwood, with Courtois coaching Columbus Crew and Smith coaching Charlotte FC. The match was available on Apple TV.

According to CBS Sports, Charlotte FC plays at Philadelphia on Saturday and Columbus Crew visits Cincinnati on Sunday. Taha Habroune led Columbus Crew with 56 accurate passes, and Sean Zawadzki had 16 defensive interventions. Ashley Westwood had 46 accurate passes for Charlotte FC, and Allan Saint-Maximin took 3 shots for Charlotte FC.

The numbers at Scorely

Data source: ESPN; calculation and table by Scorely.