Sports
Columbus rallies past Charlotte as 33-shot barrage matches regular-season record
Three different Crew players scored in a 3-1 comeback win Wednesday, while Columbus matched its franchise record for shots in a regular-season game. Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina made 11 saves despite the loss.
The Columbus Crew answered an early deficit with three goals Wednesday, beating Charlotte FC 3-1 and matching the club’s regular-season record with 33 shots in Columbus.
Charlotte went ahead in the 17th minute when Idan Toklomati scored. Brais Méndez leveled the score in the 28th minute, finishing a first-touch shot after a Charlotte turnover. It was Méndez’s second straight game with a goal and his third in the past four.
Anass Zaroury put Columbus in front in the 63rd minute. About two minutes later, Taha Habroune capped the scoring with a volley that sailed over goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, struck the crossbar and went in.
Kahlina stopped 11 shots for Charlotte. Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made two saves.
The win moved the Crew to 9-15-5, while Charlotte fell to 13-9-7. The teams now turn to weekend matches: Columbus visits FC Cincinnati on Sunday, and Charlotte plays at Philadelphia on Saturday.