Charlotte vs Columbus ends in 3-1 Crew comeback win at home
Key takeaways
- Columbus Crew beat Charlotte FC 3-1 at home on Oct. 14, 2026.
- Two goals in two minutes flipped a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 lead.
- The Crew fired 33 shots, a club record, and kept their playoff hopes alive.
Columbus Crew beat Charlotte FC 3-1 on Oct. 14, 2026. The home side trailed early. Then it scored three straight goals.
The win came at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio. The Columbus Dispatch reported the 3-1 final score.
What happened
Charlotte FC struck first. Idan Toklomati scored in the 17th minute. He stole the ball from Steven Moreira.
Then he fired past Patrick Schulte. The goal put Charlotte up 1-0. The Columbus Dispatch reported the early goal.
Columbus hit back fast. Brais Mendez scored in the 28th minute. Josef Martinez forced a turnover high up the field.
He found Santi Rodriguez. Rodriguez slid the ball to Mendez. Mendez shot from 22 yards.
The score stood 1-1. Yardbarker reported the goal chain.
The first half belonged to Columbus. The Crew outshot Charlotte 22-5 before the break. Kristijan Kahlina kept Charlotte level.
He made eight saves in the first half. Dylan Chambost hit the post in the 38th minute. Kahlina also denied Mendez late in the half.
The teams went in tied 1-1. Yardbarker reported the first-half numbers.
The second half turned fast. Anass Zaroury scored in the 63rd minute. Mo Farsi sent in the cross.
Zaroury hit the ball into the ground. It bounced over Kahlina. It struck the bar and went in.
The goal made it 2-1. It was Zaroury's first MLS goal. It came in his fourth MLS match.
Yardbarker reported the goal.
Two minutes later, the lead grew. Taha Habroune stole the ball from Ashley Westwood. He shot at once.
The ball found the net. The score moved to 3-1. The two goals came two minutes apart.
The Dispatch reported the quick double.
The final numbers showed the gap. Columbus took 33 shots to Charlotte's 9. The Crew put 14 shots on target.
Charlotte managed 3. Columbus held 54 percent of the ball. Charlotte held 46 percent.
The Crew also led 4.1 to 0.8 in expected goals. That stat rates the quality of each shot. Kahlina finished with 11 saves.
Yardbarker called it a career high. The Dispatch reported the full stat line.
The two teams had met before this season. Charlotte won 3-1 on Aug. 15. That win started an eight-match unbeaten run for Charlotte.
Charlotte had never won at Columbus before this night. Its four prior wins over the Crew all came at home. Charlotte FC reported that history.
The game kicked off at 7:30 p. m. Fans could watch on Apple TV.
Charlotte FC reported the kickoff time.
Why it matters
The win keeps Columbus alive. The Crew moved to 9-15-5 with 32 points. They have now won three of four games.
They started the night seven points outside the final playoff spot. They still sit outside the playoff line. But the win keeps hope alive.
The Dispatch reported the standings gap.
The 33 shots set a club record, according to Yardbarker. The attack finally matched the pressure. The goals came in a rush after more than 60 minutes of pressure.
Two goals in two minutes changed the night. The Dispatch reported the long spell of pressure.
Charlotte lost a big chance. The club entered the night tied for fourth in the East. It had 46 points and a 13-9-7 record.
It had gone 9-2-4 in its prior 15 games. A win could have locked up a playoff spot, with help from other results. Its own pre-match guide said a win was part of each clinch path.
The loss means the wait goes on. The Dispatch and Charlotte FC reported these facts.
Charlotte had come in hot. It beat FC Dallas 3-2 on Oct. 10. It had scored late to win that game.
The loss in Columbus broke that good run. Charlotte FC reported the Dallas win.
Kahlina still stood out in defeat. He made 11 saves in the game. Eight came in the first half.
He kept Charlotte in the game for over an hour. The Dispatch noted his strong work.
The scorers told their own stories. Zaroury scored his first MLS goal. Toklomati scored his 12th goal of the season.
That tied Pep Biel for the team lead. It was also his third goal in two games. Mendez scored his fifth goal in 12 games with the Crew.
Yardbarker reported each mark.
What happens next
Columbus plays away at FC Cincinnati next. Charlotte visits the Philadelphia Union next. Soccerzz reported both next games.
The Crew must keep this form. Every game now counts like a final. One more slip would hurt the playoff chase.
The win over Charlotte gives them a base to build on.
Charlotte still holds a strong spot. It has 46 points. It stays near the top of the East.
One loss does not erase a strong run. The Crown can still finish high. They need to bounce back on the road.
More MLS action from this week is on Rive News. Read our report on the Vancouver Whitecaps meeting St. Louis City.
See also [the Red Bulls meeting D. C.
United at Audi Field](/sports/red-bulls-dc-united-audi-field-93rd-meeting/). And check the Philadelphia Union meeting the Chicago Fire.
More MLS games ran on the same night.
See Nashville SC vs Sporting KC.
See Seattle Sounders vs FC Dallas.
The Crew will try to carry this rush into Cincinnati. Charlotte will try to reset on the road. The East race stays tight.
Both teams have much to play for.
Related stories
Why Is Altitude Sickness Worse for Some People?
Altitude sickness hits some people harder because of genetics, ascent speed, and prior history, not fitness level. Here is what raises risk
Why Do You Get Blisters When Hiking and How to Prevent Them
Friction plus moisture plus heat equals a blister. Learn why hiking breeds all three, and the boots, socks, and tape system that keeps
How to choose hiking boots for beginners: fit, features, and break-in
Beginners should buy for fit first: snug everywhere, tight nowhere, with a thumb's width at the toes. Here is how to size, test,