CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Pep Beal had a goal and an assist, Kerwin Vargas added two assists and Charlotte FC defeated Toronto FC 3-1 on Saturday night.
Charlotte said the team rested U.S. defender Tim Ream “for load management purposes” and that the 38-year-old was expected to return next weekend. Riem returned on May 9 after missing four and a half games with a groin injury.
Wilfried Zaha scores in the 19th minute — with assists from Vargas and Beal — gave Charlotte a 1-0 lead. It was Zaha’s third goal of the season and 13th in 43 career appearances. Beer’s helper was the fifth person.
derrick Etienne Jr. caught the pass. Jonathan Osorio scored his second goal three minutes later, tying the score at 1-1. Etienne has scored 22 goals in 229 career games. It was Osorio’s third assist, matching his total from each of the past two seasons.
Charlotte took a 2-1 lead in the 35th minute and took it to halftime, with Vargas’ third assist of the season setting up defender David’s goal. Schnegg’s first goal for the club. Schnegg’s other goal was in D.C. in 2024. United.
beer scored Earned a penalty kick in the 84th minute. The seventh goal came after Morrison Agyemang was fouled by Osorio. Beal contributed 39 goals during his time in Charlotte, including 20 netters, one shy of Karol Swiderski’s club record.
Kristijan Karina finished with three saves for Charlotte (5-6-3).
Luka Gavran stopped two shots for Toronto (3-5-5).
Playing on the road for the first time since March 8, Toronto fell to 1-3-0 on the road after going 2-2-5 on a nine-game homestand.
Charlotte improved to 4-2-2 at home this season. Charlotte leads the series against Toronto with a 5-3-1 record and is 4-1-0 at home.
Toronto’s only win in Charlotte came during their first trip to Charlotte in 2022, a 2-0 win.
to the next
Toronto: Visited Chicago Fire on Saturday.
Charlotte: Hosts the New England Revolution on Saturday.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
