Kristijan Kahlina made 10 saves, together with three essential late denials, to assist Charlotte FC protect a 1-1 draw at St. Louis Metropolis in each groups’ season opener on Saturday afternoon.
Pep Biel scored within the second half of his first look since final September for Charlotte, which prolonged St. Louis’ winless streak in residence openers to 3 seasons and spoiled Yoann Damet’s full-time managerial debut.
Marcel Hartel, who had 9 targets and 6 assists final season, put St. Louis in entrance early within the second half because the membership started a brand new period with Damet and new sporting director Corey Wray.
Each groups had possibilities to win late, however it was Kahlina who was the busier of the 2 goalkeepers. His greatest denial got here in opposition to Cedric Teuchert within the seventh-minute of second-half stoppage time, and he additionally needed to deny Brendan McSorley earlier than referee Ismail Elfath lastly blew for full time.
Biel was certainly one of Charlotte’s three double-digit objective scorers in 2025, however he performed solely 48 MLS minutes after late July as he handled a hamstring pressure after which finally a knee harm that ended his season prematurely. With out him, Charlotte fell within the first spherical of the MLS playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Biel confirmed few indicators of rust on the objective that pulled the guests degree.
Wilfried Zaha picked him out within the left aspect of the penalty space with a intelligent move that break up a number of St. Louis defenders. Biel then completed previous Roman Burki from an in depth however tough angle, dispatching his effort across the ‘keeper and contained in the far proper publish.
Hartel put St. Louis in entrance on the hour mark after his aspect’s most crisp assault of the match.
Daniel Edelman performed a ball ahead from the appropriate towards Simon Becher, who had area to push into the penalty space. As an alternative, Becher lower a first-touch move throughout his physique into Hartel’s run on the prime of the penalty arc, and Hartel related on a first-time end previous Kahlina’s dive.
–Area Degree Media
