Pep Biel scored once and set up another, Kerwin Vargas added two assists, and Charlotte FC beat Toronto FC 3-1 on Saturday night as Wilfried Zaha, Derrick Etienne Jr., David Schnegg and Biel (penalty) all found the net.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.. — Charlotte FC needed a response after Toronto struck just three minutes after falling behind, and it got exactly that.. With Pep Biel playing a central role and Kerwin Vargas fueling the attack again. Charlotte shook off the early setback to beat Toronto FC 3-1 in Major League Soccer play on Saturday night.
Wilfried Zaha delivered the first punch for Charlotte in the 19th minute, scoring with assists from Vargas and Biel. It was Zaha’s third goal of the season and his 13th in 43 career appearances. Biel’s contribution on the play marked his fifth assist.
Toronto answered quickly. Derrick Etienne Jr. took a pass from Jonathan Osorio three minutes later and scored for the second time to tie the match 1-1. Etienne now has 22 goals in 229 career matches, while Osorio’s assist was his third, matching his total in each of the past two seasons.
Charlotte regained control in the 35th minute. Vargas provided his third assist of the season, setting up defender David Schnegg for his first goal for the club. Schnegg’s only other goal had come in 2024 with D. C. United.
The final margin came late and in sharp fashion.. Biel capped the scoring on a penalty kick in the 84th minute after Morrison Agyemang was fouled by Osorio.. It was Biel’s seventh goal. and it extended his impact to 39 goal contributions for Charlotte—20 netters in his time with the club. just one off Karol Swiderski’s club record.
Between the posts, Kristijan Kahlina made three saves for Charlotte. Luka Gavran stopped two shots for Toronto.
Toronto played on the road for the first time since March 8 and dropped to 1-3-0 away from home. after posting 2-2-5 during a nine-match homestand.. Charlotte improved to 4-2-2 at home.. The series remains in Charlotte’s favor, with Charlotte leading Toronto 5-3-1, including a 4-1-0 record at home.. Toronto’s only win in Charlotte came on its first trip to town in 2022, when it won 2-0.
Biel’s night. Vargas’s steady creation. and the sequence of goals mapped out the turning points: Zaha’s 19th-minute opener (assisted by Vargas and Biel). Etienne’s equalizer three minutes later from Osorio’s pass. Schnegg’s first club goal from Vargas’s third assist in the 35th minute. and then Biel converting the 84th-minute penalty after Osorio fouled Morrison Agyemang to close it out.
Next for Toronto, it visits the Chicago Fire on Saturday, May 23. Charlotte hosts the New England Revolution on Saturday, May 23.
Charlotte FC Toronto FC Pep Biel Kerwin Vargas Wilfried Zaha Derrick Etienne Jr. David Schnegg MLS