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Columbus Crew top Charlotte FC 4-2 to maintain Eastern Conference lead

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MAY 03: Jacen Russell-Rowe #19 of the Columbus Crew celebrates scoring Columbus Crew forth goal of the MLS match during the second half against the Charlotte FC at Lower.com Field on May 03, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Dylan Chambost scored the game’s first goal and helped lead a balanced attack by the Eastern Conference leading Columbus Crew who beat Charlotte FC 4-2 on Saturday.

Chambost scored with a left-footed shot from the center of the box at 25 minutes to put Columbus (7-1-3) ahead 1-0. Chambost put it in from short distance after Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina failed to secure a save on a shot by Diego Rossi. Kahlina also failed to clear the zone and kicked it back to the Crew to set up the score.


Rossi made it 2-0 on a penalty kick at 39 minutes following a foul by Liel Abada.

Wilfried Zaha put Charlotte (6-4-1) on the board with a penalty kick in the second minute of extra time in the first half shaving the deficit to a goal.

Aziel Jackson made it a two-goal advantage again with a shot from the center of the box with a right boot at the 51st.

Abada atoned for his earlier foul scoring at the 64th from the right side of the box to get Charlotte within 3-2.

Jacen Russell-Rowe’s header at the 81st put the Crew back up a pair to end the scoring.