10%

REWRITING HISTORY

THE CROWN'S JOURNEY TO 8 STRAIGHT MLS WINS

By Charlotte FC Isaiah Bennett

Let's set the scene.

July 5, 2025.

The night ended in a lamenting tie to Orlando City at home, a match where all three points should have been for The Crown. While sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference, Charlotte FC and their supporters were presented with this thought: "Will we have a chance to make the playoffs?"

Since then, The Crown answered the question.

In historic fashion.

MATCH #1: CHARLOTTE FC 2-0 NEW YORK CITY FC

07.12.25

The match that started it all. A chance to get back up and climb the ranks. And indeed, that is what happened. The Crown were ready to strike early.

Even with the lead, the match hung in the balance. NYCFC controlled the majority of possession with chances to tie it up.

Then Kerwin Vargas happened.

Vargas' goal secured the win for The Crown and gave Charlotte FC three points back in the table.

MATCH #2: CHARLOTTE FC 2-1 D.C. UNITED

07.16.25

Four days later, The Crown were back on the pitch at Bank of America Stadium.

The Crown presented their newest kit, the Heritage Kit. A piece that pays homage to soccer history in the Carolinas. With a new, vibrant tribute to the Carolina Lightnin’, the Queen City’s first professional soccer team, the squad took the energy in The Fortress and left their mark.

Pep Biel was in his MVP form and led the way with his first-ever MLS Brace. His 19 goal contributions were tied for 6th in the league following his performance...

which led The Crown to their second victory in a row, defeating D.C. United 2-1.

MATCH #3: CHARLOTTE FC 3-2 ATLANTA UNITED FC

07.19.25

The battle of I-85. A matchup that is circled twice on the calendar every year. With momentum heading into this match, The Crown were prepared for a showdown.

Only two things on their minds: handle business and silence the team down south.

And that’s exactly what happened.

A man-of-the-match performance from Wilfried Zaha and another three-goal contribution night from Pep Biel were the difference.

First, a second-half surge from Idan Toklomati, right from the whistle, opened the scoring in the 46th minute. Soon after, Wilfried Zaha was able to seize a golden opportunity and showcase the true strength of the squad.

Pep Biel scored a third goal from a brilliant buildup of play. He provided the final silencer to what became a fantastic night for Charlotte.

The Crown captured their third straight victory while taking the season sweep of Atlanta.

MATCH #4: CHARLOTTE FC 2-0 TORONTO FC

07.26.25

As The Crown continued to make their surge to a playoff position, a battle from the north presented itself.

With two chances that hit the crossbar within the first 20 minutes, the match was left 0-0 at half. Once back on the pitch, Head Coach Dean Smith found an opportunity to provide a spark in the 60th minute, which came from Idan Toklomati.

Five minutes later, Kerwin Vargas doubled the lead on a play from Wilfried Zaha. The energy in The Fortress was undeniable.

This proved to be enough, as Charlotte FC's win streak extended to four, the most wins in a row in club history.

MATCH #5: CHARLOTTE FC 1-0 FC CINCINNATI

08.10.25

A match where defense and persistence took over.

Cincinnati were second in the East, and CLTFC were the visitors. Nathan Byrne had returned from injury during the Leagues Cup, and Charlotte FC's defense was back to full strength.

And they needed to be. Ashley Westwood (yellow card accumulation) and Pep Biel (injury) were out. The odds were stacked against The Crown.

A highly defensive game from both sides took a turn when Brian Anunga was issued a red card, and Cincinnati went down to 10 players. With some adjustments from Dean Smith, the ball found a sweet spot, and Wilfried Zaha capitalized on an assist from Idan Toklomati in the 85th minute.

During this match, Kristijan Kahlina reminded everyone watching why he won the 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. He made seven saves and secured another clean sheet for the squad.

Number #2 in the East goes down.

Let's make that FIVE STRAIGHT WINS.

MATCH #6: CHARLOTTE FC 1-0 REAL SALT LAKE

A matchup against Salt Lake presented itself as another chance to secure three more points and climb the Eastern Conference ladder.

In the 35th minute, Idan Toklomati continued his scoring prowess with an aerial attack and finish. His lone goal proved to be enough to win the battle at The Fortress.

And a warm welcome to Queen city for newcomer, Harry Toffolo.

Six straight wins.

Three consecutive clean sheets.

The Crown are rolling.

MATCH #7: CHARLOTTE FC 1-0 NEW YORK RED BULLS

08.24.25

An eastern conference showdown between two teams within 5 points on the standings provided much-needed motivation to keep the streak alive.

As the match unfolded, a turnover led to an Idan Toklomati assist for Kerwin Vargas in the 30th minute.

In the waning minutes, another newcomer from Australia, Archie Goodwin, was able to make his debut for The Crown.

The lone goal from Idan was all that was needed for the win to create an 8-point separation in the standings....

and extend the win streak to 7.

The victory also secured the most wins at The Fortress ever in a season for Charlotte FC.

MATCH #8: CHARLOTTE FC 2-1 NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

08.30.25

Another chance to stack wins against a very scrappy New England side. A side Charlotte FC had never before beaten on the road.

The fast-paced match saw the likes of Brandt Bronico give The Crown the lead in the 12th minute.

New England responded right back in the 24th minute, and the match was in the balance for the remainder of the game. That was until the high-flying Idan came through in the 87th minute to capture the lead and win.

Toklomati has been creating his own name within the MLS. In these eight games, he is credited with seven goal contributions: five goals and two assists.

Throughout the winning streak, defense was the key to matching our offense’s production. There have been 5 clean sheets, and a ton of breath-taking saves from Kristijan Kahlina and the backline.

With the current outlook of the league, Charlotte FC sit third in the Eastern Conference and have been rewriting history in every match. As playoffs loom in the background, the streak is back on the line this weekend against Inter Miami on September 13 at The Fortress.

Can The Crown defeat Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and tie MLS history with nine unbeaten MLS matches post 2000?

#ForTheCrown

Button Label

Story Told With

Start publishing stories like this