Club’s newest Designated Player earns his first MLS Team of the Matchday honor after scoring in his CLTFC debut at Bank of America Stadium
CHARLOTTE, NC (Monday, March 3, 2025) – Charlotte FC forward Wilfried Zaha was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday following a strong debut performance, in which he scored the Club’s second goal in a 2-0 win over rivals Atlanta United FC at Bank of America Stadium.
Defender Andrew Privett began a counterattack early into the second period, lofting a through ball that deflected off an Atlanta defender and landed at the feet of Zaha in stride towards goal. The winger took his defender on and cut in at the top of the 18-yard box, opening up space for Pep Biel to receive the ball off a slight deflection and slot home a shot at the far post to take a 1-0 lead.
Minutes later, winger Liel Abada made a run in the box and got off a shot on frame, but goalkeeper Brad Guzan met his attempt and punched it away. Zaha found the rebound near the penalty spot and hit a one-time, right-footed finish past the Atlanta goalkeeper to earn himself CLTFC Man of the Match, presented by Hendrick Lexus Dealers.
Zaha joined The Crown on loan from Turkish club Galatasaray S.K. this January where he made 43 appearances across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and adding five assists in a title winning campaign. The winger spent a majority of his career in the English Premier League with Crystal Palace, tallying 90 goals and 52 assists across 458 matches for the Eagles.
For the full MLS Team of the Matchday, please see below:
F: Brian White (VAN), Tai Baribo (PHI), Luis Suárez (MIA)
M: Wilfried Zaha (CLT), Emil Forsberg (RBNY), César Araújo (ORL), Telasco Segovia (MIA)
D: Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC), Michael Boxall (MIN), Mohamed Farsi (CLB)
GK: Chris Brady (CHI)
Coach: Bradley Carnell (PHI)
Bench: James Pantemis (POR), Alex Freeman (ORL), Jeppe Tverskov (SD), Quinn Sullivan (PHI), David Da Costa (POR), Kelvin Yeboah (MIN), Rafael Navarro (VAN), Petar Musa (DAL), Hugo Cuypers (CHI)
Charlotte FC returns to action this Sunday, March 9, as the Crown travels to face Lionel Messi and reigning Supporters’ Shield champions Inter Miami CF. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium.
The Club returns home on March 15 against FC Cincinnati at 7:30 p.m. ET.
BACK IN BLACK
CHARLOTTE FC VS. FC CINCINNATI | MARCH 15 | 7:30 P.M.
SEE YOU AT THE FORTRESS.
