Charlotte FC extends MLS home unbeaten streak 

CHARLOTTE FC

Archie Goodwin scored his first goals in MLS with a brace in Charlotte FC's 6-1 win against Red Bull New York on March 21. Charlotte is unbeaten at Bank of America Stadium with a pair of wins and a draw in three matches.

Charlotte FC is a tough out at Bank of America Stadium.

The Crown improved to 2-0-1 at home after a 6-1 win Saturday against Red Bull New York to improve to 8 points and fourth in the Eastern Conference at 2-1-2.  Charlotte seized the initiative early and when RBNY’s Gustav Berggren was sent off with a red card, the flood gates opened to the Crown’s club record for goals scored in a match.

“Just saw the intent from the boys were absolutely buzzing,” said Archie Goodwin, who came off the bench to score a pair of goals – his first in MLS. “The boys were flying, winning their battles, and we just looked energetic. And thanks to the home fans as well for giving that extra edge to us. Ran over the top of them in the end.”

Said coach Dean Smith: “Very good day in the office. Good performance. Got the goals that we deserved. Missed some chances as well, and it can be difficult playing against a younger, energetic team like they are. But we, first off, we created some good chances, certainly on the breakaway. … We thought that if we got a couple of passes and switch play early, we could get chances, and we created chances, but there were times that they got bodies back, and we should have stayed on the ball a little bit longer, but we got what we deserved in the end.”

Goodwin, who came on in the second half, recorded his first goals since joining the club during the 2025 summer transfer window after winning the A-League Golden Boot for Adelaide United. 

“It's always the best feeling as a nine, as a striker, to score goals,” he said. “To get the first one, the flood gates are open now, and more to come.” 

Said Smith: “It’s great for him. Number one, he came in last at the end of last season. The qualities are there for you to see with the goals and the finishes that he had today. He works extremely hard in training and been waiting for the chance, and he got his chance today and took it.”

Goodwin’s breakout match was just one of the benefits of Charlotte’s romp. After midfielder Pep Biel’s tally early in the second half boosted the Crown’s advantage to three goals, the competitive phase was all but over. Biel, Charlotte’s best player five games in, was named to MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 5 with two goal contributions (he added an assist) against Red Bull New York. It was Biel’s second nod to Team of the Matchday and his seventh since joining Charlotte FC, trailing only Kristijan Kahlina (eight) for the most in club history.  

Charlotte’s dominance opened the door for Smith to swap in substitutes for valuable playing time ahead of a two-week international break.

“I think once Pep scored that third goal and the lad had got sent off, I thought it was getting out of reach for (Red Bull),” he said. “It was an opportunity to rest some legs but get some of the players on and give them some minutes. Archie took his, David Schnegg came on and did well. So, there’s a lot of players that got minutes and deserve them.”

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