Charlotte 3–1 Columbus Crew

Charlotte needed less than ten minutes to settle this one. B. Bronico struck in the opening minute and L. Abada doubled the lead in the ninth, leaving Columbus Crew chasing the game from a near-impossible position inside Bank of America Stadium. C. Adams pulled one back for the visitors just before half-time to keep a pulse in it, but Pep Biel killed off any hope of a Columbus comeback with a cool finish in the 73rd. The 3-1 final extends Charlotte's winning habit — three victories in their last five Major League Soccer outings, pushing them to 28 points — while Columbus, sitting on 20 points after an inconsistent run, now hold the unwanted distinction of losing in every meeting they have had against this Charlotte side. Biel's goal, arriving with the Crew pressing for an equalizer, is the one that decides it. Watch it.