Pep Biel scored twice in the second half to help Charlotte FC secure a 3-1 win over Austin FC on Saturday night.
Idan Toklomati also found the net for Charlotte (1-1-1, 4 points), marking their first win of the season.
Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina recorded one save during the match.
Austin took the lead with a Charlotte own goal in the 31st minute. Their keeper, Brad Stuver, saved nine shots from Charlotte. This defeat was Austin’s (1-1-1, 4 points) first without earning points this season.
Biel put Charlotte ahead 2-1 in the 68th minute by converting a cross from Liel Abada in the box for his second goal of the season.
He then secured his third goal of the season in stoppage time with a left-footed shot that beat Stuver.
Charlotte thought they had a second goal earlier when Biel redirected Ashley Westwood’s corner in the 55th minute, but a video review showed that the ball had touched Brandt Bronico’s arm, so the goal was disallowed for handball.
Charlotte dominated possession in the first half with five shots on target, but they went into halftime tied at 1-1.
Austin went down to ten players in the 25th minute when defender Guilherme Biro received a straight red card for a foul on Toklomati.
Charlotte quickly capitalized on the situation, with Toklomati scoring his first of the season in the 29th minute from a cross by Zaha.
However, Charlotte’s lead was short-lived; just two minutes later, a strike from Austin defender Brednan Hines-Ike led to an own goal by Morrison Agyemang.
Next, Charlotte will continue their five-match home stand by facing Miami next Saturday, while Austin will visit Salt Lake.