Karol Świderski scored his first two career MLS goals to fuel host Charlotte FC to their first win in franchise history, courtesy of a 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Świderski's goal in the sixth minute was the first at home for Charlotte FC (1-3-0, 3 points), who were shut out by the Los Angeles Galaxy on March 5 in front of an MLS record-high 74,749 fans at Bank of America Stadium.
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— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) March 19, 2022
Świderski also tallied in the 57th minute before setting up rookie Benjamin Bender's goal seven minutes later. The tally was the first in the career for Bender, the top overall pick of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
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— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) March 20, 2022
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Ben Baller with the banger #CLTvNE pic.twitter.com/KPdKkbv4Ex— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) March 20, 2022
Kristijan Kahlina made four saves for Charlotte FC, who benefited from a New England side that was playing in its fifth match (three MLS, two CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal clashes) in 15 days.
Captain Carles Gil converted a penalty kick in the 54th minute and Earl Edwards Jr. finished with two saves for the Revolution (1-2-1, 4 points), who fell to 1-3-4 in their last eight matches against expansion sides. Kahlina received a yellow card after committing a foul on New England's Matt Polster in the 52nd minute. Gil wasted little time sending a shot past Kahlina to forge a 1-1 tie with his team-leading second goal of the season.
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Capiii equalizes. pic.twitter.com/T9ERe4xQNb— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 20, 2022
Świderski needed just three minutes to complete his brace and regain the lead after depositing Bender's centering feed past a diving Edwards Jr. Świderski quickly returned the favor for Bender, who provided the finish on a bouncing pass.
Charlotte FC didn't take long to bring their fans to their feet on Saturday. Alan Franco set up Świderski at the top of the box, and the latter unleashed a shot that bounced past Edwards and inside the left post.
HISTORY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 20, 2022
