Wilfried Zaha Impresses in MLS with Key Role in Charlotte’s Comeback Victory

Wilfried Zaha led Charlotte to a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Nashville in Major League Soccer, with the home side scoring twice in the final five minutes.

Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, finishing a lengthy team move by tapping in a cross from Daniel Lovitz at the back post.

Zaha, who is on loan from Turkish side Galatasaray and previously played for Crystal Palace, brought Charlotte level in the 85th minute, confidently converting a penalty after being brought down in the box by Andy Najar.

In a dramatic final minute of normal time, Charlotte’s Spanish midfielder Pep Biel played a lofted ball over the top, finding Idan Gorno Toklomati, who rounded the keeper Joe Willis and slotted the ball into an empty net.

This victory leaves Charlotte, managed by ex-Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Meanwhile, USA midfielder Diego Luna netted twice as Real Salt Lake handed defending champions Los Angeles Galaxy their fifth defeat in seven matches.

The Galaxy’s dismal start to the season now sees them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, just months after triumphing over the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup to claim their sixth title.

Luna, who is catching the eye of USA coach Mauricio Pochettino’s staff, opened the scoring for RSL in the 21st minute and doubled his tally with an opportunistic finish just five minutes later.

The talented Californian has recently earned a spot in the USA national team and played in the recent CONCACAF Nations League match, where they suffered a third-place defeat to Canada.

Sporting Kansas City parted ways with their long-serving coach Peter Vermes on Monday, concluding his 16-year tenure with the club he also played for, following a winless start to the season.

Vermes was succeeded on an interim basis by his former assistant Kerry Zavagnin, who celebrated a win in his first outing as head coach.

Serbian striker Dejan Joveljic scored twice to secure a derby victory over St. Louis City.

Croatian forward Petr Musa grabbed the equaliser for FC Dallas during their 1-1 draw at Atlanta United, while New York Red Bulls triumphed 2-1 over Chicago.

The Vancouver Whitecaps, leading the Western Conference, may be on the market, but they continued their good start to the season with their fifth win in seven games, defeating Colorado Rapids 2-0.

Vancouver took the lead in the 19th minute through striker Brian White and then increased their advantage seven minutes before half-time with a well-executed move finished by Emmanuel Sabbi.

Mexican international Hirving Lozano scored his first goal for the impressive newcomers San Diego as they secured a 3-0 victory over Western stalwarts Seattle Sounders.

Dane Jeppe Tverskov opened the scoring just 1 minute and 21 seconds into the match, followed by Panama international Anibal Godoy, who made it 2-0 with a side-foot finish in the 41st minute.

Just before the break, Lozano, formerly of PSV Eindhoven and Napoli, found the net to seal victory for San Diego, leaving them second in the West, just two points behind Vancouver.

Los Angeles FC’s challenging start to the season continued with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of struggling Houston, with Jack McGlynn’s fine solo strike from the edge of the box deciding the match.

This Wednesday, Inter Miami will host a CONCACAF Champions Cup second-leg tie against LAFC, trailing 1-0 from the first leg, before facing Toronto at home on Sunday.