Deadspin | Kristijan Kahlina’s net play helps Charlotte tie St. Louis City

Kristijan Kahlina made 10 saves, together with three essential late denials, to assist Charlotte FC protect a 1-1 draw at St. Louis City in each groups’ season opener on Saturday afternoon.

Pep Biel scored within the second half of his first look since final September for Charlotte, which prolonged St. Louis’ winless streak in house openers to a few seasons and spoiled Yoann Damet’s full-time managerial debut.

Marcel Hartel, who had 9 targets and 6 assists final season, put St. Louis in entrance early within the second half because the membership started a brand new period with Damet and new sporting director Corey Wray.

Each groups had probabilities to win late, however it was Kahlina who was the busier of the 2 goalkeepers. His finest denial got here in opposition to Cedric Teuchert within the seventh-minute of second-half stoppage time, and he additionally needed to deny Brendan McSorley earlier than referee Ismail Elfath lastly blew for full time.

Biel was certainly one of Charlotte’s three double-digit aim scorers in 2025, however he performed solely 48 MLS minutes after late July as he handled a hamstring pressure after which ultimately a knee harm that ended his season prematurely. With out him, Charlotte fell within the first spherical of the MLS playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Biel confirmed few indicators of rust on the aim that pulled the guests stage.

Wilfried Zaha picked him out within the left facet of the penalty space with a intelligent cross that break up a number of St. Louis defenders. Biel then completed previous Roman Burki from a detailed however difficult angle, dispatching his effort across the ‘keeper and contained in the far proper submit.

Hartel put St. Louis in entrance on the hour mark after his facet’s most crisp assault of the match.

Daniel Edelman performed a ball ahead from the fitting towards Simon Becher, who had area to push into the penalty space. As a substitute, Becher minimize a first-touch cross throughout his physique into Hartel’s run on the prime of the penalty arc, and Hartel linked on a first-time end previous Kahlina’s dive.

–Subject Degree Media