Allan Saint-Maximin announced his arrival in Major League Soccer in spectacular fashion, scoring his first league goal from an almost impossible angle in the 71st minute to fire Charlotte FC to a thrilling 2-1 victory over D.C. United on Saturday in Washington.
Ashley Westwood scored Charlotte’s opener and assisted the winner as the visitors extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches, going 5-0-3 during that run.
Charlotte broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute after D.C. failed to clear Saint-Maximin’s delivery into the penalty area. The loose ball fell to Westwood, who drove a right-footed strike into the top corner for his third goal of the season.
D.C. nearly responded three minutes later, but Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina produced a sliding save to deny Louis Munteanu.
The hosts eventually drew level shortly after halftime when Keisuke Kurokawa’s free kick found Lucas Bartlett, who headed home in the 47th minute for his third goal of the campaign.
Then came Saint-Maximin’s moment.
The Frenchman collected a pass from Westwood deep on the left side of the penalty area before somehow squeezing a left-footed strike inside the far post from a seemingly impossible angle. He celebrated his first MLS goal with a backflip.
The goal added to Saint-Maximin’s five assists since joining Charlotte as a Designated Player.
D.C. threw everything forward in search of another equaliser, finishing with 34 shots, but Kahlina produced 10 saves to preserve Charlotte’s victory.
The result improved Charlotte to 12-7-7 with 43 points and extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.
D.C., meanwhile, dropped to 6-8-11 with 29 points and have now won just twice in their last 14 games as they continue their push to end a six-year MLS playoff drought.
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