CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Enzo Copetti scored twice in the first half and Charlotte FC used an own-goal by Richard Ledezma in the second half to beat New York City FC 3-2 on Saturday night.
Copetti used assists from McKinze Gaines and Ashley Westwood in the 8th minute to score his third goal of the season and give Charlotte (3-5-3) an early lead.
NYCFC (4-4-3) evened the score in the 37th minute on a goal by Gabriel Pereira. Ledezma and Thiago Martins picked up assists on Pereira’s third netter of the season.
Copetti scored for a second time just two minutes later off a corner kick by Justin Meram and Charlotte took a 2-1 lead into halftime.
NYCFC’s Santiago Rodríguez scored on a penalty kick in the 57th minute, knotting the score at 2-2 with his fourth goal of the campaign.
Ledezma’s own-goal came in the 72nd minute off a free kick by Charlotte’s Karol Swiderski.
Charlotte has won three straight against NYCFC, which has lost seven of its last 10 away from home.
Charlotte outshot NYCFC, but the visitors had a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Kristijan Kahlina finished with four saves for Charlotte. Luis Barraza saved one shot for NYCFC.
NYCFC travels to play the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. Charlotte travels to play Atlanta United on Saturday. ____
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