The former Premier League star left a poignant message on his Instagram story before facing off with Lionel Messi.
Wilfried Zaha, a former EPL star playing in MLS and for Charlotte FC for the first time, scored an electrifying goal in the 54th minute as Charlotte FC beat Atlanta United, 2-0, in its 2025 home opener in front of a crowd of 51,
Tadeo Allende scored 17 seconds into the second half and Inter Miami won its third straight match without Lionel Messi, beating Charlotte FC 1-0.
The English Premier League veteran provided the offensive fireworks for Charlotte, which earned its first victory of the 2025 season.
Wilfried Zaha couldn’t have started his MLS tenure any better. Making his Charlotte FC debut in front of over 51,000 fans at Bank of America Stadium, he turned back the years, assisting Liel Abada for the club’s first home goal of 2025 before slotting home a goal on his debut.
Wilfried Zaha was electric in his Charlotte FC debut last weekend, scoring and creating the opener in a 2-0 win over Atlanta United.
Meanwhile, Charlotte FC also sit on four points -- but broke out on Matchday 2 with the emergence of Designate Player and Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha, who sparked them to a 2-0 victory over rivals Atlanta United. Can he stay hot, and can CLT continue their winning ways?
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Charlotte FC knocked off Atlanta United 2–0 to open MLS action in Matchday 2 including a debut goal from Wilfried Zaha.
Miami_Oscar Ustari; Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Yannick Bright, Gonzalo Lujan; Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi (Rocco Rios Novo, 41st), Telasco Segovia (David Ruiz, 60th); Tadeo Allende (David Martinez, 81st), Tomas Aviles (Ian Fray, 46th), Luis Suarez (Federico Redondo, 61st).
Wilfried Zaha was electric in his Charlotte FC debut last weekend, scoring and creating the opener in a 2-0 win over Atlanta United. The scary part, according to MLS Season Pass analyst Bradley Wright-Phillips?
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