Wilfried Zaha made his long awaited Major League Soccer debut on Saturday after missing Charlotte FC's opening match last week and it was worth the wait for the club's supporters.
The Ivorian attacker was involved in both goals from Charlotte's 2-0 home victory over Atlanta United. Operating on the left wing, Zaha cut inside early in the second half before setting up Spanish playmaker Pep Biel for the opening goal in the 50th minute.
Later in the second half, the 32-year-old on loan from Galatasaray then scored. After an initial shot was punched into the air by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan, Zaha waited for the ball to drop before striking a volley that was well placed to beat the former United States national team shot stopper and clinch victory for the hosts.
"I was able to witness the birth of my daughter this week, so it gave me extra power. The group is great...the whole team is working hard and we got the win that we needed. It's a statement (to defeat Atlanta United)...we mean business," Zaha said in a post match interview. Zaha and Charlotte will face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami next Sunday in what is sure to be an intriguing clash.
Comments