MLS: Choupo-Moting and Zaha convert from the spot; Bamba scores first MLS goal in Fire defeat

Charlotte FC forward Wilfried Zaha before Charlotte FC's match against Nashville on Saturday. Photo Credit: Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC looked set to drop points at home to Nashville SC in Saturday's opening match of Matchday 7 from Major League Soccer but star Wilfried Zaha stayed calm to spark a comeback.

Down 0-1, the Ivorian converted an 85th minute penalty kick to level for the hosts before substitute Idan Toklomati won it for Charlotte in stoppage time. Zaha sent Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis the wrong way on his spot kick for his second goal in six matches since joining on loan from Turkish giants Galatasaray.

Later on, Eric Choupo-Moting was faced with a similar situation for hosts New York Red Bulls against Chicago Fire and the Cameroonian forward also delivered.

The recently turned 36-year-old now has three goals in his last four matches for the Red Bulls as Choupo-Moting continues to show why he has been a good fit at many top clubs.

Choupo-Moting's match winner at the end of the first half after Serge Ngoma cancelled out a first Major League Soccer goal for Jonathan Bamba. The Ivorian attacker, who previously collected four assists in his first six matches with Chicago, got behind the Red Bulls defense to open the scoring with a calm finish.

All three African players are new signings this season as Major League Soccer continues with the early part of its season. The Red Bulls and Fire are in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference while Zaha's Charlotte are off to a strong start, sitting fourth in the East with 13 points from 7 matches.