Despite steady rain, Crown Legacy FC couldn’t hold on to a two goal cushion as a Carolina Core FC academy call-up’s first professional goal forced a penalty shootout at the Matthews Sportsplex on Saturday, September 12.
While Charlotte FC’s first team was up in Cincinnati dealing with a pitch-invading squirrel of its own during a wild 3-3 draw, Crown Legacy had its own kind of chaos to handle back home — just of the four-legged, invited variety. It was Pups Night at the Sportsplex, and it was raining cats and dogs to match.
Crown Legacy FC and Carolina Core FC played to a 2-2 draw on Saturday night, with Carolina Core taking the extra point after winning the shootout 4-3. The Foxes won the previous two meetings between the teams this year, with a 2 (4) - 2 (2) shootout win in April, and a 2-0 victory in June.
Carolina Core have dominated the I-85 derby, winning the season series all three years with 4 outright wins, 4 shootout wins, and only one loss. Crown Legacy have never won a penalty shootout against the Foxes in four attempts, and their lone victory came last season on April 26 with a 1-2 win in High Point.
MLS NEXT Pro
Crown Legacy FC vs. Carolina Core FC
September 12, 2026
Sportsplex at Matthews
Final Score
Crown Legacy FC 2 - 2 Carolina Core FC
Carolina Core win shootout 3-4
Crown Legacy Goals
Brian Romero 28’ (Assist: Subotic)
Magic Smalls 32’ (Mbongue)
Carolina Core Goals
Thomas Raimbault 47’ (Weber)
Jay Stewart 87’ (Hammond)
Crown Legacy looked like the team best equipped to handle the wet conditions early, building a 2-0 halftime lead behind Brian Romero’s opener in the 28th minute (assisted by Andrej Subotic) and Magic Smalls doubling it four minutes later off a deflection in front of goal (assisted by Hugo Mbongue).
Carolina Core responded immediately out of the break. Substitute Thomas Raimbault, who came on at halftime for an injured Nicholas Kaloukian, scored less than two minutes into the second half off a Tristan Weber assist to make it 2-1.
From there, Crown Legacy controlled the run of play — finishing with 60% possession, 23 shots and 12 corners — but couldn’t find the third goal to put the match away.
That opening allowed the Foxes to find a way back. Jay Stewart, who entered the match just nine minutes earlier, converted a Seth Hammond delivery in the 87th minute for the equalizer for his first professional goal, scored after a midweek call-up from the Core’s academy.
The match ended 2-2 in regulation. MLS NEXT Pro rules send drawn matches straight to penalties.
Carolina Core Come Back to win Shootout, Too
After the home team’s Sebastian Ventura kicked off the shootout with a goal, Crown Legacy keeper Jahiem Wickham saved Ryan Baer’s attempt for the Core. Both teams converted in the second round, with Hugo Mbongue and Corey Lundeen making their shots.
In the third round Ty Barnett missed his attempt for Crown Legacy, and Andrew Czech took advantage of the opportunity to equalize, putting the score level at 2-2. Carolina Core went ahead in the fourth round, with their goalkeeper Nolan Anderson saving Barzee Blama’s attempt. Ricks Ford put the Core ahead, 2-3.
In the final round, both Adrian Gutierrez and Charles Orbaugh converted from the spot. Orbaugh’s goal ended the affair as Carolina Core completed the comeback in the shootout, winning 4-3.
The Numbers Behind the Result
Crown Legacy’s underlying performance told a different story than the final result. The club out-shot Carolina Core 23-10 and out-cornered them 12-3, while Carolina Core scored twice on just five shots on target.
It’s the kind of match where the numbers point to a team that did enough to win but couldn’t finish the job — the extra point went to the visitors regardless.
Decision Day Looms
Both the Legacy and the Foxes return to action on Decision Day, Sunday, September 20 at 2:00 PM — and both clubs will travel to Ohio.
The Foxes will take on Columbus Crew 2 at Historic Crew Stadium, while Crown Legacy will face FC Cincinnati 2 at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium.
With a +11 advantage in goal differential over second place Chattanooga, Crown Legacy can effectively clinch first place in the Eastern Conference with a win on Decision Day. The Legacy can’t finish below second.
While 4th place Crew 2 are guaranteed a postseason spot, they still have something to play for as well. They’re only 3 points north of 9th place Connecticut United FC, and CT United could complicate the Crew’s path should they win big and/or the Crew lose big.
Both 14th Place Carolina Core FC and 15th Place FC Cincinnati 2 are eliminated from the playoffs and can’t improve their spot on the table.
