Dean Smith described Pep Biel as Charlotte FC’s “little magician” after he broke the goal contribution record for the Crown in MLS.

Biel scored a penalty during Charlotte’s enthralling 3-3 draw with FC Cincinnati last time out, taking him to 49 goal involvements and past Karol Swiderski’s previous record. 

The Spaniard also tied Swiderski for the most goals in an MLS season in Charlotte’s history (12), but his achievement was overshadowed by failing to claim all three points.

Biel’s penalty came after Liel Abada had cancelled out Pavel Bucha’s second-minute opener, with Kevin Denkey levelling things up for Cincinnati six minutes after the restart.

Idan Toklomati restored Charlotte’s advantage, but in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Denkey popped up with his second of the match to seal a share of the spoils.

Charlotte remain in fourth in the Eastern Conference ahead of this weekend’s clash with D.C. United, and Smith was quick to praise Biel for his impact since joining the club.

“It’s a great fillip for him,” Smith said. “He’s been excellent since he’s been here. The balance that he has, the technical ability that he has.

“He deserves it because he has been excellent since he has been here. His standards are always up there, and you know, he keeps pushing himself to get better. 

“He’s important, he’s our little magician. He just has moments of wonderful play. He’s got that in abundance, understands the game, and I am pleased for him.”

No hay comparación

Pep Biel now holds the Club’s 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝! pic.twitter.com/3sMYheaH5p

— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) September 14, 2026

D.C., meanwhile, extended their unbeaten league run to three matches after playing out a goalless draw with Atlanta United at Audi Field.

It was a game where D.C. may feel they got away with a point, having only registered an expected goals (xG) total of 0.19 from four attempts, to Atlanta’s 1.62 from 20 shots.

Rene Weiler’s side are now three points adrift of the postseason places, and the D.C. boss acknowledged some of his players failed to deliver last time out.

“It was, in the end, a good result, but we didn’t play a good game,” Weiler said. “Some key players didn’t perform how they have to perform in our squad.”

Weiler’s comments were echoed by Andre Dozzell, who highlighted his team’s inability to retain possession as something they needed to work on in the coming days.

“No game is easy in this league,” midfielder Dozzell added. “We’ll take the positives from defending, but, of course, we’ve got to be better on the ball.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Tai Baribo

Eight of Baribo’s team-leading 14 MLS goals this season have come in home matches.

The last player to have more home regular-season goals in his first season with D.C. was Wayne Rooney in 2018 (12).

Charlotte – Pep Biel

Biel has recorded 20+ goal contributions in each of his last two seasons, becoming the first player in Charlotte history to do so.

His 21 goal contributions this season are the second most in a single regular season in club history, behind Biel’s 22 in 2025.

Breaking records and he’s not done yet  pic.twitter.com/9GaL1l6Yoq

— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) September 13, 2026

MATCH PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE WIN

Charlotte have won five straight regular-season meetings with D.C., outscoring them 10-2 in those matches, while limiting D.C. to one goal or less in seven of the nine all-time MLS meetings. D.C. last scored multiple goals in a league match against Charlotte in April 2023.

The Crown have also scored multiple goals in each of their last four road matches after doing so three times in their first eight away matches this season. The four-game run is Charlotte’s longest streak of multi-goal away matches across all competitions in club history.

With a scoreless draw against Atlanta, D.C. have kept clean sheets in two of their last three matches. D.C. have six shutouts during the 2026 regular season, equalling their total from the 2024 and 2025 regular seasons combined.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 36.8%

Draw – 24.5%

Charlotte – 38.8%