Six-goal thrillers and last-minute winners: The Crown's best of 2026
By Rylee McKinney - @rylees_roster
The 2026 Regular Season gave Charlotte FC supporters plenty of reasons to celebrate. From statement victories against some of the league's biggest names to historic nights in the Queen City, The Crown delivered some of the most memorable moments in club history.
With the regular season coming to a close, here is a look back at some of TopBin90's favorite Charlotte FC moments of 2026.
1. A Six-Goal Statement Against New York Red Bulls
Few performances summed up Charlotte's attacking potential quite like its 6-1 demolition of the New York Red Bulls.
In front of the home crowd at Bank of America Stadium, The Crown put together a six-goal performance that showcased the depth and firepower of its attack.
Six goals, a convincing win and a packed Bank made for an early-season statement that Charlotte supporters won't forget.
2. All-Star Game Week Puts Charlotte on the Soccer Map
Not every memorable moment of the season came during a Charlotte FC match. The Queen City itself became the center of the American soccer world when it hosted the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.
Having the league's biggest stars descend on Charlotte was a major moment for the city's growing soccer culture. Bank of America Stadium hosted the festivities, bringing national attention to a market that has continued to establish itself as an important part of the MLS landscape.
For Charlotte FC, it was an opportunity to showcase its home, its supporters and the atmosphere that has made the Bank such a difficult place for visiting teams.
3. A Statement Victory Over Pumas
Charlotte opened its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign in style, taking down Mexican side Pumas UNAM 3-0 at Bank of America Stadium.
Despite a lengthy weather delay that pushed kickoff later into the evening, The Crown came out with plenty of energy and controlled much of the contest.
It was an especially encouraging result because of the contributions from Charlotte's depth players. Against a recognizable Liga MX opponent, Charlotte delivered one of its most complete performances of the summer.
4. Maxi Announces Himself in Atlanta
Allan Saint-Maximin's arrival in Charlotte brought plenty of excitement, but his first major attacking contribution for The Crown made the wait worthwhile.
In Charlotte's 2-0 road victory over Atlanta United, Maxi recorded two assists, helping Charlotte secure another important road result.
His speed, creativity and ability to beat defenders added another dimension to the Crown's offense. It offered a glimpse of what Saint-Maximin could bring to Charlotte's attack and gave supporters plenty of reasons to be excited about the rest of the season.
5. A Historic Night for the Queen City: Charlotte FC 6-0 Charlotte Independence
There was more than just a place in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 on the line when Charlotte FC and the Charlotte Independence met for the first time in competitive action.
The inaugural Charlotte Derby marked a historic occasion for soccer in the Queen City, bringing together its two professional men's clubs for a matchup that supporters had been waiting to see.
Charlotte FC ultimately made sure there was little doubt about the result, cruising to a 6-0 victory.
While the final score made it a one-sided affair, the significance of the occasion went beyond the scoreboard. For the first time, Charlotte's two professional men's teams shared the field in a competitive match, creating a new chapter in the city's soccer history.
6. The Comeback of the Season Against FC Dallas
If there was one match that demonstrated Charlotte's resilience in 2026, it was the dramatic comeback against FC Dallas.
With the postseason approaching, The Crown found themselves in serious trouble at Bank of America Stadium. Dallas took a 2-0 lead, leaving Charlotte with plenty of work to do.
But Dean Smith's side refused to give up.
Charlotte sparked the comeback with two goals to level the score before finding one final moment of magic in stoppage time to complete the turnaround.
Coming back from two goals down was a massive result and the kind of late-season performance that can define a team's identity heading into the playoffs.
7. Liel Abada's Unforgettable 16-Minute Hat Trick
Some performances are impossible to forget, and Liel Abada delivered one of those moments in Charlotte's 4-0 victory over CF Montréal.
With a playoff spot on the line, Charlotte had already taken the lead when Dean Smith turned to Abada off the bench.
The Israeli winger wasted absolutely no time making an impact.
Abada found the back of the net three times in just 16 minutes, delivering one of the season's most memorable individual performances.
It was the third hat trick in Charlotte FC history and the fastest in club history.
Coming off the bench and completely changing the game in less than 20 minutes, Abada delivered a performance that quieted any of his doubters.
8. A Halloween Treat Against Orlando City
Charlotte closed out its home regular-season schedule with a performance worthy of the occasion, dismantling Orlando City 4-0 on Halloween.
Coming off another convincing victory just days earlier, The Crown carried that momentum into another dominant home performance.
Charlotte's attack was firing on all cylinders, while the defense kept Orlando from finding a way back into the match.
What made the performance particularly impressive was how many different players contributed. The victory gave Charlotte back-to-back 4-0 wins at home, an impressive way to build momentum heading into the postseason.
