Kerwin Vargas’ purpose the distinction as streaking Charlotte FC shut out Red Bulls

Kerwin Vargas scored in the 30th minute and Charlotte FC defeated the visiting New York Red Bulls 1-0 on Sunday night to extend their MLS winning streak to seven matches.

Kristijan Kahlina made four stops to keep his and Charlotte’s fourth consecutive MLS clean sheet and preserve a win that moved The Crown (15-11-2, 47 points) into fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, above Orlando on the first tiebreak of total wins.

The victory also snapped Charlotte’s seven-match winless run against the Red Bulls in MLS play.

New York (11-11-6, 39 points) outshot the hosts 14-4 overall and 4-2 in efforts on target but still fell to its ninth away loss in 14 matches this season.

Despite the defeat, the Red Bulls finished the weekend in ninth in the East after beginning it in 10th, moving above Chicago on goal difference after the Fire lost 4-0 at Philadelphia on Saturday.

New York had the majority of the first-half chances but fell behind on Charlotte’s only shot before the break.

The chance arrived when Idan Toklomati intercepted Mohammed Sofo’s ill-advised pass near the center circle to create a transition opportunity.

Toklomati dribbled forward toward the penalty arc, then laid the ball into the path of Vargas’ run on the right. Vargas took a controlling touch, then powered a shot from 12 yards that beat Carlos Coronel to his top near corner.

Toklomati had Charlotte’s best chance to double the advantage in the 71st minute after he rounded his defender on the left and created a 2-on-1 break. He could’ve potentially laid the pass across goal, but instead saw Coronel deny the shot from close range.

The Red Bulls came closest to leveling eight minutes later directly from Raheem Edwards’ inswinging corner kick. Kahlina appeared to misjudge the service but reacted in time to push it onto the crossbar.

The visitors had one more chance in second-half stoppage time when Emil Forsberg reached a cross at the edge of the 6-yard box. But he sent an off-balance header over the bar.

–Field Level Media