Pep Biel scores Charlotte FC’s first goal of 2026 in 1-1 opener at St. Louis
Charlotte opens its fifth MLS season with a road point as Biel answers Hartel at Energizer Park
Charlotte FC began the 2026 Major League Soccer regular season Saturday, Feb. 21, with a 1-1 draw at St. Louis CITY SC, a match that also served as Charlotte’s first game of the club’s fifth MLS season. The equalizer—finished by midfielder Pep Biel in the 73rd minute—was Charlotte’s first goal of the new campaign.
The match was scoreless at halftime after St. Louis generated the bulk of the early pressure. St. Louis finished with a 22-9 edge in total shots and an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal, forcing Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina into 10 saves across the afternoon. Despite those numbers, Charlotte left with a point after converting one of its limited clear chances.
How the goals happened
St. Louis broke through in the 60th minute when Marcel Hartel scored to put the hosts in front. Charlotte responded 13 minutes later: Wilfried Zaha played a through ball into space and Biel ran onto it, finishing low to level the match at 1-1.
60’ — St. Louis: Marcel Hartel scored to make it 1-0.
73’ — Charlotte: Pep Biel scored off a Zaha assist to make it 1-1.
St. Louis pushed for a late winner, including chances in stoppage time, but Kahlina preserved the draw. St. Louis also held advantages in expected goals (1.9-0.6) and corner kicks (6-1), but could not add a second goal.
Context for Charlotte’s attack and Biel’s role
Biel’s goal continues a productive stretch for the Spanish attacking midfielder after his arrival in Charlotte during the 2024 summer window. Charlotte re-acquired Biel on loan from Olympiacos in January 2025, and later extended that loan through the end of the 2025 MLS season with a purchase option tied to performance metrics. Entering 2026, Biel has been positioned as a central creative piece in a front line that includes Zaha and young forward Idan Toklomati.
Charlotte’s opening point came despite being outshot heavily, with the equalizer arriving through a direct transition sequence finished by Biel.
What’s next
Saturday’s result is the first of two consecutive road matches to open Charlotte’s 2026 schedule. Charlotte is set to play at the LA Galaxy on Feb. 28 before returning to Bank of America Stadium for the home opener against Austin FC on March 7.
For MLS viewers, the 2026 season also marks a distribution change: league matches are available to Apple TV subscribers without an additional MLS Season Pass fee.