Wilfried Zaha believes he made a statement after netting on his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut for Charlotte FC in their 2-0 win over Atlanta United, Afrosport reports.
Pep Biel put the North Carolina outfit in front in the 50th minute before Zaha added the second goal four minutes later.
The Ivorian winger, who is on loan from Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasaray, asserted that the win at the Bank of America Stadium highlighted Charlotte’s readiness for the new MLS season.
“I think it’s a statement. Me coming here to score goals, the whole team are working hard and we’re just taking opportunities as well, so that shows to every other team in the league that we mean business this season,” he told the club website.
A GOAL ON HIS DEBUT. WRITTEN IN THE STARS.
Welcome to MLS, @wilfriedzaha! pic.twitter.com/F3BtxMufwB
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) March 1, 2025
Reacting to Zaha’s 90 minutes performance, Charlotte coach, Dean Smith said: “First half, you can see he was getting into the rhythm of the game; rhythm is a big thing at times for players. There was people snapping at his heels a few times, he gave it away a couple of times as well.
“His position defensively was really good – that, for me, makes him a team player, what he does without the ball. We know what he can do with the ball. He can score goals like that. He can make runs like he did for the first goal. But the defensive side of the game was really good from him as well.”
Charlotte FC are unbeaten after two MLS games and face Inter Miami at Chase Stadium next Sunday.
