Benjamin Bender scored two goals in the first 20 minutes, but Charlotte FC had to settle for a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night in Harrison, N.J.
Bender became the first No. 1 MLS SuperDraft pick with two goals in a game since Abu Danladi in August 2017.
Dante Vanzeir and Cameron Harper scored in the second half for the Red Bulls (4-6-8, 20 points).
Charlotte FC (6-8-5, 23 points) now have a four-game winless streak (0-2-2).
Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, who recorded an assist, made four saves. Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel of New York stopped one shot.
Charlotte got off to a strong start despite playing without leading scorer Karol Swiderski, who has five goals but was absent as he plays for Poland’s national team.
The matchup pitted the MLS team (Charlotte) that has allowed the most goals this season against the team (Red Bulls) that has scored the fewest goals in the league.
Bender’s first goal of the game and second of the season came in the 13th minute on a dramatic delivery from the other end of the field. That’s where Kahlina kicked the ball and Bender ran under it just as he entered the box and put on a move to complete the play.
The 22-year-old midfielder tacked on another goal six minutes later with a blast from just inside the top of the box.
Vanzeir’s second goal of the season came in the 53rd minute after he entered the game about seven minutes earlier.
Vanzeir scored in transition after teammate Elias Manoel did a bulk of the work by bringing the ball down the left side. Vanzeir made a strong cut into the box and was there to finish the sequence.
The second New York goal came shortly after a corner kick. Sean Nealis got the ball to Harper, a forward who notched his first goal of the season in his 14th game.
–Field Level Media
