Crown Legacy FC, Charlotte FC's development team, beat Red Bull New York II 2-1 Sunday night in Matthews for the club's first home playoff win and a place in the Eastern Conference semifinal.
Charlotte FC forward Nathan Richmond scored in the 12th minute, and Adrian Mendoza, a midfielder from Charlotte FC's youth academy, added a goal in the 31st. The club says Mendoza is the first academy player in its history to score in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.
Richmond's goal was his 10th of 2026. He also has 10 assists, and the club says he is the first player in its history to reach 20 goals and assists combined.
Red Bull's Tanner Rosborough scored in the 78th minute. Crown Legacy goalkeeper Jahiem Wickham made a career-high eight saves.
Crown Legacy is the top seed in the Eastern Conference of MLS NEXT Pro, the developmental league run by Major League Soccer.
It hosts the semifinal Sunday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex and will choose its opponent Tuesday: Columbus Crew 2 or Connecticut United FC.
"I'm glad that we're able to give something back to the community that comes out and supports us," said Kevin Sawchak, Crown Legacy's head coach.