Idan Toklomati and Liel Abada score goals, Charlotte beats Atlanta 2-0

ATLANTA (AP) — Idan Toklomati and Liel Abada each scored a goal, Kristijan Kahlina had three saves, and Charlotte FC beat Atlanta United 2-0 on Saturday night.

Allan Saint-Maximin, a designated player and former French youth international who signed with Charlotte on July 13, finished with two assists.

Charlotte (10-7-5) is unbeaten in four straight and has just one loss in its last nine games.

Saint-Maximin, on the counter-attack, darted past a defender and bounced a cross from the left side to the back post, where Pep Biel played a first-touch pass back to Toklomati for a sliding finish from point-blank range to open the scoring in the 22nd minute. It was the first goal contribution in MLS for Saint-Maximin in his fourth career appearance.

Atlanta (6-13-3) had its longest win streak of the season snapped at three games.

Lucas Hoyos had two saves.

Saint-Maximin led another Charlotte counter-attack before he played a short pass toward the right corner of the penalty box. Abada’s first touch pushed it toward the end line, before he cut back and flicked a left-footer inside the back post to make it 2-0 in the 48th.

The teams played to a 2-2 tie July 22 in their returns from the World Cup break.

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