HIGH POINT, NC (April 25, 2026) - Carolina Core FC won the Battle of I-85 with a dramatic penalty shootout victory against MLS NEXT Pro league leaders Crown Legacy, following a hard-fought 2-2 draw in regulation time. The performance was highlighted by a standout performance from Arnaud Tattevin, who now has three goals in as many games.
After early pressure from The Core, including a chance for Thomas Rainbault, who capitalized on a defensive error, the visitors took the lead when defender Andrew Johnson converted a powerful header from a corner.
Striker Tattevin, in his third appearance since arriving in High Point at the beginning of the month, proved to be a constant threat throughout the first half. His dangerous header just before the half-hour mark was followed by a pinpoint through ball for Anthony Sumo Jr., whose first-time shot was deflected for a corner.
Following a sustained period of pressure from the Core’s frontline, the equalizer came in majestic fashion from Tattevin, who navigated past four defenders before curling a shot into the net from 20 yards for an early goal-of-the-season contender.
Five minutes into the second half, The Core took the lead when Tattevin struck powerfully into the roof of the net from just outside the six-yard box.
The lead, however, was canceled out a few moments later when Crown Legacy’s Hugo Mbongue scored from the penalty spot.
Nick Holliday made several notable saves to bring the game to a penalty shootout, where the goalkeeper made a crucial save to deny his former teammate Nimfasha Berchimas. Mohamed Diakite converted The Core’s fifth kick to secure its first shootout victory of the season, by a 4-2 margin.
The celebratory mood at Truist Point was also marked by the annual International Night, whose festivities included an energetic halftime performance from the North Carolina Brazilian Arts Project.
The Core return to action next Saturday, May 2, when Atlanta United 2 visit Truist Point.
MATCH DETAILS
Date: April 25, 2026
Competition:Â MLS NEXT Pro
Venue: Truist Point Stadium | High Point, NC
Kickoff: 6.00 p.m. ET
Weather: 72 degrees, Rainy
SCORING SUMMARY
FT: 2-2 (Carolina Core win 4-2 on PKs)
CLFC: Andrew Johnson - 13'Â
CCFC: Arnaud Tattevin - 45'+5
CCFC: Arnaud Tattevin - 51'
CLFC: Hugo Mbongue - 54' (penalty)
LINEUPS
CCFC: Nick Holliday; Santiago Yepes, Nolan Evers (C), Jair Caiza (Nathan Brown 76'), Nelson Martinez; Medhi Zerkane (Mohamed Diakite 61'), Tim Zeegers, Alenga Charles (Ricardo Montenegro 46'); Thomas Raimbault, Arnaud Tattevin (Khalid Balogun 70'), Anthony Sumo Jr. (David Diaz 46')
Substitutes not used:Â Trevor Jackson, Ricardo Montenegro, Jesus Ibarra, Robinson Aguirre, Dyllan John
Crown Legacy: Graham Syrett; Ashton Kamdem, Assane Ouedraogo, Andrew Johnson, Will Cleary; Daniel Longo (Andrej Subotic 46'), Baye Coulibaly, Simon Tonidandel (Erik Peña 70'); Nimfasha Berchimas, Hugo Mbongue, Nathan Richmond (Emmanuel Uchegbu 70')
Substitutes not used: Barzee Blama, Magic Smalls, Lazar Kalicanin, Jamie Smith, Michael Ayovi, Adrian Mendoza
STATS SUMMARY
CCFC / CLFC
Shots: 11 / 14
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Saves: 3 / 2
Corners: 5 / 12
Possession: 35% / 65%
Fouls: 17 / 11
Yellow Cards:Â 5 / 1
Red Cards:Â 0 / 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CLFC: 10' - Daniel Longo (Yellow)
CCFC: 21' - Msunguchi Alenga (Yellow)
CCFC: 22' - Jair Caiza (Yellow)
CCFC: 26' - Mehdi Zerkane (Yellow)
CCFC: 35': Nelson MartÃnez (Yellow)
CCFC: 60': Mohamed Diakite (Yellow)
CCFC: 70': Mohamed Diakite (Yellow)
