George Marks made three saves for his first MLS shutout when Charlotte FC defeated the visiting Columbus Crew 1-0 on Saturday.

Karol Swiderski scored in the 37th minute when Charlotte (2-4-3, 9 points) won for the first time at home this season after two losses and two ties. It was 10-6-1 in their inaugural season in 2022.

The Crew (4-3-2, 14 points) had a four-match unbeaten streak (3-0-1) end.

Columbus entered as the second-highest scoring team in the league (2.25 per game) and its 18 goals led the Eastern Conference, but Marks, in his 12th MLS game, and the defense were up to the task with the help of a video review in the 89th minute. That decision ruled that Aidan Morris was offside to negate the tying goal.

The Crew in its previous match got a 98th-minute equalizer vs. New England, but a save by Marks on a Lucas Zelarayan header in the 94th minute sealed their fate on Saturday.

Charlotte broke through with a crafty counter that left open space on the right flank for Kamil Jozwiak. He dribbled to the edge of the penalty area and sent a diagonal ball to the unmarked Swiderski for his strike from 16 yards.

Charlotte set the tone from the onset and fired the first shot on goal only two minutes in when Bill Tuiloma headed Kerwin Vargas’ free kick, but Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte was able to grab it.

Crew coach Wilfried Nancy had to go to the bench early when defender Will Sands tumbled after a collision with Jozwiak in the seventh minute. Sands injured his left arm and was replaced by Yaw Yeboah.

It was the Crew’s turn in the 20th minute to challenge for the opening goal as Zelarayan sent a cross to Christian Ramirez for a sitting header. Marks made a reactionary stop for his first save.

–Field Level Media