How is Charlotte FC doing?

[Panthers Fan 69]

Paid attention a little bit last year now that the Canes are done I need to pull for another team. Strengths, weaknesses, standings outlook this year. Help educate me so I can enjoy some soccer in the Carolinas this summer.

 

 

@MillionDollarCam   @Anybodyhome @PantherChris

Edited May 19 by Panthers Fan 69

[MillionDollarCam]

11 minutes ago, Panthers Fan 69 said:

Paid attention a little bit last year now that the Canes are done I need to pull for another team. Strengths, weaknesses, standings outlook this year. Help educate me so I can enjoy some soccer in the Carolinas this summer.

 

 

@MillionDollarCam   @Anybodyhome @PantherChris

Team is performing better than expected.

Dean Smith has this defense playing at a high level and we’re finding ways to win. Kahlina is also playing like the best GK in the MLS at the moment.

We’re also doing this with injuries to our best player in Liel Abada and our starting RB in Jere Uronen. Ben Bender is also expected back soon and while I’m not super high on him, he did have 2 goals and 1 assist in 45 minutes of play for Crown Legacy in a conditioning game.

We also have two open DP slots that we are expected to use in the summer.

We’re currently in sixth in the east and if we can hover around that line until reinforcements arrive in the summer, we might be able to make a push toward the top four and get a home playoff game.

 

[DeSim]

23 hours ago, Panthers Fan 69 said:

Paid attention a little bit last year now that the Canes are done I need to pull for another team. Strengths, weaknesses, standings outlook this year. Help educate me so I can enjoy some soccer in the Carolinas this summer.

 

 

@MillionDollarCam   @Anybodyhome @PantherChris

You wanted to be educated, get prepared…

What @MillionDollarCam said about Kahlina and the defense, we’re currently tied for 2nd for fewest goals allowed, with a current streak of 4 straight shutouts. 

Positional thoughts…

GK - Already mentioned Kahlina

DEFENDERS - Back four have been solid, even more the central defenders, Malanda and Privett.  We knew Malanda had potential and he’s living up to it so far this season.  Privett, even though solid last year, his potential was never clear, but this season he’s showing his true potential.  

Fullbacks, Byrne and Uronen also solid.  Uronen currently injured (not sure how long) and hopefully not too long cause the current backup, Joao Pedro has been a liability these last 2 games when filling in.  Byrne’s backup, we still have Lindsey who fills in nicely as a sub or whenever starts to give Byrne some light rest.  

Other backups, Diop and Tuiloma. Diop has yet to play this season I believe and Tuiloma, below average to average. 

MIDFIELDERS - Ashley Westwood is top notch, nothing bad at all to say about the guy, imo.  Box to box midfielder, takes ownership of the defensive midfield area when opposition has the ball and support upfield when Charlotte is in control. 

Diani seems like a similar player as Westwood, but obviously not as good.  Petkovic,  Bronico play a bit more upfield but Bronico being more defense focused.  Same as Arfield and Urso, Urso a bit more defense focused.  Then there’s Djaegere, who even though he’s the no. 10 and should be the playmaking outfielder, just looks lost out there most of the time, and unfortunately he’s been out there plenty.  Cambridge and Bender (injury) have to played so far this year.

WINGERS - Because of injuries, Djaegere has been asked to play there plenty and I already mentioned my thoughts about him.  Maybe playing out of position is why he looks lost but he makes the simplest mistakes and awful passes at times.  Main guys are Vargas and Abada.  Abada has been bc of injury almost 2 months I think? I believe returns next game against Philly.  But when he’s in, oh man the attack level picks up a lotttt.  He knows how to time his runs perfectly to get open.  Vargas is a threat to get into the box and get open as well but sometimes he misses the easy passes (idk if it’s bc selfish or just doesn’t see it) and decides to shoot, needs to work on his vision.  

FORWARDS - Swiderski is currently out on loan in Italy, but Italy could buy him at the end of the loan, which may happen.

Iuri Tavares, back up, his natural position is forward but has been playing this season mostly on the wing since we lack players there and injuries.  Below average to average, has his moments winning one-on-one. 

Even though he’s no longer on the team, he needs to be mentioned  Enzo Copetti…brought in as a DP who never played to that form last year but not really “bad” either. but oh man this year…

Horrible, I don’t even know how else to put it.  After 2-3 horrible games to start the season, Dean Smith started to played the back up more and more  

And that leads me to Patrick Agyemang.  When he started subbed in for Copetti, such a difference.  Easily better than Copetti, which is insane if you think about that he came through CLT through the draft last year (which usually doesn’t yield good players quick) and Copetti was a DP.  So that led to Charlotte selling Copetti, he went bye bye and now it’s Agyemang’s spot and deserved.

So in summary:

Defense: STRONG

Midfield: Outside of Westwood, needs work..starting with getting Djaegere out and finding a true playmaker  

Wings: Solid when healthy, need depth

Forward: Agyemang average but still growing, and is just going to get better.

With Jozwiak out during the past transfer window and now Copetti, there’s 2 DP slots open for Charlotte to get some real good players. And seeing how Dean Smith has evaluated players this season, I trust they’ll get the right guys.

Dean Smith, he’s done amazing for what he’s been dealt with and he’s not afraid of playing younger players over experienced ones.