Charlotte FC players on expiring contracts: Lots of roster decisions coming

By Brian Maurer

Charlotte FC's summer window closed, and for the most part the roster is the same except for Allan Saint-Maximin now at left wing and Kerwin Vargas moving on to Brazil. There is one senior roster spot open, but as of now the focus for Charlotte FC will be on pushing for a top spot in the playoffs and deciding which players to start offering contract extensions.

Charlotte has a long list of players on expiring contracts going into the winter. Nine players on the senior roster, seven more on the supplemental roster, and two more players who will be on the roster and are out on loan. 18 players that Charlotte needs to negotiate with. Several key decisions could be made this fall that should give some insight into the direction the club is taking as they head into the 2027 sprint season.

Here's the list of players on expiring contracts with notes if they have an option still available:

Senior Roster

Liel Abada - Option for 2027

Brandt Bronico - Option through 2028

Nathan Byrne - Option for 2027

Djibril Diani - No option

Kristijan Kahlina - Option for 2027

Henry Kessler - Option through 2027-28

David Schnegg - Option for 2027

Tim Ream - Option for 2027

Ashley Westwood - Option for 2027

Supplemental Roster

Nimfasha Berchimas - Option for 2027

Tyger Smalls - Option for 2027

Isaac Walker - Option for 2027-28

Will Cleary - Options through 2028-29

Andrew Johnson - Options through 2028-29

Mikah Thomas - Option through 2028

Jack Neeley - Option for 2027

Players currently off roster

Brian Romero - Option for 2027

Nikola Petkovic - Option for 2027

Charlotte FC's forward line is for the most part set, although a decision about Liel Abada's future will likely be a hot topic for the remainder of the season and into the winter. If he stays hot, will the club extend his contract or at least trigger his option?

The midfield and backline are where things get tricky, and a lot of decisions will need to be made. Based on Dean Smith's recent starting lineups, the entire backline and midfield double pivot are on expiring contracts, as well as starting goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina. Everyone but Djibril Diani has an option for at least one more year. Based on the culture and camaraderie of the group it feels like a decent amount of these options are exercised and the group stays together through at least the sprint season. However, this could also be a time when the club opts to start evolving the roster for its next era, as several of the players on expiring deals will be north of 35 next season.

Smith has reiterated that age is not a factor for him when assessing his roster, so this will likely play in the favor of Tim Ream, Ashley Westwood, and co.

There are additional wrinkles to factor into all of these upcoming decisions. First, the sprint season and new calendar shifts everything, and now several contracts and options likely do not line up with the new calendar format starting next summer, Additional negotiations may be needed to get those six-month-plus extensions worked out.

Second, with new MLS Commissioner Larry Berg starting his role in January, there could be some immediate roster rule changes coming. This could either keep teams hesitant to make adjustments or increase the speed of some of their decisions, depending on the situation.