CF Montreal versus Charlotte FC Match Preview: Player Matchup and Predicted Starting XI
By Rylee McKinney (@rylees_roster) and Sean McGuffin (@SeanMCG704)
Charlotte FC kicks off their two-match week tonight against CF Montreal. Despite being on the road, Charlotte's Starting XI are up against a team currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Last Matchday, Charlotte had a difficult run, yet held Western Conference powerhouse Houston Dynamo to a 0-0 draw.
As for Montreal, they are having an unfortunate season. Not only did they lose 2-0 to Philadelphia Union last Saturday, but they also closed out August with a 7-1 loss to Inter Miami CF.
With Charlotte's midfielder Ashley Westwood suspended for two matches after his second-half red card against Houston, tonight's player matchup focuses on a key midfielder for Charlotte's attack: Pep Biel versus Samuel Piette.
CF Montreal - Defensive Midfielder - Samuel Piette
Samuel Piette will likely have the difficult task of disrupting Biel’s influence. The veteran midfielder has started Montreal’s last two matches, playing as both a defensive midfielder and central midfielder, and remains an important piece of the club’s midfield.
So far this season, Piette has made 60 defensive contributions and has won 60.0% of aerial duels, demonstrating expertise and experience.
If Piette can close down Biel and prevent him from turning with the ball or finding Charlotte’s forwards, he could make a major difference in slowing down the Crown’s attack.
Charlotte FC - Attacking Midfielder - Pep Biel
On the other side, Pep Biel will be one of Charlotte FC’s biggest attacking weapons to watch against Montreal, with the Spanish midfielder entering Wednesday’s matchup as Charlotte’s team-leading scorer with 11 goals and team-high 41 chances created.
His ability to find space between Montreal’s midfield and defense and create chances in the final third will be key, especially against a Montreal side that has conceded 48 goals this season.
Predicted Starting XI
Here is our Predicted Starting XI for tonight as Charlotte takes on CF Montreal:
Defensive Unit
The defensive unit looks as cut and dry as ever with Kristijan Kahlina between the posts, accompanied by David Schnegg, Tim Ream, Henry Kessler and Will Cleary. There is a small chance Nathan Byrne starts over Cleary and that Ream could be rotated out similar to last time Charlotte had a double game week.
Morrison Agyemang, Nathan Byrne, Tyler Miller and Andrew Privett will be available as substitutes.
Midfield
Dean Smith is forced to get creative in midfield with Captain Ashley Westwood sitting out tonight's match due to a red card given this past weekend against Houston. Without Westwood, Smith can start two defensive midfielders who are typically rotated on the left side. With that we expect Djibril Diani and Luca De La Torre as defensive midfielders. Pep Biel will start as the lone attacking midfielder as per usual. There is a chance Brandt Bronico gets the start over De La Torre on the right side of midfield.
But as things stand, we are leaning towards Brandt Bronico being available as a sub.
Forward line
The Charlotte attack is beginning to take a permanent shape, with Allan Saint-Maximin a full starter; he will begin the match on the left wing, mirrored by Liel Abada on the right and Idan Toklomati starting as striker. Saint-Maximin will head to Quebec hoping to bring la victoire back to Charlotte.
Archie Goodwin, Rodolfo Aloko, and Tyger Smalls are the most likely subs for tonight's match.
Predicted XI
