Charlotte FC looks to fill a Senior Roster spot: Which prospects fit the profile?

By Rylee McKinney (@rylees_roster)

Dean Smith (Photo courtesy of Charlotte FC)

One of Charlotte FC's toughest heartbreaks this season was the transfer of right winger Kerwin Vargas to Brazilian Serie A club Athletico Paranaense at the end of July. With the loss of Patrick Agyemang last season and Wilfried Zaha this past May, Charlotte FC's attack has been in the midst of rebuilding.

Although fresh faces like Archie Goodwin, Rodolfo Aloko and Aron Jon were brought in to support their attack, it still does not quite feel right. Last week, Dean Smith mentioned that Vargas' senior roster spot is the squad's next target signing.

Here is a look at some potential targets for Charlotte FC:

Emmanuel Sabbi - Vancouver Whitecaps

The 28-year-old winger currently holds a transfer value of $1.7M and has been with the Vancouver Whitecaps since 2025. His contract is through 2027, with a club option for 2028. In his debut season with the 'Caps, Sabbi recorded nine goals and five assists in 31 starts and 42 appearances across all competitions. Prior to Vancouver, Sabbi spent two seasons with French side Le Havre in Ligue 1, where he earned five goals and one assist in 49 appearances.

Paul Arriola - Seattle Sounders FC

With a contract set to end in December of 2027, this winger might also pique Charlotte's interest. Paul Arriola has been with the Seattle Sounders since January 2025.

Before Seattle, Arriola played with other MLS teams like DC United and FC Dallas.

During his 2025 season with Seattle, Arriola made six appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. Unfortunately, the winger suffered a torn ACL against Cruz Azul and was placed on the Season-Ending Injury list. Arriola also suffered a separate ACL tear with DC United (2020) and a hamstring strain with England's Swansea City (2021).

Despite his history of injuries, Arriola did have success with FC Dallas during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2022, he made 34 appearances, scoring 10 goals and adding seven assists. Then, in 2023, he made 28 appearances, scoring three goals and recording seven assists.

Bongi Hlongwani - Minnesota United FC

One of the more versatile senior roster players is 26-year-old Bongokuhle (Bongi) Hlongwani. He is officially labeled as a right wing back, but has experience as a right midfielder, a right winger and a striker. The right-wing back has been with Minnesota since January of 2022, making a total of 168 appearances and tallying 35 goals. Hlongwani's career also took him to South Africa's Durban City from 2019 to 2022 and then Amabutho XI for the 2022 season. He even spent some time with the South African National Team from 2021 to 2026, earning four goals in 19 appearances.

Anderson Julio - FC Dallas

Anderson Julio currently plays with FC Dallas as a left winger but also can play as a striker when needed.

His contract with Dallas officially ends in December of 2026, and he has only played 80 minutes with Dallas this season.

During his first season with Dallas, however, the Ecuadorian played in 27 regular season matches. He ultimately earned six goals and one assist.

Julio also spent two seasons with Real Salt Lake prior to Dallas, making 129 appearances, scoring 28 goals and adding nine assists across all competitions.

Griffin Yow - New England Revolution

Left winger Griffin Yow is one of the younger domestic players available to Charlotte, at just 23 years old. His professional career so far has taken him to teams like DC United, Loudoun United FC, Westerlo and most recently, New England Revolution.

With the Revs, Yow has played in 19 matches this season, only scoring one goal. Yet, Yow's three-and-a-half seasons with Belgian Pro League side KVC Westerlo better represent his potential. Logging 86 matches across all competitions, Yow earned 18 goals and 10 assists. His career also includes 14 appearances with the United States youth international teams, including six goals and one assist in 14 appearances with the U-17 team.

Alex Muyl - Nashville SC

Nashville SC's Alex Muyl has an upcoming contract expiration on December 31, 2026. Similar to Bongi, Muyl functions as a versatile attacker. He primarily plays as a left midfielder, but has minutes as a right midfielder, central midfielder, left winger and right winger.

Muyl has been with the Boys in Gold since August of 2020, making 237 appearances and scoring 16 goals across all competitions with the club. His senior career spans back to 2016 where he made his debut with the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull New York II up until August of 2020. With New York, Muyl made 140 appearances, recording 13 goals. Muyl is valued as a tactically disciplined and relentless player who relies on his energy rather than flashy technical skills.

Omir Fernandez - Portland Timbers

This 27-year-old forward currently holds a $560K transfer value, one of the more cost-effective senior roster prospects.

Fernandez has a colorful senior career, spending time with Red Bull New York II, New York Red Bulls, Colorado Rapids, and eventually Portland. Currently, Fernandez spends his time with MLS Next Pro team, Portland Timbers 2. During the 2025 season, Fernandez only scored one goal in 29 appearances with Portland. His time with the New York Red Bulls reflects his most impressive stats, with 19 goals in 130 appearances from January 2019 to December 2023.

Pablo Ruiz - Real Salt Lake

This season marks Pablo Ruiz's ninth season with Real Salt Lake. Since 2018, this Argentine defensive midfielder has been a cornerstone of RSL's identity. With his contract set to expire in December of 2026, Ruiz might be one of Charlotte's targets. His transfer value sits at $520K.

His stretch with RSL has been 143 matches long, in which he earned nine goals. What sets Pablo Ruiz apart from the rest is his left-preferred foot and his ability to create changes in the attacking third.