Charlotte FC's Predicted Starting XI against DC United

Wilfried Zaha and Idan Toklomati against CF Montréal (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

Set your alarms early this week because Charlotte FC takes on DC United this week at 2:30 p.m.! This week’s matchup is Charlotte’s second-to-last regular-season game, and this one will be something special. 

After last week’s red and yellow card extravaganza, the Crown’s starting lineup will look peculiar. Critical players like Adilson Malanda, Brandt Bronico, and Ashley Westwood will all be absent for today’s match due to red card and yellow card accumulation penalties. 

Injuries also continue to haunt Charlotte FC early into October, and fans are longing for the return of Pep Biel and Harry Toffolo. 

With the playoffs around the corner, Charlotte FC needs to remain composed in order to achieve its goal of finishing in the top four. The team currently sits in fifth place as they take on DC United. Here is how they are most likely to line up:

Defensive Unit

Kristijan Kahlina–to no one's surprise– will likely start in goal as he has returned to his rightful throne as Charlotte’s starting keeper. The left fullback position will likely be held by Nathan Byrne, who has returned to the pitch like he never even left.

The center back duo will be shaken up a little this week, with Adilson Malanda sitting out for an allotted red card against Montréal last week. Malanda’s impending departure from Charlotte after this season makes this absence especially painful. So, Tim Ream will likely sit next to Andrew Privett, and they will need to make do without Malanda. 

Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty will therefore likely start as the right fullback for the defensive unit. Substitutes for the defensive line will likely be Bill Tuiloma and Nick Scardina.

According to Dean Smith, Harry Toffolo will be unavailable for selection this week as he continues his recovery journey. Smith noted that Toffolo will likely return for the squad’s last game against Philadelphia Union. 

Midfield

The scariest thing to come out of October means no Ashley Westwood and no Brandt Bronico. After both receiving yellow cards against Montréal, consequently sparking yellow card accumulation penalties, both midfield players will be unavailable for selection in this match.

This leaves Djibril Diani likely to start on the right side with Eryk Williamson on the left side. Sitting up top will likely be Wilfried Zaha, who previously earned some minutes in the attacking midfield spot earlier in the season. 

On the bench will likely be Pep Biel, Nikola Petkovic, and potentially Baye Coulibaly, who all have the potential to earn some significant minutes depending on the trajectory of the first half. 

Forward Line

With Zaha likely being on loan to the midfield this week, Liel Abada will re-enter the chat. Abada will likely take on Zaha’s usual spot on the left side with Kerwin Vargas on the right. 

Leading the charge up top will likely be Idan Toklomati again. Viable substitutes for the front line will likely be Archie Goodwin and Tyger Smalls, with the potential to shift Zaha back up top in the second half. 

The pressure is on for all teams in the rankings as the regular season winds down. With a completely altered starting lineup for tonight, this match will not only showcase some of the talent substitutes can bring to the squad but will also give the team some more time for injury recovery. 

Predicted Starting XI