Charlotte FC’s Predicted Starting XI vs Austin FC

By Brian Maurer

Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90

Charlotte FC is coming off a difficult road loss against the LA Galaxy, where they allowed three goals in five minutes. They were never able to bounce back from that deficit and are now heading home looking to earn their first win of the season in front of their faithful supporters.

Head Coach Dean Smith opted to make a couple of changes to his starting XI against the Galaxy last week, bringing in Kerwin Vargas for Liel Abada, and Ashley Westwood was sick, which led to Djibril Diani getting the nod for him.

More changes could be coming as Smith looks to find the solution that helps get the Crown's season back on track.

Here is our predicted Charlotte FC starting XI for their home opener versus Austin FC:

Defensive unit

Kristijan Kahlina has been a bright spot through a difficult early stretch and will be in goal. The backline could see multiple changes, as just about the entire group has suffered through a ton of pressure through the first two games. Harry Toffolo was caught out of position multiple times in transition moments, but it's difficult to say which situations were solely on him, which were on turnovers, and which were on Smith tactically setting him up to play too high.

Regardless, it hasn't worked, and there could be a chance we see David Schnegg get a look on the left, although his positioning defensively didn't look like a massive improvement against St. Louis.

Tim Ream and Andrew Privett have both been stuck in a bunch of difficult spots, and Privett's recent bad giveaway that led to a Joao Klauss goal was a sign of an early exit to come as he was subbed out for Morrison Agyemang at halftime. Agyemang looked like a capable MLS-caliber center back in his debut, so there is a chance Smith gives him a look from the start.

Nathan Byrne's spot looks secure on the right, as Jack Neeley hasn't been called upon yet this year.

Midfield line

Ashley Westwood is expected to be back after being sick this past week. Even with Smith trying to give him some rest, he was still called upon for the second half. Unless something drastically changes, Westwood will be out there for the full 90. The question becomes what happens with the other half of the double pivot. Diani started but was subbed off for Brandt Bronico. Luca de la Torre has also struggled out of the gate and was also subbed at halftime against the Galaxy. It seems like a toss-up at the moment who could get the start this week among those three.

Pep Biel will all but certainly play centrally, although given the lack of stability defensively, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Spanish midfielder moved out wide as an inverted playmaker to make room for extra defensive support in the midfield.

Forward line

Wilfried Zaha and Idan Toklomati are both expected to continue getting run outs, although neither has started the season particularly well. Vargas played the full 90 this past weekend, and Liel Abada couldn't get a sniff of the field after earning the start in the season opener. Unless Smith opts for a tactical shift, most likely by moving Biel outwide, Vargas appears to be the frontrunner wide right.

Predicted Starting XI