Charlotte FC’s Predicted Starting XI vs Columbus Crew
- Ryan Donahue
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Ryan Donahue
Charlotte’s spell of bad form hasn’t gotten any easier in recent weeks. Dean Smith’s side last week left fans underwhelmed at home after a brutal defeat to the Chicago Fire, followed up by a loss to DC United in penalties, eliminating Charlotte from the US Open Cup.
With Charlotte’s elimination from the US Open Cup, Charlotte will miss out again on another year to make a challenge for a trophy, making it critical that Smith gets his side back on track.
With Charlotte set to host Columbus this weekend at home, here is how Charlotte is most likely to line up.
Defensive unit
Across the back line, Adilson Malanda and Andrew Privett will likely pair as the center back partnership. Smith said that Tim Ream is questionable for Saturday with a thigh injury he has been playing through for the past week or two. This makes it more likely that Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty gets the start at left back. Nick Scardina will likely continue to get the reps at right back while Natha Byrne is out.
If Ream ends up being out on Saturday, the team would be stretched very thin at defensive depth. Kerwin Vargas has been getting some reps at right back off the bench, so his services could be called on to drop deeper again this weekend. The only other defensive option who has gotten reps this season on the bench would be Bill Tuiloma if Ream is unable to suit up.
Midfield line
The midfield triangle most likely to start will include Charlotte’s captain, Ashley Westwood, alongside the engine Brandt Bronico; however, Djibril Diani has also seen minutes in recent weeks. So he could potentially be favored depending on how Smith wants his midfield profile.
In front of the midfield two, Smith will likely start Pep Biel as the creator, looking to assist the forward line. When Charlotte has been at their best this season, goals have been flowing through Biel, so his impact will be essential to getting points against the Crew. Another potential option to feature would be Eryk Williamson, who has shown glimpses of promise in recent weeks and could get more minutes this weekend.
Forward line
The front three has so far this season been the most frustrating part of Charlotte’s team, with none of the forward line looking to be in sync, and a lack of goals is evident to fans and opponents. While the front three have not gotten in sync, it is expected that Wilfried Zaha will continue on the left and has started to step up with more goals recently. Patrick Agyemang, who scored in the midweek match against DC and just received another national team call-up up will hopefully use the positive momentum on Saturday night and contribute with goals. Charlotte’s Liel Abada has so far looked to be the most comfortable of the front three, but still has not reached the heights that fans would expect from their right-wing DP.
Charlotte’s forward line is also missing some depth, as Idan Toklomati will be out this weekend with a thigh injury.
With all to play for and Charlotte in desperate need of points to climb back up the Eastern Conference ladder, a win at home Saturday night could be a defining match in the future of this Charlotte season.
Predicted Starting XI
