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Charlotte FC's predicted starting XI vs DC United

Ryan Donahue

By Ryan Donahue


Photo Courtesy of CJ Hellner



After a bye last weekend, Charlotte FC are back at Bank of America this weekend and ready to take on their neighbors to the north in DC United. Coming off one of Charlotteā€™s best results this season against Atlanta United, Charlotte will look to keep the momentum going as they chase the top four spots in the east.


DC, who currently sit below the playoff line in tenth have struggled to get points on the road with only one win in eight matches so far this season. DC United will also be without two of their key players Aaron HerreraĀ and Matti PeltolaĀ who were both called up on international duty with Guatemala and Finland this month.


Despite, Troy Lesesneā€™s side having failed to win a game in over a month the side has enjoyed success in front of goal. With DC facing up against one of the top center-back partnerships in the league in Adilson Malanda and Andrew Privett it will be essential for Charlotteā€™s offense to be productive in front of the net if the side are to secure three points.


Ahead of kick-off, Dean Smith complimented his center-back pairing stating Malanda as one of the best in the league and acknowledging Privettā€™s versatility to play in both the holding defensive midfield role but prefers him at center-back. During Smithā€™s press conference, he mentioned that he has almost an entirely fit squad available to choose from for Saturday night which will make it difficult for him to pick his best side.


As Charlotte prepares for Saturday night our team examined who fans can most likely expect to start this weekend.


Defensively, it is unlikely that Smith will deviate from his best backfour. The partnership of Malanda and Privett is almost guaranteed to start with Jere Uronen and Nathan Byrne at outside back.


In the midfield, Ashely Westwood will lead the side with Brandt Bronico and Djibril Diani, JĆŗnior Urso or Nikola Petković as the third option.


Charlotteā€™s front three of Liel Abada, Patrick Agyemang, and Kerwin Vargas was an effective trio against Atlanta and will very likely be the front three to get the start against DC this weekend. With Abada finding his feet in MLS and getting on the scoresheet with his electric pace, strengthened by Agyemangā€™s hold-up play and Vargasā€™s creativity, the front three will be a difficult test for DC.


While a win over DC this weekend will not move Charlotte into the fourth-place position, getting three points will help Smithā€™s side continue to chase the division leaders.


Predicted XI


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