Charlotte FC’s Stock Up, Stock Down: Bronico features for the first time in 2026, Agyemang has a positive debut, and de la Torre's early struggles continue

By Brian Maurer

Luca de la Torre (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

Charlotte FC had an early collapse against the LA Galaxy that they couldn't recover from. They dug themselves a hole by giving up three goals in five minutes out of the gate, and it was too deep for them to find a way back into the game.

The goals were all in part due to self-inflicted errors from turnovers in the middle third or their own half, a trend that continued from their opener in St. Louis. It was one of the main points Charlotte's Head Coach Dean Smith spoke about in the post-match press conference. There was also a clear lack of ideas in the attacking third.

The Crown will look to right the ship during its upcoming five-game home stretch, which starts this weekend against Austin FC. Here is our stock up, stock down after the recent loss:

Stock Up

Brandt Bronico - The local man got his chance to feature as a halftime substitute, and while the Crown didn't improve substantially in the final third, Brandt Bronico's presence was able to help stop the bleeding. He provided some stability by limiting errors in the middle of the field.

An argument can be made that the LA Galaxy were already comfortably ahead, but it still needs to be said that Bronico was taken out of the starting XI in hopes that other midfielders would add a new dynamic to how Charlotte can play with the ball. That evolution has not materialized, which makes your industrious players like the Mayor seem far more likely to have a larger role sooner rather than later.

Morrison Agyemang - The young prospect was brought on to replace a struggling Andrew Privett, and he had a good showing for 45 minutes. There were still questionable moments, particularly when Morrison Agyemang got turned by Joseph Paintsil and received a booking, but all in all, he demonstrated that he can hang in MLS after signing with Crown Legacy FC last summer. He seems to have built a good case to be given a shot in the starting XI during this upcoming home stretch.

The floor-raising players - A lot of the preseason discussion was whether the Crown could evolve as a squad by improving their ability to control games with their possession. This required Smith to make lineup adjustments to get more ball progressors and risk takers into the starting lineup. So far, that evolution has been met with severe growing pains to start the 2026 campaign. This development highlights the value of balancing your floor-raisers (like Bronico, Agyemang, Djibril Diani, and Kerwin Vargas) with your ceiling-raisers.

There is no point in raising the ceiling if it's built on a weak foundation, and the first two weeks have highlighted that weakness.

Stock Down

Luca de la Torre and the ball progression evolution - Luca de la Torre was tasked with coming in and being a key part of Charlotte FC's evolution with the ball. So far through two games, the midfield has not clicked and has struggled to establish any control with or without possession. The easiest way to highlight the lack of impact de la Torre has had in his short tenure is the lack of progressive actions.

According to American Soccer Analysis, the midfielder has made four total progressive actions in two games. These actions are one of his greatest strengths and a key reason why he was signed. These numbers will need to improve for Charlotte to make an evolution through their 2026 campaign. It's also not a good sign that Smith subbed him out at halftime.

De la Torre's progressive actions and carries through Charlotte FC's first two games (American Soccer Analysis)

Dean Smith's Western Conference road form - Smith is now winless through eight games traveling to Western Conference opponents (0-4-4, GD -7). These are teams that the club does not play often or travel to consistently. Given the extra hours in the air its also no surprise these games have been a bit trickier.

This season, Eastern Conference teams are winless against WC opponents through two weeks (0-4-10). At the same time, this is still one monkey Smith would likely prefer to get off his back, especially with how stark Charlotte's home form has been compared to their away form. Charlotte will have one more chance at the WC road game against the Portland Timbers on October 24.

The ceiling-raising players - Charlotte FC has players who have been brought in to help raise the level this club can reach across all lines. Players like Tim Ream and Harry Toffolo on defense, de la Torre and Ashley Westwood in the midfield, and Pep Biel, Wilfried Zaha, and Idan Toklomati in the front. These are some of, if not the highest-paid, players on the roster and were brought in to help raise the heights that the Crown can reach.

However, most of the ceiling-raising actions this year have been from Kristijan Kahlina saves, and one good connection from Biel and Zaha against St. Louis. This push for more from the ceiling raisers has come at the cost of the floor. More floor-raising players could be in line for minutes to help stabilize the issues the Crown has been facing by trying to be the protagonist in games.