Charlotte FC’s Stock Up, Stock Down: Charlotte overcomes a poor first half to get their first win on the road this season

By Billy McGee - @iambillymcgee

Wilfried Zaha (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

It was a tale of two halves for Charlotte FC against New York City FC, coming out in the second half looking for and getting all three points in a win after the first half saw them lucky to be tied 0-0 going into the break.

Here is our stock up, stock down from Charlotte’s road win on Saturday:

Stock Up

Kristijan Kahlina - Kahlina had another Goalkeeper of the Year-worthy performance against NYCFC, making six saves in the game, five of which were diving saves. He was not able to keep a clean sheet, though, conceding a goal in the third minute of stoppage time, finishing the game with just one goal allowed for the fifth time this season. The Croatian was a big part of the team, making it through the first half unscathed. NYCFC were in the box frequently in the first, holding 63% possession, taking 16 touches in the box and having nine first-half shots, but couldn’t get it past the defense and Kahlina.

Kerwin Vargas - With the emergence of newcomer Rodolfo Aloko, Vargas needed to show Dean Smith why he should still be getting minutes in a congested right-wing position. Vargas came on for Aloko in the 69th minute, completed a dribble, and was the difference for Charlotte, scoring their second goal in the 90th minute. He made the run in off the right side, receiving the ball from Pep Biel, taking a touch to create space around the defender, and scored what became the winning goal off the fingertips of Matt Freese. With the winning goal against NYCFC and a midweek goal in the U.S. Open Cup against Charlotte Independence, Vargas has made his case to be the starter or the first choice winger off the bench, with Aloko now demanding minutes with his play.

Left side in the attack - After struggling against Nashville SC without Wilfried Zaha, Charlotte’s attack looked much more dangerous with Zaha returning. Charlotte struggled in the first half with Zaha not getting very involved on the wing, but in the second half, he moved more centrally and got going. The chances for both Charlotte goals were created by Zaha playing an entry pass, setting up Harry Toffolo and Biel for assists. Toffolo was a big part of the attack, joining in from his left back position. Toffolo’s partnership with Zaha has been important for Charlotte this season. In the game Zaha was suspended for, Toffolo created just one chance as the team struggled to get going. When Toffolo joins Zaha, he is active on the ball in forward areas and does well as a passer to create chances. Two of Charlotte’s three big chances created in the match came from the duo, each being credited with one.

Stock Down

First Half Performances on the Road - Another lackluster first-half performance on the road for Charlotte FC raises concerns. In their three road games so far this season, they’ve been outscored 3-0 and have yet to have more than 37% of possession in the first half. Their six total shots and two shots on target are dwarfed by the 28 shots and 13 shots on target they have allowed. Those shots have generated 0.45 xG for Charlotte while their opponents have an xG of 4.12. The team has not historically had a good track record on the road, and if they continue starting this poorly in road games, that could continue.

Liel Abada - While Abada was stocked down after an underwhelming performance last week, and he got an assist in the U.S. Open Cup midweek, he was left as an unused sub with Aloko getting his first MLS start and Vargas being chosen to come off the bench as the substitute when Aloko came off. Being an unused substitute as a DP is a bad situation, as he now appears to be buried on the depth chart as the third choice right winger. This feels like the beginning of the end of his time in the Queen City, as his output has never justified his price tag, especially now with his standing on the team.