Charlotte FC’s Stock Up, Stock Down: Charlotte struggles against a rotated Nashville SC side with no Wilfried Zaha

By Billy McGee - @iambillymcgee

Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90

For the second time this season, Charlotte FC has dropped points against a rotated side. With Wilfried Zaha serving his suspension, the attack struggled, putting away just one goal on 2.19 xG with two penalty kicks. Their upcoming U.S. Open Cup match should be a much-needed game to correct what went wrong against Nashville.

Here is our stock up, stock down from Charlotte’s record-setting win on Saturday.

Stock Up

Archie Goodwin - The Australian striker scored Charlotte’s lone goal of the match after he won the foul to earn the penalty. On the foul, he ran over towards a loose ball and put himself between the keeper and the ball, forcing the keeper to foul him and giving Charlotte their second penalty kick of the night, and scoring the PK. The goal was his third in as many matches. If he continues to produce for Charlotte off the bench and score goals late, he will earn himself more playing time with the struggles of Idan Toklomati. Goodwin will likely have the opportunity to showcase what he can do as the starting striker against a lower-tier side in the upcoming U.S. Open Cup match against Charlotte Independence on Wednesday.

Brandt Bronico - The Mayor came on as a halftime sub after having just a handful of minutes as a late substitute against the Red Bulls and Philadelphia. In the second half, Bronico made a case to be a part of the starting midfield trio going forward, generating 0.52 xA and making a run in to flick the header on to Toklomati when he was fouled for a penalty. He also contributed some defensively, recording a tackle and two interceptions.

Stock Down

Liel Abada - This past weekend was Liel Abada’s biggest chance to prove himself with the absence of Wilfried Zaha due to his suspension. Abada was subbed off going into the second half as Dean Smith opted to move Pep Biel out wide in his place. In the match, Abada managed to get just one touch in the opposition box, didn’t register a single shot, and generated 0.01 xA. The match also saw Rodolfo Aloko make his debut for Charlotte FC, meaning there is now more competition for minutes among wingers. Abada failing to capitalize on his opportunity seems like it could be the official beginning of the end, as his play doesn’t justify occupying a Designated Player spot.

Djibril Diani - Djibril Diani was the other player subbed off at halftime, along with Abada. On Nashville’s first goal, the space was created in zone 14 for the shot after Diani drifted wide, following an attacker towards the touchline. On top of vacating the area where the first goal was scored from, Diani did not have a single tackle or win a single duel in his 45 minutes on the pitch. As other midfielders vie for the third starting midfield spot alongside Ashley Westwood and Biel, being taken off at halftime does not bode well for Diani in that position battle.

Idan Toklomati - Toklomati came into this season with high expectations after being a pleasant surprise last season as the starting striker following the departure of Patrick Agyemang in the summer. So far, he has not lived up to those expectations, scoring just two goals and assisting another through seven games started. His goal contributions are not the only thing that have been lower than you would hope for; he has taken just eight shots this season and is not on the ball often, with just 25.5 touches per game. Against Nashville, he had a penalty kick saved in a crucial moment when Charlotte needed a goal to get back in the game. His underwhelming play is leaving the door open for Goodwin to earn more minutes and potentially earn some starts further into the season if he continues to produce off the bench while Toklomati struggles.