Charlotte FC’s Stock Up, Stock Down: The Crown rolls through Charlotte Independence with a rotated squad

By Billy McGee - @iambillymcgee

David Schnegg (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

Charlotte FC entered the U.S. Open Cup with a 6-0 win in the first-ever Charlotte Derby against Charlotte Independence. The six goals came on the only six shots on target in the match, each coming from a different goalscorer, showcasing the squad depth. There were many firsts in the game, with four Charlotte FC debuts and five players getting their first goal contributions for the Crown.

Stock Up

Rodolfo Aloko - Fresh off the heels of his first team debut against Nashville SC, the Beninese international got the nod as the starter on the right wing. He played 73 minutes and created two big chances, both leading to goals for which he was credited with the assists. The first assist was a perfectly placed ball to Archie Goodwin, who made a well-timed run in, sending the team into halftime with a momentum swing after a slow start. With the combination of Aloko being signed to the First Team and being productive in his small sample size, along with the struggles of Liel Abada and the uncertainty of the situation with Wilfried Zaha, means he could be in for more playing time and potentially a starting spot later in the season.

Henry Kessler - Kessler made his Charlotte FC debut after being one of the main signings for Charlotte FC in the winter transfer window, but suffered an injury that sidelined him for the beginning of the season. In his first game with Charlotte FC, Kessler was involved in possession, going 58/60 on accurate passes and 2/3 on accurate long balls. He also got involved in the attack as a center back, missing a header wide in the 55th minute before finding the back of the net for his first goal with the team in the 60th minute. Kessler’s play should have earned him more opportunities, and now gives another capable option at center back for Dean Smith.

David Schnegg - Another winter transfer window acquisition, Schnegg made his first start of the season after appearing in just two games before the Open Cup. Schnegg scored a goal and assisted another on set pieces. He gives a different profile to the attack as a full back when he is on the pitch, tending to send in more accurate crosses.

Nimfasha Berchimas - Another young winger for Charlotte FC, he made his season debut as a substitute and scored his first goal for the team. With Aloko ahead of him in the pecking order, it will be harder to earn minutes, but while Aloko gets more first-team minutes, Berchimas will be the star of the show for Crown Legacy as he continues to develop.

Baye Coulibaly - Like Berchimas, Coulibaly made his season debut coming off the bench. He scored his first goal for the club and recorded his first assist in 29 minutes. The Malian midfielder went a perfect 37/37 on accurate passes, including 2/2 on accurate long balls and eight passes into the final third. There wasn’t very much work for him to do defensively with Charlotte in the driver’s seat for much of the time he was on the pitch, making six recoveries and no tackles.