Charlotte FC's Top 15 Prospects
Updated by Brian Maurer - 9/12/2026
Here is our running list of Charlotte FC's top prospects. This list is based on a combination of potential, contract situation, and first-team opportunity.
Will Cleary and Rodolfo Aloko were previously on top of this list but have been moved on after they have established what looks to be consistent roles with First Team. This has now opened the door for more players to move in to our top 15 list.
The ranking is not solely based on potential or who we think has the highest ceiling based on their talent. We also key in on who is getting professional opportunities (especially with the First Team). This makes the pathway to first-team minutes equally pivotal to a player's ranking.
Here is our Charlotte FC prospect top 15 (updated monthly):
Willian Sangoquiza (20) - FB/CB/CM - +8 change
Background: Transferred from America de Quito at the end 2024. Signed to a Crown Legacy contract.
Willian Sangoquiza built up a lot of momentum going into preseason this year getting reps with the First Team. He then picked up an injury and had to do a short surgery rehab stint. He has been back playing with Crown Legacy since the end of July, captaining one of the top teams in MLS NEXT Pro. He has also been getting more first team reps this past week and Dean Smith mentioned that he wanted to get a longer look at him if he hadn’t picked up his injury in the Spring. There is a senior roster spot open and it sounds like the club is weighing the option of promoting a player internally and Sangoquiza feels like a strong candidate. The Ecuadorian can play fullback, center back, or in the midfield. His positional flexibility should give him an advantage as he competes for a first team role.
Nathan Richmond (22) - RW - +3
Background: Drafted in the 3rd Round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft from Clemson. Finished his college career before signing with Crown Legacy to start 2026.
Nathan Richmond has tied Crown Legacy records in assists (10), and goal contributions (18) in his rookie campaign. He also got the opportunity to make his Charlotte FC debut during Leagues Cup this summer. His stock is on the rise and if he can help lead the Legacy attack through a deep playoffs he should have some serious momentum going into 2027’s preseason.
Hugo Mbongue (22) - CF - +3
Background: Canadian international who signed with Crown Legacy on a free transfer after finishing his contract with Toronto FC.
Hugo Mbongue is in a similar spot to Richmond. Both have been contributing consistently to a strong Legacy attack. He has been getting looks with the First Team as well as several of the other top prospects on this list. Goal will be for a deep run from Legacy and a strong offensive performance to build momentum into preseason. Mbongue should feel like an opportunity could be there next year if Charlotte FC opts to stay as young as they are at center forward.
Aron John (20) - CM - -1
Background: Homegrown who won inaugural Charlotte FC Academy Player of the Year. Initially signed a pro deal with Crown Legacy and now has a First Team contract.
Aron John had another unfortunate injury delaying good momentum he had been building both by getting his first team debut and getting more consistent looks from the USYNT. Main thing is to recover and ideally get back to that momentum as soon as possible. Mental side of things will be key here as injuries are something mostly out of a players control and can be draining, especially when things upto the injury are going well.
Nimfasha Berchimas (18) - LW - -1
Background: Homegrown academy player who signed a first team contract when he was 14.
Nimfasha Berchimas is in a similar spot to John. Building serious momentum both with Legacy and with the USYNT. It looked like Berchimas was set to be a key contributor throughout the U20 Concacaf Championship until his injury in the Group Stage. Mental side will be key as he works back to full health.
Andrej Subotic (20) - CM - +7
Background: Signed by Crown Legacy in January, 2025. Previously played for FK Cukaricki.
Andrej Subotic has gotten himself back into the lineup more consistently after dealing with some smaller injuries throughout the season and is showing final third production out of the midfield with three goals in August. Feels like a strong postseason would give Subotic an extra boost after missing part of the regular season and with the potential for opening spots in the midfield going into preseason in 2027.
Jack Neeley (21) - CB - no change
Background: Homegrown academy player who signed a first team contract when he was 18.
Neeley has continued to be a steady contributor for Crown Legacy. Feels like he has been dancing in a bit of a limbo space between MLS NEXT Pro and the First Team. Morrison Agyemang jumping him didn’t help his chances. This is a big fall for Neeley as he is in a contract year with an option for next season. His long resume of contributing should be an asset.
Andrew Johnson (22) - CB - no change
Background: Drafted by Charlotte FC in the 2nd Round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. Finished his college career at Cornell and then joined Charlotte at the beginning of 2026. Signed to first team contract.
Andrew Johnson has made an immediate impact since joining Charlotte FC this winter. He leads Legacy in minutes so he has given Smith and the rest of the first team staff plenty of tape going into the 2027 preseason.
Baye Coulibaly (20) - CM - +5
Background: U22 Initiative player for Charlotte FC, who was initially signed to Crown Legacy on a MLS NEXT Pro contract.
Baye Coulibaly should be one of the top prospects on this list but he has had some consistency issues this season. He has started putting full 90s together again these last few weeks with Legacy and, like Subotic, could use a strong postseason to set himself up well to compete for a first team spot in 2027 preseason.
Mikah Thomas (21) - LB - no change
Background: Drafted in the First Round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft after playing college at Connecticut.
Mikah Thomas went out on a short loan spell in the Spring and since he has been back has been in and out of the starting lineup. He has tallied a couple of assists but there is limited room at left back for progression at the moment with both David Schnegg and Harry Toffolo on the first team.
Adrian Mendoza (19) - CM - no change
Background: Academy prospect, not currently signed to a pro contract.
Adrian Mendoza is in a gap year after graduating from the academy and has gotten a lot of minutes this season for Crown Legacy. He has also built up some momentum with goals in back-to-back games.
Daniel Longo (21) - CM - no change
Background: Undrafted free agent, played college at UNCG before signing with Crown Legacy.
Daniel Longo is in the top 5 for Legacy minutes this season and will look to be a key contributor in the playoffs to help establish his role in the group longer term.
Magic Smalls (20) - LW - newly added
Background: Academy prospect, not currently signed to a pro contract. Brother is first team player Tyger Smalls.
Magic Smalls is another academy prospect on a gap year and has started picking up momentum throughout the summer nabbing 2 goals and 2 assists since the end of July as well as several starts.
Wyatt Holt (17) - CB - +1
Background: Academy homegrown prospect, not currently signed to a pro contract.
Wyatt Holt has now earned over 1000 minutes in back-to-back seasons for Crown Legacy. An impressive feat for a kid who just turned 17 this Spring. It will be interesting who Kevin Sawchak chooses as his anchors on defense once the playoffs start.
Jahiem Wickham (23) - (GK) - newly added
Background: Drafted in Third Round of 2026 MLS SuperDraft. Signed to Crown Legacy contract.
Jahiem Wickham has been getting more starts down the stretch as he has been trading off a bit with First Team third stringer Isaac Walker for reps. One would imagine Sawchak selects one keeper for the playoff run so it will be interesting to see the direction the Head Coach elects to go with once MLS NP playoffs kick off.
Stats via FBref, FotMob, and Transfermarkt
