Charlotte FC’s Top Three Performers in May
- Rylee Mckinney
- 60 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Rylee McKinney
May was a long month for Charlotte FC, marked by a mix of ups and downs. The team played a total of nine matches in May, including seven regular MLS matches and two U.S. Open Cup matches. Out of those nine matches, seven were played on the road, and only two were at home. After their 1-0 loss to the New England Revolution at the end of April, Charlotte FC appeared to unravel, dropping in rankings each week.
In addition to their regular-season struggles, Charlotte FC's U.S. Open Cup dreams ended in the Round of 16 against DC United in a penalty shootout. With a 5 match MLS regular-season losing streak and a failed Open Cup attempt, tensions grew on and off the field. By the end of May, Charlotte FC not only fell out of the top four in the Eastern Conference but also dropped to eighth place.
Fortunately, Charlotte FC slipped in a 3-2 win over Columbus and a 2-0 win over Toronto towards the end of the month, slowly recovering their winning ways. The squad has earned a much-needed break and will return to play on June 14th against the Philadelphia Union.
Here are our picks for Charlotte FC’s top three performers in May:
Wilfried Zaha
Intense pressure found the former Crystal Palace player, and he spent many weeks asking for patience as he adjusted to the MLS and Charlotte FC’s style of play. Yet, in a mid-May press conference, Zaha stated that he had no problem “being the villain” for Charlotte FC. Apparently, he took that role seriously. In May, Zaha scored two goals, one against the Columbus Crew and one against Orlando. He even contributed two assists and, most importantly, has become a critical threat for Charlotte FC in the attacking third.
Overnight, Charlotte FC fans finally saw a glimpse of Premier League quality in the MLS, granting Zaha the grace he needed. His direct 1v1 attack in opponents’ boxes and dynamic creativity in moments of transition have provided some relief to Charlotte FC’s sudden disconnect.
Patrick Agyemang
Agyemang’s list of accomplishments far exceeded expectations, and he simply keeps pushing the limits. Not only did Agyemang score three goals and one assist in May, but he also earned Man of the Match after his brace against the Columbus Crew. So far this season, Agyemang holds the title for the most goals scored by Charlotte FC with six goals.
But the list does not stop there! Agyemang was named to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s June training camp roster on May 22nd. Then, MLS hit Agyemang with a massive highlight reel, earning him a spot on the Team of the Matchday and Player of the Matchday for Matchday 15. Agyemang’s resume surely received a facelift in May, once again proving his worth for Charlotte FC.
Pep Biel
Midfielder Biel keeps on moving up the rankings for Charlotte FC. Last month, Biel was featured in our picks for April’s top three performers, and he shows no signs of slowing down. After recovering from a hamstring strain, Pep Biel returned to the pitch, scoring against the Columbus Crew and Toronto.
Alongside Agyemang, Pep Biel earned a spot on MLS’s Team of the Matchday for Matchday 15. Charlotte FC’s midfield excels with Biel on the pitch, as he has scored five goals and contributed seven assists for Charlotte FC so far this season. Biel’s triumph over adversity alone defines his credibility and spot in our rankings.
Summary
For Charlotte FC, May has been a month of mayhem. With nine matches, predominantly on the road, Charlotte FC’s performance has reflected the ups and downs of soccer. The slight shift in starting positions and pressure to get back to what Dean Smith coined as “winning ways” has raised the expectations for Charlotte FC. The team concluded May with a 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew, a 4-2 loss to the New York Red Bulls, and a 2-0 win over Toronto, leaving fans with mixed feelings.
June will prove to be a month where everyone’s eyes will be on Charlotte FC. Charlotte will return after a quick break to face the number one team in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Union. This matchup will determine whether Charlotte FC will turn things around for the rest of the season. Charlotte FC will only have three matches in June, allowing for ample time for rest and recovery.
Charlotte FC’s June Schedule
June 14th: at Philadelphia Union
June 25th: at Sporting KC
June 28th: at Chicago Fire FC
*All stats were pulled from FBRef