Charlotte FC Stock Up, Stock Down: Charlotte FC secures fourth place; Zaha's red card suspends him for game one

By Sam Vanolinda

Photo Courtesy of CJ Hellner

Charlotte FC faced the Supporters Shield winners, Philadelphia Union, in the final game of the season on Decision Day. A 2-0 win secured a fourth-place finish for Charlotte FC and home-field advantage in the first round.

While this was a great victory against a strong team, guaranteeing a first-round matchup with NYCFC, it ended on a sour note when Zaha lost his temper and received a red card, suspending him for the first playoff game and potentially longer.

There is a question of whether Zaha should’ve been on the field with the game all but over, but a veteran player like him cannot let his temper overcome him. He pushed Jesus Bueno and received the second yellow, sending him off in the 90th minute.

Here is the final stock up, stock down of the 2025 season. It has been a fun ride:

Stock Up

Kerwin Vargas

Vargas has had a fantastic season for the Crown. After fighting for his spot in the starting lineup at the start of the year, he has significantly matured and become a key player for the team's first top-four finish.

Vargas has come up with key goals throughout the year, finishing with six goals and three assists, and appearing in every game.

It's safe to say he has the right-wing position on lock, and being only 23 years old with a contract that runs through 2027, the future is bright.

Vargas ended his season with an impressive goal. After controlling a great switch ball by Harry Toffolo, he smashed it on the half-volley into the bottom corner, sending the Bank into a frenzy.

Vargas will have to step up even further in the first game of the playoffs with Zaha out. He should be moved to the left wing with Abada back on the right side. Let's hope he can continue his momentum and help the team win against NYCFC.

Harry Toffolo

Toffolo looked great before coming down with an injury in his first Charlotte FC game. He made his return to the lineup for the season finale and was great.

He combined amazingly with Wilfried Zaha, especially in the first half, and grabbed an assist with his excellent ball into Vargas for the second goal.

Adding Toffolo going into the playoffs is an emphatic boost for the team. It's a shame he won't be able to combine with Zaha in game one.

Kristijan Kahlina

Kahlina ended the season with a clean sheet and five saves to keep the dangerous Philadelphia attack off the scoresheet.

Kahlina had 1.5 goals prevented. Despite a rough start to the 2025 season, the Croatian has returned to his form towards the end, propelling Charlotte FC into a top-four finish.

Kahlina ended the year with 12 clean sheets in 32 appearances, which is second in the MLS behind Yohei Takaoka (according to MLSsoccer.com) 

Kahlina also led the league in saves with 129. He made a big case for another goalkeeper of the year award.

Stock Down:

Wilfried Zaha:

I did not think I would have Zaha on the stock down list after the first 90 minutes of the game.

He had a great goal and was strolling towards the victory with just minutes to play. 

And then he made a boneheaded mistake that could have a massive impact on this team's hopes for a deep playoff run.

Zaha’s fiery personality is what makes him great, but it can also come back to bite him. Players are always going to be physical with him and try to get on his nerves because of his talent, and he was baited into a red card by a team that had already secured first place in the East.

Do you think Philadelphia wants to face Zaha in the playoffs? That is the exact reason why they were trying to frustrate Zaha, and he fell for the bait.

I still have confidence in this team at home against NYCFC, and this red card may be forgotten about, but it could also cost this team dearly.

Summary:

It has been an honor, as always, to be able to write these weekly Stock Up/Stock Down articles for this season. It has been a joy to watch this team and keep up with these talented players as they secure their best-ever finish.

I know the Bank will be electric on the 28th. I'm excited to see if this team can bring some silverware to Charlotte.