Charlotte FC Stock Up, Stock Down: Lazy defending costs The Crown; offense stagnant without Zaha

By Sam Vanolinda

Adilson Malanda (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

Charlotte FC began its playoff run Tuesday night, hosting NYCFC at the Bank on a cold, rainy night in the Queen City.

The bleak weather foreshadowed a poor performance for Charlotte, with a 0-1 loss leaving them with a hill to climb to advance to the next round.

The Crown didn’t have a clear-cut big chance in the game and was outshot 12-10 by New York. The team lacked any creativity, delivering aimless cross after aimless cross into the box.

I had a feeling Wilfried Zaha’s absence could have a massive impact on this game, but I also hoped Charlotte could squeeze out a win. But it was not to be. The gap left by Zaha was not filled by Liel Abada, who had a frightful game on this Halloween week.

It was a frustrating watch because you could see how valuable Zaha would’ve been in such a physical and tense playoff game. This was the type of situation he thrives in, but his emotions took a toll on the team.

All we can do now is look towards Yankee Stadium. Zaha has the chance to redeem himself and solidify all the great work he has done this season by carrying the team to victory. Harry Toffolo said post-game Zaha delivered a talk to the team and is “raring to go.”

Here’s the stock up/stock down for Tuesday night’s defeat:

Stock Up:

Kerwin Vargas

In a game where no players stood out, Vargas at least showed some heart and looked more lively than any other attacker.

His deflected shot early in the second half was one of Charlotte’s only half-chances of the game. 

Vargas thrives when Zaha draws the defender's attention on the other side of the field, but he still had a solid game against New York; he will make a significant impact on Saturday.

Stock Down:

Harry Toffolo, Tim Ream, Adilson Malanda

Overall, these three didn't have horrible games, but they were all culprits as Alonso Martinez dribbled through them like training cones and scored the game-winning goal.

Defending is a tough job because you can play well and be judged because of one moment, but in a playoff game at home, you cannot lose focus like they did.

Credit to Martinez for a world-class solo effort, but the defense was middle school-level. 

Liel Abada

Abada had a chance to solidify his future at Charlotte with a great performance in this game. After being benched during the season, Zaha’s suspension gave him a chance to shine.

He then lost possession on his first touch of the game and had absolutely no impact on the match.

Abada was subbed in the 65th minute with zero chances created, zero successful dribbles, and was dispossessed twice.

Idan Toklomati 

Toklomati was tested on his ability to create chances for himself with both Biel and Zaha out. While he did make one chance for Bronico in the first half, he was shut down for most of the game.

Toklomati has excelled with the service provided to him, but he can understandably struggle when the offense is stagnant.

It doesn’t help that the service he received was mediocre. The team ran out of ideas in the second half, and the crosses were being met by a low block that was impossible to break down.

Toklomati could have a significant impact in Yankee Stadium with Zaha back in the lineup.

Djibril Diani 

Diani was too loose with possession in the first half. His turnovers created dangerous counterattacking opportunities for NYCFC, who hit the crossbar directly after Diani turned the ball over. 

While the Frenchman has flashes of brilliance at times, pushing the ball forward effectively, he is too inconsistent, and being clumsy with the ball in a vulnerable position like center mid is a recipe for disaster. 

Wilfried Zaha

I don't want to pile the blame on Zaha, but every single Charlotte FC fan knows how much he would've impacted this game.

Towards the end of the season, Zaha was putting the offense on his back, scoring, assisting, and drawing fouls to create set-piece opportunities.

He fits so perfectly in an intense playoff atmosphere. Playing in the Premier League for so long, he embraces physicality and big moments.

With that said, I have all the confidence in the world that he will deliver in Yankee Stadium and send us back to Charlotte for game three.