Charlotte FC Stock Up, Stock Down, Leagues Cup Edition

By Sam Vanolinda

Charlotte FC's Starting XI against Chivas (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90)

This Leagues Cup run for Charlotte FC wasn’t a very memorable one. With that said, it gave us a good chance to assess the team's depth and for some younger or less-used players to get some playing time.

The first 1-4 loss versus the struggling Liga MX side FC Juárez set the tone for the tournament. After that performance, there was little confidence that the Crown would move on to the next phase.

The team came out in a lackadaisical manner and felt the consequences, giving up four goals. It felt like the players didn't want to be there and didn't take the competition seriously.

The second game had more intensity from Charlotte, but the team had to adjust its lineup due to Idan Toklomati’s red card due to a headbutt in the first game. It ended 2-2 with a late Kerwin Vargas goal, and the Crown lost on penalties.

With nothing to play for in the third game, Smith put out a lineup with some younger and less experienced players. Nikola Petkovic, Tyger Smalls, and Brandon Cambridge all made the starting 11.

The team played freely, and after a slow first half, scored two goals in the second to achieve a confidence-building 2-0 victory against Monterrey. 

Despite the team missing out on another piece of silverware, at least they ended on a positive note and can refocus on the playoff push in the MLS.

Here’s the stock up, stock down after the three Leagues Cup games:

Stock Up:

Brandon Cambridge

Cambridge is a player who has dealt with unfortunate injuries since he scored two goals on his fourth appearance for the club in 2023.

It was great to see the 23-year-old back on the field against Monterrey, and he managed to get onto the stat sheet with an assist to Tyger Smalls for the second goal of the game.

“It was nice to be back,” Cambridge said post-game. “It’s been a while, I've had some unlucky injuries, it was good to be back with the team, also contribute and help get the win tonight…. I knew this was an opportunity for me and a couple other of the young guys to come in and make an impact, grabbing an assist and playing the full 90, I think I did just that.”

Couldn’t say it any better than the young winger. He dealt with the terrible injuries and the adversity that comes with that, and returned ready to help the team win and prove himself.

Let’s hope that he can continue to stay healthy and make more appearances as the season continues. At 23 years old, he still has plenty of potential. 

Tyger Smalls

Like Cambridge, Smalls is another young player with plenty to prove. While he has made some brief appearances this year, substituting late in the game in the striker position, he got a full 90 minutes to showcase his talents on Thursday night.

Managing to get on the score sheet will do a lot for the confidence of the youngster. While he wasn’t dominating the game, with just 14 touches, he was bright and lively and never stopped hustling, which led to his tap-in in the 60th minute.

The game, having little tournament significance, may have been a blessing in disguise for Charlotte; it allowed two young fringe players to gain meaningful minutes against good competition, raising their stock and giving them confidence for the future.

Kerwin Vargas

Vargas has experienced a notable resurgence in recent games. He has stepped up his level of play and proven why he deserves to be the starting RW for the team.

He didn’t start the first game of the tournament. In the second game, against Chivas, Vargas was the hero in the 90th minute, bending in a free kick from an auspicious angle and forcing penalties.

Vargas has a goal contribution in four straight starts now. He will need to step up even further from a creative perspective now that Pep Biel is sidelined with a hamstring injury. 

Honorable Mentions: Liel Abada ( one goal, one assist), Nathan Byrne (returned from injury), Bill Tuiloma (goal) 

Stock Down:

Idan Toklomati

It seemed like Toklomati’s stock would continue to skyrocket when he scored the game-tieing goal against FC Juárez. 

Unfortunately, things took a dark turn after that point. Juárez was playing a rough game and getting under the skin of the Charlotte FC players, and it all boiled over when Toklomati headbutted an opponent in an angry moment in the 80th minute.

Toklomati received a red card, obviously, and the team had to work without its starting striker for the next game against Chivas.

It shows the highs and lows of being a young football player. One moment, he was celebrating a goal, and later in the game, he had to walk off the field in a moment we will all want to forget. 

Toklomati did return for the Monterrey game, but did not have much impact. It will be a tournament he will want to forget, but he will likely bounce back against Cincinnati on Sunday.

Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty

Marshall-Rutty has had some good appearances for Charlotte, but looked slightly lost in his Leagues Cup games. 

Defensively, he was shaky and did not provide much going forward. With the arrival of Harry Toffolo, his position could be in jeopardy.

For the first Juarez goal, Marshall-Rutty lost his defender on the far post and allowed him to get a clean header off. For the second Juarez goal, he completely misjudges a ball into the Madson and is left in the dust before the Brazilian finishes near post.

Those are two goals that are partially or fully at the young Canadian's fault.