Charlotte FC Stock Up, Stock Down: Swiderski scores a PK, Westwood continues his run of CLT POTY performances

By Sam Vanolinda

Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90

Charlotte FC continued its road trip with two draws this week, 1-1 vs Columbus and 2-2 in a great game against Austin FC.

Świderski returned to the lineup earlier than expected on Saturday night and marked his return with a well-taken penalty. 

This road stretch was marked at the start of the season as a brutal run of games. The team has impressed with its resiliency especially grabbing a point late versus Columbus after being dominated all game.

Here is the stock up/down for last week's games.

Stock Up

Karol Świderski 

Świderski returned to Charlotte FC with a key goal in securing the point versus Austin. He could've had three goals after rounding the keeper and hitting the post early in the second half, and then having a point-blank header saved minutes after, but his stock still increases scoring in his first game back.

Świderski returned in the 9 role, as a lone striker who was replaced by Patrick Agyemang. The debate is out on whether he could be more effective in the 10 alongside Agyemang, but his creativity and leadership were shown Saturday night.

His return takes this team to the next level, especially when Liel Abada is back in the lineup. The quality of those two players is elite in MLS.

Iuri Tavares

Tavares has had a resurgence lately as one of Charlotte’s most electric players. He scored what seemed to be the winning goal against Austin. He has the knack for being in the right position at the right time lately.

Tavares had four shots and eight touches in the opponent's box, and he also won the penalty that Świderski scored in the first half against Austin FC. 

He has been effective in filling in as a striker and also at the left-wing position in the last few games a turn in the right direction for a player who started the season well but then had a rough stretch.

Ashley Westwood

You could put Westwood on the stock-up list every single week. He looks to be well ahead as Player of the Year for Charlotte FC.

Not only is he solid defensively, keeping the structure of the team in the middle of the field, but he has been passing like Iniesta as of late, finding little pockets of space at the edge of the box to whip in angled balls that create chance after chance for the Crown.

He could’ve had multiple assists against Austin, but was able to pick up one with the great cross to Tavares, against Colombus he had four chances created, 14 passes into the final third, six interceptions, and nine recoveries.

Westwood sits ninth in the MLS in progressive passes, and fifth in passes into the final third. All on a team that does not dominate possession by any means.

Bill Tuiloma

Tuiloma spent much of the season on the bench but was able to return after an Andrew Privett injury against Colombus.

He was solid in his appearance, and his long ball set up the Agyemang goal. 

Tuiloma may not be a modern ball-playing center-back, but he may be the best player on the team at winning duels and clearing the ball when defending in a low block.

Stock Down

Kerwin Vargas

Vargas had two games last week in which he wasn’t much of a factor. He wasn’t able to contribute and drive forward on the wing like he has been able to this season.

He had zero chances created in the two games, with 0.19 xG. He is known to have stretches when he struggles, but he usually bounces back. Look for him to stand out in the next game.

Summary 

Charlotte FC is taking a break from MLS play as they continue on the road with a Leagues Cup matchup versus the Philadelphia Union.

A good time to take a step back and summarize this season; Charlotte has exceeded expectations this year under Dean Smith. As the schedule gets easier and the team returns to the Bank, I think they will pick up some big wins as we head towards the playoffs. 

I began my TopBin journey at the start of the Leagues Cup last year. After a year of writing about this team, I think they are at a better point than when I started. I am grateful to be able to create content around this organization and its great fans.