Charlotte FC Stock Up, Stock Down: Two-goal disaster in extra time; Vargas misses golden chances; Smith needs to take accountability.

By Sam Vanolinda

Wilfried Zaha and Nick Scardina (Photo Courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90)

Oh man.

That was a tough one—another gut-wrenching, calamitous, and downright sad game for Charlotte FC.

It seemed to be a habit that was long gone, a memory of the Lattanzio-led team of two years ago, where the team would repeatedly collapse in late moments.

However, it has now returned, and the team has dropped five points in extra time in their last two games. 

Every single Charlotte fan could feel the energy change when Kerwin Vargas had his third chance to go up 2-0, saved by John Pulskamp. After that moment, the two goals given up in extra time seemed inevitable. 

Here’s the stock up, stock down after the 1-2 loss in Kansas City.

Stock Up

Idan Toklomati

While Toklomati’s finishing in general wasn’t excellent Wednesday night, he still worked hard to get into good positions and managed to score a great goal.

His flicked finish in the first half was well beyond his age and experience level. Strikers who can finish in creative ways like that will always be a positive addition to any team.

With Agyemang rumoured to be on his way to play in England, Toklomati stepped up to the plate and proved why he deserves to play for this team.

He showed his usual great energy and combined well with Biel, making some good passes into the wingers as well. 

While his finish was in vain, it was good to see the striker of the future get back on the scoresheet.

Souleyman Doumbia

Doumbia had a good game from the left-back position. He was able to grab an assist after a great run and a solid pass from Wilfried Zaha into his path.

His low cross found Toklomati in the perfect spot to finish the way he did. 

Besides his assist, Doumbia was solid, not outstanding. He was 86% on passing with three into the final third. He also won a tackle and had four recoveries.

We are grasping at straws, trying to find players whose stock went up after the team's performance, but Doumbia had a decent game.

Stock Down

Kerwin Vargas

Vargas’ stock wasn’t high in the first place, but this performance plummeted it, to say the least. In the space of a couple of minutes, Vargas had three gleaming chances to secure three points.

Three one-on-one chances in a row. While his effort to get into those positions, especially the first chance, where he won the ball, was good, everything else was utterly disappointing. 

Not only did Vargas miss, but he also had the chance to slide the ball across the goal for a tap-in during the first and second chances, but he shot from a tough angle.

The third chance, he had all the time in the world to line up a shot and put it straight into the keeper. 

It was obvious that Vargas was selfish because he is not a guaranteed starter on the right side at the moment. By trying to prove himself with a goal, he single-handedly ruined the match for the Crown. 

This proves why Charlotte FC needs to find a right wing that they can have faith in during the summer. Abada is not worth the money he is paid, and he also missed a one-on-one chance in the second half. 

Kristijan Kahlina

Kahlina has always been more of a shot-stopper than a sweeper keeper. With that said, his decision-making and quickness were poor in this game.

He looks like he has lost all that Golden Glove confidence that he had last season. 

I'm not blaming him for the goals, but in both instances, he could have come out of the six-yard box much quicker to close down the angle for the attacker.

It’s like he wanted the Sporting Kansas City players to have all the time in the world to slot the ball home and get the win calmly. 

I would rather my keeper make quick, decisive decisions to come out of the box and try to close down the attacker, making a mistake every once in a while, than sit there and watch the attacker control the ball and pick a spot in the goal to shoot and score. 

Adilson Malanda

It was obvious Malanda would have a rough game after his first contribution was passing the ball straight out for a throw-in with no pressure on him.

He seemed discombobulated; he didn’t win a tackle all game, and was dribbled past twice. 

I don't know if that European interest made him overconfident, but as a center back, you cannot afford to lose focus for even a moment during a game.

Even if you defend well enough for 90 minutes, we all know how everything can collapse, especially on the road against a team with momentum. 

Andrew Privett

While Malanda had a worse game overall, Privett is the center of attention for both of the goals allowed.

Not fast enough, not strong enough, and as a center back, not enough of a leader to take the moment into his own hands and prevent both Mason Toye from getting his shot off, and Santiago Muñoz from getting his pass off. 

For the first goal, instead of getting his body in the way of the lobbed pass, he stabs at the ball lazily and allows Toye to control and finish.

For the second goal, he is overpowered by the 5 ft 8 Muñoz; he never even attempts to make a tackle.

I understand the center backs these days are afraid to concede penalties when trying to muscle out an attacker in the box, but you have to do something in that situation.

It is happening week after week, after such a dominant defensive start to the season. Lapses of concentration are costing Charlotte point after point. 

The leadership of Nathan Bryne was completely underrated, because everything has gone wrong on the defensive end since his injury. 

Dean Smith

Smith needs to take more accountability and ensure his players are better prepared for these situations. 

Instead of taking some of the blame for the loss, Smith repeatedly talked about him thinking the first SKC goal was offside. 

Instead of making excuses every week and going at the refs, stand up as the leader of the team and take more accountability. Try to motivate the players and get them better prepared for future games. 

I don't know what the fitness or sharpness of Bronico was for this game, but starting Williamson over him was also questionable.

Charlotte FC hasn’t won a game without Bronico in the starting lineup since May 15, 2024. 

Smith now needs to go on a winning run, or the fans will start to turn their back on him entirely.

Dishonorable Mentions: Wilfried Zaha, Eryk Williamson, Liel Abada.