Charlotte FC vs Atlas FC Match Preview: Predicted Starting XI and Player Matchup
- TopBin90 Football
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Sean McGuffin (@SeanMCG704) and Rylee McKinney (@rylees_roster)
The Crown will return to The Bank once again this week to face off against Atlas FC in their second group stage match of the Leagues Cup. After a successful Tuesday night against Pumas with a 3-0 win, Charlotte FC will be looking for another 3 points tonight. Head coach Dean Smith presented a heavily rotated squad Tuesday, and fans can expect the same tonight. In a sense, Charlotte will be looking to give their younger and less utilized players this season earn more minutes. Goals from both Archie Goodwin and Tyger Smalls proved that Charlotte's younger players are willing to step up to the plate.
Currently, Charlotte is sitting in first place in Group B while tonight's competition, Atlas FC, landed down in 14th place in Group A. Although Atlas suffered a 3-1 loss to Columbus, it is still early on in the tournament, and is really anyone's game. Tonight's matchup to watch focuses on Charlotte's attacking power against Atlas's defensive stature. With Goodwin looking hungry in the first match, there is a high chance Smith will start him this evening. Yet, he will have to face off against Atlas FC's veteran center-back, Rodrigo Schlegel, making these two our matchup to watch.
Charlotte FC - Striker - Archie Goodwin
Originally brought on to challenge starter Idan Toklomati, this 21-year-old Australian footballer has been electric for Charlotte FC. Despite only starting in two of Charlotte's 16 regular-season matches this year, Goodwin shows extreme potential with three recorded goals. The striker has earned minutes during Charlotte's US Open Cup and Leagues Cup this year, however, scoring one goal in each tournament. Most importantly, Goodwin has the opportunity to put some more goals in the back of the net as it is still early on in the Leagues Cup.
"I thought his performance was good. He was always on the move, he was always getting in really good areas in the penalty box... he's a constant thorn to the center-backs," said Smith during Thursday's presser.
On Tuesday's match against Pumas, Goodwin demonstrated some intense energy, drawing penalties and illustrated a hunger Charlotte's attack is desperately missing in regular-season play. If Goodwin can continue to use his pepped-up energy on the attack tonight, he will surely earn himself another goal....or maybe two.
Atlas FC - Center-Back - Rodrigo Schlegel
Despite their 3-1 loss to Columbus on Tuesday night, defensive center-back Rodrigo Schlegel had made a strong effort. Collectively, the defense blocked six critical shots from Columbus and dominated possession in the second-half. The former Orlando City defender recently made the move to Liga MX in December of 2025. With the Pride, Schlegel played a total of 180 matches from 2018 to 2024. During his last season with Orlando, Schlegel started in all 32 regular season matches and recorded 278 defensive contributions, making him one of the higher ranked defenders at 91.3% according to FotMob. Essentially, his style of play will be familiar to Charlotte and could potentially leave a weak spot in Atlas' defense. Yet, his familiarity with Charlotte might prove to be in his favor as well.
Schlegel will have to be cautious however, as he did earn a yellow card on Tuesday night.
Charlotte FC's predicted starting XI vs Atlas
Here is our Predicted Starting XI as Charlotte takes on Atlas:
Defensive Unit
Tyler Miller had an impressive showing in the opener against Pumas. A clean sheet performance from Miller will likely earn him the starting nod, with the 3-0 win giving Charlotte great positioning early in the tournament. The rest of the backline will be rounded out by David Schnegg, Tim Ream and Morrison Agyemang.
The right back position is harder to predict with both Nathan Byrne and Will Cleary viable options to start. Cleary got the start against Pumas but may be rotated for Byrne.
Nathan Byrne and Kristijan Kahlina will be available as subs
Midfield
We expect the Ashley Westwood, Djibril Diani and Luca De La Torre lineup in the midfield tonight. Even with Brand Bronico scoring the opening goal in his start against Pumas, he is expected to be utilized as a sub against Atlas. Due to the short time between matches we expect Dean Smith to rotate Bronico.
Forward line
Charlotte FC’s youth was on full display on the forward line against Pumas. Starting striker Archie Goodwin scored a goal as well as substitute Tyger Smalls getting his first Charlotte FC goal on a penalty. The starting combination of Pep Biel, Archie Goodwin and Liel Abada is to be expected once again tonight, but it is possible Dean Smith could rotate Goodwin for Idan Toklomati.
Available subs will likely be Idan Toklomati, Tyger Smalls and Rodolfo Aloko.
Predicted Starting XI
