Charlotte FC vs Austin FC Player Matchup Preview: Wilfried Zaha vs Jon Gallagher
- Rylee Mckinney
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Rylee McKinney
Charlotte FC kicks off its first home match of the season this Saturday against Austin FC. This Eastern/Western Conference clash comes after a rough Matchday two for Charlotte as they suffered a 3-0 loss on the road against the LA Galaxy. So far this season, Austin and Charlotte have each had one draw, yet Austin took home its first win last weekend with a 1-0 defeat over DC United.
The last time Charlotte faced off against Austin FC was back in July of 2024, resulting in a 2-2 draw. Charlotte was under head coach Dean Smith in his first year with the club. Smith led The Crown to a 5th-place finish in the Eastern Conference and shaped the lineup as we know it today.
During the 2024 season, Austin FC finished 10th in the Western Conference. Leading them at the time was head coach Nico Estévez, who replaced Josh Wolff. Under Wolff, Austin FC failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year, prompting his replacement heading into the 2024 season. So, this Saturday’s match will be a head-to-head with the same management for both teams.
Both rosters have made significant changes since that 2-2 result. From the end of 2024 to early 2026, Austin FC underwent a significant roster overhaul, highlighted by the signing of Designated Player Facundo Torres, the departure of veteran Julio Cascante, and the trading of goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland. Despite all the changes, Irish defender Jon Gallagher has been a constant for Austin’s lineup since 2021.
As for Charlotte FC, the departures of Karol Świderski in early 2025 and Patrick Agyemang in late 2025 left their offensive line short-handed. To fill this gap, Charlotte FC announced the signing of former Crystal Palace legend Wilfried Zaha. In his first season with Charlotte FC, Zaha recorded ten goals and five assists during regular-season play. Zaha’s explosive 2025 season helped the team to its 4th-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
Wilfried Zaha - Charlotte FC - Left winger
To say Zaha made waves for Charlotte last season would be an understatement. His flair-driven attacking style created chances in tight one-on-one situations. Most importantly, according to Sports Illustrated writer Ben Steiner, Zaha was the most fouled player last season, suffering a total of 125 fouls. Essentially, Zaha’s oppositional targeting and ability to draw fouls created key opportunities for the club.
Despite a rollercoaster of a 2025 season for Charlotte, Zaha’s efforts salvaged Charlotte’s slipping down the rankings. With 8.47 xG, 5.06 xA, and 39 chances created last season, Zaha will pose a significant threat for Charlotte once more. His direct dribbling style and play-creator mentality should be a challenge for Austin’s backline.
Jon Gallagher - Austin FC - Right back
A staple of Austin FC’s lineup is veteran defender Jon Gallagher. Drafted 14th overall from the University of Notre Dame in 2018, Gallagher first signed on with Atlanta United. In just 16 appearances, Gallagher scored 4 goals for Atlanta. Then, in December of 2020, Gallagher was traded to Austin FC in exchange for $225,00 GAM ahead of Austin’s inaugural season in 2021.
Under Austin FC, Gallagher transitioned from a winger to a right-back, becoming a regular for the squad. Despite his defensive shift, he is a consistent goal threat. Gallagher has since contributed 14 goals and 11 assists during the 2021-2025 regular seasons. By 2023, Gallagher signed a four-year deal with Austin FC, securing his place with his extreme versatility. Gallagher ultimately brings significant intensity and reliability to the Verde and Black. His veteran experience and unique attacking presence could prove to be a difficult task to handle for Charlotte FC.
Summary
Zaha and Gallagher will be the clash to watch this week. Each player’s unique abilities will create tension on the wing but also balance out both sides. Most likely, Gallagher will have to sit more defensively this week to closely monitor Zaha’s attack. Yet Zaha will have to fall back and take on any offensive efforts from Gallagher.
Most importantly, Zaha will need to keep his composure this week to avoid picking up any penalties or cards. Without Zaha’s aggressive style on offense, Charlotte might leave a gap for Gallagher to demonstrate his winger abilities.
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