Charlotte FC vs New York City FC Match Preview: Predicted Starting XI and Player Matchup
- TopBin90 Football
- 20 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Rylee McKinney - @rylees_roster and Sean McGuffin - @SeanMCG704
The Queen City will light up in blue and white slightly earlier this week for a midweek matchup against NYCFC.
Matchday 12 proved victorious for some but much less for others. Charlotte’s 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati was not enough to hold their spot in the standings, dropping them to 8th place.
On the other hand, NYCFC had a momentous 3-0 win over Columbus Crew, pushing them into 7th place in the Eastern Conference.
As the World Cup break approaches, every matchday matters.
Tensions surrounding Charlotte’s performance as of late will be tangible Wednesday night. The Crown’s on-the-road losses have only raised the expectations for fans as of late.
With NYCFC’s steady performance and attacking power, this midweek match will be a taste of Charlotte’s projected journey heading into the second half of the season.
The last time Charlotte met NYCFC was in mid-April. At Etihad Park, Charlotte managed a 2-1 win with a game-winning goal from Kerwin Vargas.
However, within only a few weeks, rosters have shifted, especially for Charlotte. Injuries such as those of Henry Kessler, Tim Ream, and Harry Toffolo have transformed Dean Smith’s Starting XI.
Additionally, looming reports and talks about Wilfried Zaha and Liel Abada’s potential departures threaten Charlotte’s attacking front.
Comparatively, the Pigeon’s attacking line is as strong as it's ever been. The combination of high-intensity and versatile players in the midfield and forward line allows them to overload defenders, who will be a threat to Charlotte’s fluctuating back line.
With Charlotte’s defense expected to be bombarded, attention will turn to the front line’s ability to finish key opportunities.
With zero goal contributions in the last month, Wilfried Zaha becomes our focus heading into tonight’s match.
So, this week’s matchup looks at the power of Charlotte’s most notable DP and NYCFC’s right back, Tayvon Gray.
Wilfried Zaha - CLTFC - Left Wing
As the Crown heads into Matchday 13, star DP Wilfried Zaha has only recorded two goals and one assist.
Last season, Zaha quickly became a household name in Charlotte, earning 10 goals plus six assists in regular-season play. His performance this season does not quite feel like him.
Granted, Zaha is one of the most fouled players in the league. According to FOX Sports, Zaha received over 130 fouls in 2025.
Targeting, consequently, is a primary concern for Charlotte’s coaching staff.
Yet, rumors circulating about Zaha’s contract situation might also be motivating his recent performances.
Zaha’s stats in the 2026 regular season so far are not a definite indication of his abilities as a player, however.
The DP’s precise dribbling often creates plays out of nothing. His success in one-on-one situations and ability to draw fouls create many essential moments for Charlotte in the attacking third, especially with the team's improvements on set pieces.
Tayvon Gray - NYCFC - Right Fullback
Tayvon Gray has been a consistent presence for NYCFC’s quality of play. Gray was even NYCFC’s best attacking defender in 2024, leading the squad in assists (7) and finishing fifth in total goal contributions (8).
The 23-year-old fullback has started in 11 matches for NYCFC in the 2026 regular season, even earning a game-winning goal in stoppage time against Philadelphia back in March.
According to FotMob, Gray ranks in the 86th percentile at fullback across the league in defensive contributions, with 65. His strong 1v1 defending, versatility, and increasing offensive contribution make him a tactical threat to Charlotte’s left wing.
Most importantly, Gray is not limited to his role as a fullback.
Rather, he is a highly effective center-back in a back-three formation, bringing his positional versatility with him wherever he goes on the field.
Another notable feature of Gray’s style of play is his composure and consistency. His reliable presence in high-stakes matches despite his young age makes him a rare gem as a homegrown player.
Summary
Tonight features a high-stakes Eastern Conference matchup, with 8th-place Charlotte FC seeking to overcome its recent string of defeats against a surging 7th-place NYCFC.
Tonight's key matchup between Charlotte’s prized winger, Wilfried Zaha, and consistent NYCFC right-back Tayvon Gray is a reflection of both teams’ current standings.
With Matchday 14 right around the corner, this midweek match will be a test of both teams’ endurance ahead of the World Cup break.
Charlotte FC's Predicted Starting XI
Defensive Unit
Tim Ream’s return gave Charlotte’s backline a much-needed boost. After giving up two goals in the first half against Cincinnati, the backline of Ream, David Schnegg, Morrison Agyemang, and Nathan Byrne held their own and kept Cincinnati off the scoreboard for the final 45+. Morrison had an especially impressive block to keep the score 2-2. Kristijan Kahlina remains in goal. Dean Smith seems to have found his go-to backline with Ream back in the lineup.
Will Cleary and Andrew Privett will be available as defensive subs.
Midfield
Captain Ashley Westwood will be absent from tonight's match due to Yellow Card accumulation. Djibril Diani will likely take his spot alongside Pep Biel, leaving an open spot in the midfield. Once again, it comes down to the club veteran, Brandt Bronico, the newcomer Luca de la Torre, or the homegrown Aron John. In the absence of Ashley Westwood, Smith may rely on Bronico to bring experience and leadership to the midfield.
In that scenario, de la Torre and John will be available from the bench.
Forward line
Idan Toklomati ended a goal-scoring drought this past weekend against Cincinnati. He’ll be the starting striker against a New York City team that Toklomati has already scored on once this season. Wilfried Zaha will start alongside him. Kerwin Vargas, Rodolfo Aloko, and Liel Abada have all been rotating for the starting right wing position. Vargas earned a start against Cincinnati before being subbed off for Abada. Dean Smith noted post-match that Abada has been impressing the coaches in practice lately, but it’s unclear if he has impressed his way back into the starting lineup just yet. Vargas is still the most likely to start at right wing.
Abada, Aloko, Tyger Smalls, and Archie Goodwin will be available as subs.
Predicted Starting XI
Stats from TransferMarkt, FotMob, and MLS