Charlotte FC vs Pumas UNAM Match Preview: Predicted Starting XI and Player Matchup

By Brian Maurer and Sean McGuffin (@SeanMCG704)

Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90

Charlotte FC gets set to take on Mexican powerhouse Pumas UNAM in their opening round game in the Leagues Cup Group Stage tonight. Charlotte has never advanced past the Group Stage in the Dean Smith era and this edition of the new interleague competition poses some intense challenges for the Crown.

Only four teams from the 18 MLS clubs advance to the Quarterfinals which means losing any of the three games this next week means elimination.

Pumas finished top of the Clausura table last season in Liga MX and have won two of their first three games in this year's Apertura. They also have one of the largest fanbases in Mexico, and will expect a strong showing from their supporters in Charlotte.

Charlotte has struggled to control games so earning a result against Pumas could easily come down to how their midfield performs. This is why our key matchup to watch in this one is Luca de la Torre against Pedro Vite.

Luca de la Torre - CM

De la Torre has earned a starting role back since the Crown returned from their World Cup break. Smith has stated how impressed he has been with the USMNT international in training this summer and he has been rewarded with three straight MLS starts.

In the midfielder's last start, he was extremely efficient with the ball completing 51 of 53 passes and was two for two on successful dribbles. If he can maintain that level of ball control while also providing the defensive assistance needed against a talented Pumas attack then Charlotte will have a chance to earn a result tonight.

Pedro Vite - CM

Charlotte fans might be familiar with Pedro Vite as he played for the Vancouver Whitecaps for over three season before transferring to Pumas in 2025. He also played for Ecuador in the World Cup and provided the game tying assist against Germany in the Ecuadorian's massive Group Stage win to advance to the knockout rounds.

Vite is also very efficient on the ball when in form and will also be charged with being active on the defensive side as he was in Pumas' 5-1 win against Juarez where he was involved in 12 total duels.

Charlotte FC's predicted starting XI vs Pumas UNAM

Charlotte FC open Leagues Cup play against Pumas UNAM. Here is our predicted starting 11 against Pumas.

Defensive Unit

Dean Smith rotated between second-string goalkeeper David Bingham and Kristijhan Kahlina during the last Leagues Cup. For that reason, we could see Kristijhan Kahlina get the start against Pumas with Tyler Miller starting later in the tournament. The rest of the defensive unit is harder to predict, with the backline having the most depth of the team. The most likely defensive starters are David Schnegg, Tim Ream, Morrison Agyemang and Nathan Byrne. There is still a good chance that Henry Kessler starts over Morrison and Will Cleary could potentially see a start over David Schnegg. 

If Morrison and Schnegg start, Kessler, Cleary and Privett will be available as subs. Crown Legacy FC players like Andrew Johnson could also be available as there are extra roster spots allowed for this competition.

Midfield 

Pep Biel has been moved to the wing to account for Kerwin Vargas’s departure. Meaning we saw a new midfield dynamic against Chicago. Ashley Westwood will once again captain the team without his attacking midfielder in Pep Biel by his side. Instead we will likely see him paired with Djibril Diani and Luca De La Torre in the midfield.

Brandt Bronico and Baye Coulibaly will be available as subs.

Forward line

As mentioned before Pep Biel was moved to right wing against Chicago Fire and we will likely see the MLS All Star returning to the position against Pumas. Liel Abada is a sure start keeping his left wing spot. Idan Toklomati has the best odds of starting at striker, but Archie Goodwin is a viable starter for the crown as well.

Available subs will be Archie Goodwin, Tyger Smalls, Rodolfo Aloko, and potentially Nathan Richmond from Crown Legacy.

Predicted Starting XI