Could Charlotte FC's Kahlina or Malanda become an MLS All-Star replacement?

By Brian Maurer

Adilson Malanda (Photo courtesy of Cisco's Art/TopBin90)

Charlotte FC fans were up in arms after the MLS All-Star Game roster had zero Charlotte representation for the third straight season. With the MLS ASG approaching fast, injuries, suspensions, and transfers could allow other players to fill in as replacements. This opens the door for the Crown to have their first MLS All-Star.

Here are the current MLS All-Stars who could, or will, miss the festivities next week:

Lionel Messi - Messi suffered what looked to be a significant ankle injury. The footage from the Copa America Final showed significant swelling and that was after he fell with no contact trying to play through the injury. Messi will likely need recovery time for the final stretch of the MLS season.

Chicho Arango - Arango was recently suspended for four games which will include the MLS ASG. The Real Salt Lake striker will for sure be off the roster.

Justen Glad - Glad has not played since June 1. It is unclear whether his injury will keep him off the ASG roster. This past week Glad was listed as questionable on the MLS Status Report. This leaves the door open for him to be a participant.

Miles Robinson - Robinson was called up as one of three players over 23 for the USMNT Olympics roster. Robinson is reportedly leaving for Marseille this week so he will not participate in the ASG.

Maarten Paes - Paes has a reported offer from Serie A club Empoli. Fabrizio Romano reported that he has agreed to personal terms. If the deal gets across the line Paes may not be an MLS player by the ASG.

If these five players all have to miss the ASG next week, Charlotte should have a decent chance of having one of their players picked as a replacement. The most likely are Kristijan Kahlina and Adilson Malanda.

There currently is a center-back vacancy being left by Robinson, so of the two, Malanda seems the most likely Charlotte candidate.

There is also a chance that no replacements will be made. The initial ASG roster was set to have 26 players on it. That roster was expanded to 30 likely anticipating this type of situation.

Goalie Wars and MLS NEXT ASG

Charlotte will have a representative for Goalie Wars again in 2024. Chituru Odunze will look to defend Isaac Walker’s belt for Crown Legacy FC during the ASG festivities. 

Charlotte FC’s Academy will also have representation in Columbus as Jayson Quintanilla and Simon Tonidandel were added to the Eastern Conference roster.