Crowning April's Finest: Charlotte FC's top 3 performers of the month
- Rylee Mckinney
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
By Rylee McKinney - @rylees_roster
April, April, April. What a month you have been for Charlotte FC. The Crown has spent the last month delicately balancing the demands of the U.S. Open Cup and regular season.
Most importantly, Charlotte has been on the road for most of April, braving the storm without their trusted supporters.
Despite kicking off the month with a 2-1 win over 2025 Supporters’ Shield winners, Philadelphia Union, Charlotte has suffered major losses. Two against Nashville SC and a 4-1 loss to Orlando City, who sit toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
It appears the only success Charlotte found was during their US Open Cup run, when they defeated USL side Charlotte Independence in the first round. However, their run ended in the Round of 16 against Atlanta United on Tuesday.
Although April has not been particularly amazing for Charlotte FC, three key players continue to stand out through the noise. Here’s a look at Charlotte’s top three performers for April.
Pep Biel
Their attacking midfielder entered 2026 hungry after suffering a hamstring injury at the end of regular-season play last year.
Biel has started in all 10 matches this season, but has particularly shone in April’s matches.
He has only scored one goal in April, but has made significant offensive contributions through assists. Biel has earned assists against Philadelphia, New York City FC (the game-winner), and Orlando.
Although Dean Smith continues to rotate Brandt Bronico, Djibril Diani, and Luca de la Torre in the midfield triangle, he continues to start Pep Biel, who is one of, if not the first name, written on the lineup sheet.
Biel’s persistent defensive work rate and attacking threat give fans a sense of hope despite the team’s difficulty on the road.
Archie Goodwin
Emerging from the woodwork is Australia's own Archie Goodwin. The 21-year-old made headlines in April, especially with his performance during the U.S. Open Cup.
Starting in the First Round of the USOC against Independence, Goodwin earned a goal in first-half stoppage time, ultimately helping Charlotte advance to the Round of 16.
But his efforts did not stop there. During Charlotte’s mid-month match against EC superpower Nashville SC, Goodwin came on as a substitute. He stepped on the pitch for Idan Toklomati, who missed a penalty kick in the 64th minute.
In the 88th minute, Goodwin did the unthinkable, drawing a penalty from Nashville’s keeper at the edge of the box. The stadium erupted in thunderous cheers as Goodwin buried his penalty into the net.
Commenting on Goodwin’s good form and whether or not it will earn him more minutes over Toklomati in the coming weeks, Dean Smith commented: “In my head, yes, I think in Idan’s head, yes as well.”
Besides the goals he scored, he continues to push for more minutes and a larger role in the attack.
Morrison
In the wake of Adilson Malanda’s departure, a new center back has emerged from Charlotte’s pathway: Morrison Agyemang.
What makes Morrison’s April performance exceptional is ultimately his scoring, escaping the limitations of his defender status. His two goals were earned during Charlotte’s regular-season match against Orlando City and its second regular-season match against Nashville SC.
Morrison is one goal away from matching Charlotte’s starting striker, Toklomati, in goals this season (3).
On defense, Morrison’s physicality has been a lifesaver for their backline. With Tim Ream and Harry Toffolo recently suffering injuries, Morrison has stepped up. He has even made crucial blocks in the box, showcasing his speed and versatility on the back line.
Although Morrison is young, his skills have shown immensely throughout April.
Summary
The month of April has tested Charlotte in every way, from depth to resilience to consistency. Their demanding road schedule and difficult losses have exposed some major gaps. But it also revealed something just as important: reliability.
Players like Pep Biel, Archie Goodwin, and Morrison have provided sparks of optimism. Their effort is a foundation for Charlotte to build upon.
If Charlotte can translate their individual performances into cohesive results, April could be remembered as a turning point rather than a struggle in the 2026 season.
Charlotte FC’s May Schedule
May 2nd: at New England Revolution
May 9th: vs FC Cincinnati
May 13th: vs New York City FC
May 16th: vs Toronto FC
May 23: vs New England Revolution
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