Dean Smith raising Charlotte FC's floor: The Crown has the opportunity to build on a rare streak in MLS

By Brian Maurer

Dean Smith addressing Charlotte FC supporters (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

Dean Smith has led Charlotte FC to over 50 points in each of his first two seasons. Increasing the points floor of his predecessors by 30% (55 points average, compared to 42.5). In fact, there is an opportunity this season for Smith to put the Crown in far more rare company if they can reach the 50-point mark again.

Three teams in the Eastern Conference have achieved 50+ points each of the last three seasons (FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, and Orlando City). The Seattle Sounders and LAFC are on three-year 50+ point streaks in the Western Conference. Only one team in all of MLS has hit the 50-point mark in the last four seasons (LAFC). The Black and Gold has also hit the 50-point mark in six of seven seasons since its inaugural year in 2018 (excluding 2020*). This gives them a strong argument that they are the highest level in terms of consistency in MLS today.

Charlotte is currently one of nine teams in MLS to have hit the 50-point number each of the past two years, with an opportunity to join what will likely be an exclusive group if they can hit 50 again this season. As of now, hitting 50 points in four straight seasons seems to be the number that really starts to set the high-level, consistent teams in MLS apart.

Of course, stringing a good run of seasons together like Smith is on track to do only goes as far as the ceiling. The five teams mentioned before on three-year 50+ point seasons have also won trophies; they have hit a solid peak. As Smith leads the Crown, that ceiling concern will continue to be a topic until trophies and Concacaf Champions Cup qualification are achieved in the Carolinas.

*COVID