How will Dean Smith replace Jere Uronen?
By Ryan Donahue
Uronen is on International duty this weekend (Photo courtesy of Cisco's Art/TopBin90)
Charlotte’s left-back Jere Uronen was called up to the Finland National team as part of the European International window ahead of this summer's upcoming tournament. While Finland’s results saw the nation eliminated from qualifiers it is unlikely that Uronen would be available for Charlotte’s home match against Columbus Crew on Saturday night as the Finnish outside back will likely return to Charlotte next week.
The absence of Uronen leaves an opening in Charlotte’s back line that Dean Smith will need to fill and will likely look to one of the following players to help bridge the absence in Uronen’s position.
In Smith’s press conference yesterday he said the three options he was considering are João Pedro, Jahlene Forbes, and Jaylin Lindsey.
Pedro
The Crown Legacy and MLS NEXT Pro Best XI defender signed with Charlotte FC ahead of this season. Having featured at center back as well as demonstrating flexibility to play at left back, Pedro would be a suitable replacement for Uronen. Pedro is a solid defensive option who also can get forward and chip in with goals and assists. In his 2023 season with Crown Legacy, he converted two goals and three assists. Pedro having demonstrated his experience in the left-back position, matched with his ability to contribute to the attack, could tempt Smith to allow Pedro to stake a claim for more first-team minutes in the future.
Forbes
The Wake Forest left-back was selected in the second round of the 2024 SuperDraft by Charlotte. Forbes played four seasons at Wake Forest at left-back where he picked up multiple ACC honors across 66 matches in which he scored eight goals and added 17 assists. Forbes has also featured for the U-17 US Youth National Team. While it is more likely that Smith will lean towards starting Pedro as the outside back, Forbes did feature for Crown Legacy and would be in contention to start or come on as a substitute for Pedro to help reenergize a backline that has historically struggled to close out second halves.
Lindsey
If Smith opts to go with a more experienced selection he may choose to add Lindsey as the right back and shift Nathan Byrne to the left. With Byrne having featured in this position in the past this would bring more experienced profiles to fill Uronen’s absence. Although Lindsey and Byrne could put in shifts as the outside backs, the absence of Uronen creates a good opportunity for Smith to allow younger players to stake their claim for why they should get more first-team minutes.
Final thoughts
From what we have seen from Dean Smith’s management style so far it would not be surprising to see him give an opportunity to either Pedro or Forbes whose primary positions are more suited to starting in the left-back role over Lindsey.
If Charlotte hopes to come away with a result at home versus Columbus it will be important that whoever Smith selects to replace Uronen is ready for the task as their role will be critical to Charlotte maintaining a strong back line and providing an attacking option going forward.
