Orlando City SC vs Charlotte FC Player Matchup Preview: Robin Jansson versus Idan Toklomati
- Rylee Mckinney
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
By Rylee McKinney
Skirting by last week with a 2-1 win over NYCFC, Charlotte FC continues their on-the-road tales, taking on Orlando City for their mid-week matchup.
In the Eastern Conference standings, Charlotte jumped to 3rd place, just one point shy of Inter Miami. Charlotte’s recent successes are not the story for a struggling Orlando City. While Charlotte is in the conductor’s car, Orlando is seated in the caboose of the EC train.
The Crown last met Orlando back in May of last year, suffering a 3-1 loss on the road. However, this season presents an unrecognisable Orlando. Each matchday seems like another trial for the Lions. In the last two months alone, they have faced powerhouses like Nashville and LAFC, resulting in 5-0 and 6-0 losses. The only reprieve so far has been their 1-1 draw against Columbus and a 1-0 win against FC Naples in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.
Orlando’s performance so far this season was not as unexpected as it appears to be. During their 2025 season, Orlando began to fall from grace. Despite a strong mid-season, the team saw inconsistent performances from veterans and an overall lack of depth, finishing 9th in the EC. Their season came to a crashing end with a 3-1 loss to Chicago Fire, as Hugo Cuypers scored a brace and Brian Gutierrez added a goal, knocking them out of playoff contention. Their 2025 season closed with a 9th-place finish for Orlando, foreshadowing what was to come in 2026.
Orlando’s guide was the famous Oscar Pareja, acting as the club’s head coach from 2020 to 2026. Pareja is considered the club’s most successful head coach with his 2022 U.S. Open Cup win and multiple MLS Playoff appearances. However, a disappointing start to the 2026 season led Orlando City and Oscar Pareja to part ways in mid-March.
Assistant coach Martin Perelman has been appointed interim head coach following Pareja’s departure. Pareja was not the only change for Orlando, as the team underwent a significant roster overhaul ahead of the 2026 season. Key departures included longtime players Pedro Gallese, Rodrigo Schlegel, Kyle Smith, Cesar Araujo, and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson.
Reinforcements for the Lions include goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, midfielder Braian Ojeda, forward Tiago Souza, centerback Iago, and midfielder Luis Otavio. Their pre-season additions represent a focus on rebuilding midfield stability and bringing younger players to the forefront. Most recently, Orlando officially announced the signing of French superstar Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid. Griezmann is expected to join the Lions as a DP in July.
This new look for Orlando has been unfortunately stunted by injuries early in the 2026 season. In the opening weeks, Adrian Marin suffered an injury, swapping out for academy product Tahir Reid-Brown. Other key players, like center back Robin Jansson, have luckily returned from injury, which may be just what Orlando needs to turn their quickly depleting season around.
As for Charlotte, they have had a steady presence in the 2026 season. Despite their own roster changes (i.e., the loss of Agyemang and Malanda), Charlotte has maintained its on-field performance. Consistency has been Charlotte's goal, with more subtle wins like their 2-1 victory over NYCFC last week. Although their home-game streak of games has been interrupted by travel and U.S. Open Cup matches, Charlotte continues their steady climb up the EC.
This double-match week will be troubling for Charlotte as both matches are away, one in Orlando, followed by one in Nashville. Their MLS regular-season matches this week are quickly followed by a U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 match against Atlanta United. Fans can expect heavy rotations for Charlotte this week to help preserve some stamina.
One of the most rotated positions will likely be at the head of Charlotte’s Starting XI lineup, that of Idan Toklomati. The forward position was left Agyemang-less back in 2025, with Toklomati taking on high expectations. To help amp up internal competition, the club brought on Australian forward Archie Goodwin back in 2025 and recently signed academy player Rodolfo Aloko.
The attacking unit for Charlotte is now full to the brim with Wilfried Zaha, Idan Toklomati, Archie Goodwin, Kerwin Vargas, Liel Abada, Tyger Smalls, and now Rodolfo Aloko competing for minutes.
This week’s matchup resultantly explores the offensive versus defensive clash of Orlando and Charlotte: Robin Jansson versus Idan Toklomati.
Robin Jansson - Orlando City - Center Back
Orlando’s veteran center back, Robin Jansson, recently returned to regular-season play after suffering a fracture in his right foot. As Jansson recovered from surgery, he missed the first six games of the 2026 season.
His return to action against the Columbus Crew in mid-April sent fans down a sort of memory lane. Despite Orlando’s 1-1 draw to Columbus followed by a 1-0 loss to Houston, Jansson’s return has notably lessened goals conceded. Jansson first signed on with Orlando City back in 2019 from AIK of Sweden’s top division. Last year, Jansson signed a new contract, securing his place through the 2027 season.
In his 168 minutes played post-injury, Jansson has made 14 defensive contributions. Within these contributions, Jansson has recorded three blocked shots and four recoveries. Statistically, Jansson defines himself as a high-quality defender for Orlando City. His tactical intelligence and reliable defensive presence secure his legendary status for the club. His return to the pitch marks a critical moment for Orlando, reinforcing their struggling back line with composure and professionalism.
Idan Toklomati - Charlotte FC - Forward
Charlotte’s starting center forward, Idan Toklomati, quickly became a household name after the departure of Patrick Agyemang. The 21-year-old Israeli striker joined The Crown in the Summer of 2024 via Crown Legacy and recently signed a new long-term deal that guarantees him a roster spot through the 2028-29 season.
In his eight appearances so far this season, Toklomati has earned three goals and one assist. With an xG of 2.69 and an xA of .37, Toklomati has a critical finishing ability for The Crown.
What makes Toklomati a key player in Smith’s starting XI is his ability to perform under pressure and his “goal-hungry” mentality. Back in 2025, the Israeli even had a seven-match goal-contribution streak and led the team with 12 MLS goals in his breakout season.
Toklomati’s impressive performance even earned him a third-place spot on MLS’s annual 22 Under 22 list in 2025. Currently, his brilliance is further highlighted by Charlotte’s attacking unit. His chemistry with wingers Wilfried Zaha and Kerwin Vargas/Liel Abada helps keep Charlotte scoring each week.
Summary
This midweek clash will be a test for two clubs moving in opposite directions. For Charlotte, the objective is to maintain consistency in order to climb the EC standings even more. As Dean Smith navigates the logistics of heavy rotations and travel fatigue, Idan Toklomati will be expected to exploit regular-season opponents. The path for Charlotte has always been one focused on the Supporters' Shield, and this matchup is simply a step in that direction.
For Orlando, the stakes feel more existential. While the return of Robin Jansson provides a tactical anchor for a struggling backline, the Lions must prove that they can distance themselves from their current place in the standings. A strong showing against 3rd-place Charlotte could be more than just a win, but a vital sign of life for Perelman’s squad.
Stats from TransferMarkt & FotMob
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