Preseason Notebook: Which SuperDraft, Crown Legacy, and First Team players are making a case for minutes in 2026?

By Rylee McKinney

Willian Sangoquiza Paredes, Baye Coulibaly, Jack Neeley

Charlotte FC’s preseason is underway, and the squad wrapped up its first preseason friendly last week. Taking home a 3-1 win over USL Championship side Charleston Battery, Charlotte FC kicked off their preseason with a great start.

Despite seeing the faces we all know, like Ashley Westwood, Idan Toklomati, and Kerwin Vargas, coach Dean Smith hinted at his interest in some new faces. 

Here is a sneak peek at some of Smith’s Crown Legacy, SuperDraft, and First Team supplemental players that might be piquing Dean Smith’s interest ahead of the 2026 MLS season: 

Crown Legacy

Charlotte FC’s MLS NEXT Pro team, Crown Legacy, has been a strong pathway for the Crown. According to MLS roster rules, CLTFC is allotted three U22 Initiative slots. Two U22 players, Emmanuel Uchegbu and Rodolfo Aloko, might just be fighting for one of those slots. 

Uchegbu currently plays as a forward/winger for Crown Legacy, and his MLS NEXT Pro contract is through 2028, with a club option for 2029. With Crown Legacy, Uchegbu has played in 23 matches, scoring six goals and three assists. 

In September of 2025, forward/winger Aloko also signed on with Crown Legacy through 2029 with an option for 2030. Before signing with Legacy, Aloko was on loan at NK Kustošija in Croatia through December of 2025. With NK Kustošija, the 20-year-old Beninese appeared in 15 matches, scoring four goals and seven assists. 

Other Legacy players who might be earning some First Team playing time include midfielder Aron John, defender Willian Sangoquiza Paredes, and defender Morrison Agyemang. 

John has played with Crown Legacy from 2023 to 2025, making 13 appearances with one goal and three assists in the 2025 season. In 2024, John was on the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI for his breakout campaign that year. Sangoquiza Paredes officially joined Legacy in 2024, but was on loan before the 2024 season. In his 2024 season, the Ecuadorian made 24 appearances, racking in two goals and one assist. Lastly, Agyemang joined Crown Legacy mid-season in 2025, winning 60.7% of aerial duels and 34 recoveries.

Super Draft

Three players from the 2025 and 2026 SuperDrafts are also catching Dean Smith’s attention: Will Cleary, Jahiem Wickham, and Andrew Johnson.  

Cleary joins The Crown fresh from Stanford as a four-year midfielder/defender. The four-year collegiate player was selected  22nd overall in the 2026 SuperDraft. With Stanford, Cleary made 79 career appearances with 66 starts, tallying six goals and nine assists.

The University of South Florida alumnus, Wickham, was selected 82nd overall in the 2026 SuperDraft. Wickham spent his first three seasons at Syracuse University before transferring in his final year, and earned the American Conference Co-Goalkeeper of the Year in his single season with South Florida.

2025 SuperDraft pick, Johnson, is also looking to earn a contract with CLTFC. The defender was selected 47th overall from Cornell University, but went back to school for the fall season. Johnson started in all 50 matches during his three seasons with Cornell. Before his collegiate career, Johnson earned minutes with the Philadelphia Union Academy and eventually the MLS NEXT side, FC Delco Academy. 

First Team

Several familiar faces from Charlotte FC’s First Team will be looking to earn more minutes with the squad during the 2026 season. 

Baye Coulibaly signed with Charlotte FC late in the regular season last year as a U22 Initiative player. During 2025, he also played with Crown Legacy, where he made 24 appearances, ranking second on the team in minutes played. His steady consistency for Legacy made him a regular starter in their midfield. 

Additionally, defender Mikah Thomas will be competing for some playing time this season, as he has a First Team contract but has yet to make an appearance for Charlotte FC. Selected in the 2025 SuperDraft from the University of Connecticut, Thomas was also a product of the MLS NEXT U23 program. In 2025, with Crown Legacy, Thomas won about 51.1% of duels on defense and scored two goals for the squad. 

Homegrown player Nimfasha Berchimas signed with Charlotte FC in November of 2022, becoming one of the youngest MLS signings at just 14. Berchimas made his MLS debut in the 2024 season against NYCFC. So far, Berchimas has only made three appearances with the First Team. The young winger has made 42 appearances with Crown Legacy from 2023 to 2025, scoring ten goals and two assists.

Last but certainly not least, defender Jack Neeley will be a contender for First Team minutes as well this season. He signed with Charlotte FC as the club’s third homegrown player in March of 2023 after progressing through Charlotte FC's Academy. During his 2025 season with Crown Legacy, Neeley made 21 appearances in which he recorded four goals and two assists. In 2025, he also debuted with the First Team, so fans can expect some intensity from the young centerback to earn more playing time, especially with multiple spots at his position open.

*Stats taken from FootyStats and FotMob