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By Andrew Crowell Photo Courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90 Charlotte MLS Next Pro team Crown Legacy FC will be representing Charlotte in the upcoming U.S. Open Cup. This year's U.S. Open Cup will involve participation from 8 MLS teams. Last year’s champions, Houston Dynamo automatically qualify while the top 7 highest-ranked teams in last year’s Supporters Shield will participate, as long as the team is not currently participating in the CONCACAF Champions League. 11 MLS Next Pro teams will be included in the cup in addition to the above 8 MLS teams, with Charlotte’s Crown Legacy being one of the selected 11. The eight MLS teams will play lower division Next Pro teams until it can’t be avoided in the competition. This will prove to be an exciting challenge for Crown Legacy coming off an exciting inaugural season where they finished first in the MLS Next Pro regular season before being knocked out in the Conference semifinals in the playoffs by eventual finalists Columbus Crew 2.

By Brian Maurer Adilson Malanda was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90) Adilson Malanda stood out with a Man of the Match performance against NYCFC in Charlotte FC’s home opener. He helped The Crown keep an opening night clean sheet and scored his first professional goal. Here are a few of the traits that stood out from his performance as well as a look ahead to the forward pairing he’ll be up against in Vancouver: Decision making Malanda’s decision-making appears to have become more mature since 2023. Against NYCFC, the Frenchman had several moments where he chose to hold his position rather than attack the ball. This allowed him to be in a position to mark other off-ball runs and stop the ball from continuing to advance (visual below). In 2023, Malanda was a very aggressive defender often pressuring the ball which was great when it worked but he would leave himself out of position regularly when it didn’t. On opening night he picked his spots well, holding his line and only attacking the ball as a last resort instead of his first instinct. With his strong positioning and ability to identify the off-ball runs, NYCFC had difficulty finding ways past him, which limited their attacking threat all night. Here NYCFC’s attacker is receiving the pass and instead of attacking the ball Malanda backs off positioning himself to defend the space down the right flank (top left and right). Because of this positioning Malanda can cover the run on the wing and shepherd the ball out of play (bottom left and right). The 22-year-old center-back’s decisions throughout the match led him to be in good positions regularly helping Charlotte limit NYCFC to only two shots on target and only one shot with an xG score of .10. The Pigeons had limited looks, and their limited looks were mostly low percentage chances. Recoveries Malanda was also quick to react and make strong recoveries to prevent dangerous moments from occurring. He used a combination of quick reaction time, athleticism, and tackling precision to snuff out multiple fires. In this example, Júnior Urso loses the ball in the defensive third. Malanda positions himself to be able to cover the space near the byline quickly (left). He then confidently makes the sliding tackle against the driving forward to prevent the turnover from becoming a dangerous goalscoring opportunity (right). Malanda’s ability to make strong recoveries was also highlighted in his stat sheet as he won three of his four tackle attempts against dribblers. Passing The French center-back also supported Charlotte’s attack. While it would be easy to highlight his tap-in goal, where he excelled was with his ability to set up quick attacking possessions with his passing. Multiple times Malanda hit either Nathan Byrne down the right, Jere Uronen with a diagonal pass down the left (visual example below), or Enzo Copetti over the top. His ability to spread the ball around to his teammates provided The Crown with a diverse range of quick, direct build-up play options. In the second half, Charlotte attacked NYCFC down the left flank multiple times. One of the ways they did this was by having Malanda switch the play with a long diagonal ball to Uronen in space. Malanda’s ability to spread the ball around was also highlighted by his long pass completion percentage (75%), as he set up multiple attacking opportunities for his teammates. Vancouver’s attacking duo After putting in a solid performance at home Charlotte fly to face off against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Malanda will be tasked with covering one of the more underrated attacking duos in MLS. Attackers Brian White and Ryan Gauld will be looking to put pressure on Malanda and his center-back partner Andrew Privett in their opener. For The Crown to keep this game within striking distance will depend heavily on how Malanda and Privett match up for 90 minutes. White especially is willing to be a physical presence and also has an engine that can maintain a full shift. He’s a volume striker who oftentimes outshoots his goal-scoring production. Last year White and Gauld combined for 26 goals. That was nearly half of Vancouver’s goals all season. Malanda’s decision-making and recoveries will be called upon in a big way against Vancouver’s attacking pair. A major part of that comes from Malanda’s ability to stay tight with Privett and mark attackers well (see image below). NYCFC put in new signing Jovan Mijatović late in the game to try and salvage a point with a two-striker look. Vancouver will put a two-striker look in from the start with Gauld and White. Malanda and Privett's marking of them will be key. Malanda had an excellent showing in week one. It will be important for him to demonstrate that he can produce at a high level in multiple different environments. After traveling such a long distance, this match-up against the Whitecaps will highlight just how resilient Malanda has become on the defensive end. The tall center-back will also be looking to continue to hit teammates with passes over the top. Something that could benefit Charlotte as Vancouver sometimes pushes up high leaving space in behind for a long insightful pass. Malanda’s task to stifle Vancouver will be pivotal in helping the team earn road trip points.

Ryan Donahue Photo courtesy of Cisco's Art/TopBin90 With the 2024 MLS season kicking off this past week, teams are looking to add the finishing touches to their squad to ensure the best start possible. With the continued growth and expansion of MLS through the addition of new teams, higher profile players, and increased visibility, the league has generated record revenue and, as a result, is spending more in the transfer market. In 2022, MLS clubs spent a total of $120 million in the market and this year are projected to break that record. The current spend of MLS on players this season is approximately $70 million. Notable transfer fees so far include Chicago Fire’s forward Hugo Cuypers who was brought in for $14 million and FC Dallas’ Peter Musa for nearly $11 million from Benfica. Charlotte FC, who recently saw the departure of Świderski and Jóźwiak, have yet to make their splash to fill the two DP player openings, and have been targeting Luciano Rodríguez who is valued at around $15 million by his current club. If a deal were to be agreed, it could be the biggest transfer fee in MLS history potentially beating Atlanta United's Thiago Almada who was bought for $16 million back in 2022. While increased spending on higher-profile players is exciting for fans, the results do not always translate to what is seen on the pitch. In 2023, the three highest payrolls in MLS all missed the playoffs. Inter Miami retained the highest payroll of $39.4 million followed by Toronto FC and LA Galaxy each at $32.3 million and $25 million. Alternatively, clubs that manage lower wage bills do not indicate they will have underperforming seasons. FC Cincinnati, who won the Supporters Shield and made a deep playoff run, were ranked 21st among wages across the league last year. Although spending does not guarantee a team’s success or failure, those close to the league have advocated for looser spending regulations and more ambitious transfer business. Historically, MLS implemented salary cap restrictions out of concern that owners of clubs in the early days of MLS would spend poorly on the wrong players which prompted a recentered focus around teams prioritizing sporting analytics, building scouting networks, and developing sporting programs with strong infrastructure to help improve decision making. With the refinements that have been made across the league over the past 10 years, most clubs now have experienced professional resources making decisions around player profiles as an evolution, the league has also rolled out new spending initiatives. However, for many coaches and fans it still feels that the league is driving with one foot on the break. Spending initiatives like Young Designated Players, Targeted Allocation Money, and General Allocation Money were meant to bolster clubs' appetite to bring in young exciting foreign talent and improve the quality on the pitch, but clubs are still primarily required to operate within strict parameters. The signing of Messi last summer pushed owners to demand a reform to the league’s regulations and even remove them. However, the momentum was blocked during the MLS December board meeting. While MLS is spending more on player transfers into the league, it is also generating more on player outgoings and is often turning a profit on its investments. With MLS operating on an alternate season calendar from Europe, the big money transfer signings that find their way to top European clubs typically happen during the summer when European leagues are on break. This can be disruptive to the MLS clubs, but it does provide a good opportunity for a big cash injection mid-way through the season. Most notably, when it comes to big outgoing transfers, Thiago Almada from Atlanta United is already getting on to several clubs shortlists, and Atlanta is expecting to get a record transfer fee surpassing the previous record holder Miguel Almirón, whom Newcastle United bought for $27m. It is unclear when MLS will overhaul its regulations around spending and roster restrictions, the signing of David Beckham forced the league to evolve and we will likely see the addition of Lionel Messi force the league to implement changes in the future as more clubs have financial backing and infrastructure to spend and sell for higher values.

By Ben Hofer Photo credit Ben Hofer In a recent announcement, Júnior Urso bid farewell to Orlando City, embarking on a new journey with the revamped Charlotte FC under the leadership of manager Dean Smith. Urso was loved by many in Orlando and his playing style will likely energize fans in Charlotte. Urso, affectionately known as "The Bear" as a professional during his Brazilian origins, has become synonymous with his aggressive playing style, accompanied by the iconic bear claw celebration. Boasting professional experience in Brazil, China, and the United States, Urso recently donned the Orlando City jersey for the second time in 2023, following a stint at Coritiba FC in Brazil. His return to Orlando was met with resounding applause, solidifying his status as a fan favorite and a borderline club legend, thanks to his tenacious approach on the field and exceptional skill that only Brazilians seem to effortlessly possess. A dynamic and spirited player, Urso, at the age of 34, is a spark plug on the pitch. Primarily excelling in a box-to-box defensive role, he also exhibits a knack for creating opportunities for his teammates and has showcased his goal-scoring prowess in crucial moments for Orlando. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Orlando City's triumphant 2022 Open Cup campaign, contributing significantly to the team's success during his first stint at OCSC. Photo credit Ben Hofer Charlotte FC is poised to benefit from Urso's aggressive playing style and his substantial presence both on and off the ball. Renowned as a big locker room personality, Urso is expected to guide and inspire the Charlotte team toward success. While his departure will undoubtedly leave a void in the hearts of the Orlando faithful, there is an undeniable excitement about witnessing the contributions he will make to Charlotte's journey.

Senior and supplemental roster and depth chart (unofficial) - updated regularly Dean Smith (Photo courtesy of Cisco's Art/TopBin90) Senior roster Supplemental roster Depth chart (unofficial) starts/goals in parentheses

By Andrew Crowell Dean Smith (Photo courtesy of Cisco's Art) With the Crown’s third season underway, here is a review of the squad's injuries. As of now, Charlotte will begin the season with three players ruled out. Ben Bender First, fan-favorite Ben Bender will be starting the season on the sidelines as he recovers from knee surgery that he got during the offseason. Manager Dean Smith stated that Bender “certainly won’t be ready the first four to five weeks”. Bender will look to compete for a starting spot in the midfield alongside Brecht Dejaegare, Ashley Westwood, and Charlotte newcomer Júnior Urso when he returns from injury. Brandt Bronico Next is midfielder Brandt Bronico who suffered a thigh strain during preseason. We know he had an MRI but without results, we can only speculate the length of injury for the relentless midfielder. Muscle injuries such as a thigh strain will be given a grade 1-3 based on the severity of injury. Grade 1 is more mild with no muscle defect and an expected sideline time of two to three weeks. Grade 2 is labeled as moderate and represents small muscle defects and a sideline time of four to six weeks. Finally, grade 3 means significant muscle damage and usually requires surgical repair and over three months of recovery. Based on the current information we estimate Bronico has a grade 1 thigh strain and will be back to action after two to three weeks. Brandon Cambridge The final known injury is youngster Brandon Cambridge. Back in January, Cambridge underwent a successful surgery to repair an ankle fracture. The recovery from this injury will likely be the most complicated and lengthy of the three. First, the bone surfaces that were repaired will take 5-6 weeks to heal. After that, Cambridge will undergo an extensive rehab plan that will keep him sidelined for months. This rehabilitation program is essential to getting range of motion (ROM), mobility, and strength back in the injured ankle. Rehab is not something to rush through, as reinjury can be very common in those who do not gain critical functionality and mobility back. While it is hard to estimate when Cambridge will return to action, we can certainly guess that it will not be anytime soon. Stay tuned to our social media pages and website for updates on these players as well as the entire squad. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. None of my writing should ever be taken as medical advice.

By Sam Vanolinda Photo courtesy of Cisco's Art After three games in Coachella Valley, Charlotte FC’s Dean Smith era has started on a high note with wins against LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes and a 0-0 draw with Minnesota. Since these games were being live-streamed for free on Charlotte FC’s website, it has given us a chance to look at what style of football may be played in the regular season under Smith, and what players he may prefer at the contested positions within the club. Three clean sheets in three games, with a convincing 3-0 win versus a talented LA Galaxy squad and a solid 1-0 victory against the Earthquakes suggests a more solid, well-organized game plan in 2024, compared to the up-and-down 2023. In regards to the 1-0 win versus San Jose, Smith noted that the team “Showed discipline without the ball, won it back in really good areas at times..we made it tough for them to score against us and got another clean sheet, that's a bonus because the more of them you can get in the league this season the more games you’re going to win.” Here are some notable players and position battles that stood out: Joao Pedro looks like he belongs João Pedro was touted as a very talented prospect for Charlotte FC after his amazing performances last year for Crown Legacy. Through the first three preseason games, he has played at both left center back and left back, and he looks like a seasoned player despite only being 20 years old. The Brazilian is solid on the ball and has great defensive instincts. He could challenge Privett for that LCB role by pairing up with Adilson Malanda. Enzo Copetti is the key Down two DP’s and with the season rapidly approaching, the spotlight is on Enzo Copetti to lead Charlotte this year. If he excels, the team could overachieve, if he isn’t able to provide consistent good performances or picks up an injury, it could be a long year. Copetti was able to score as a substitute in the second half of the LA Galaxy game, showing his composure in front of the net. He and Patrick Agyemang have been sharing the striker role in these preseason matches, and that will most likely continue into the season, Agyemang being a great option off the bench if Smith does not want to operate with two strikers. Smith was impressed with Copetti’s performance versus the Galaxy. “As you saw today, he’s hard-running, he knows where the goal is, won the foul for the free kick, and scored a good goal as well. He made a difference when he came on at halftime.” Smith said post-game. Right-wing The right-wing is still a large question. Arfield switched from his usual more central position to start there versus the Galaxy, and star boy Nimfasha Berchimas was given a go against San Jose. Once Bender is healthy he could slot into that position, but for Saturday against NYCFC, the door is wide open as to who could be given the spot. Berchimas seemed like a future prospect after he broke out at the U-17 World Cup, but he may already be able to make an impact this year at the MLS level if he continues to impress against players five-plus years older than him. There is also SuperDraft pick, Tyger Smalls, who may not make an immediate impact in the MLS, but has some explosive dribbling ability and could be a name we hear as the season goes on, just like how Bender broke onto the scene in his rookie year. Trialist Tarique Fosu also saw some time on the wing, the 28-year-old former Brentford stand-out would take up an International roster slot if he was signed. Iuri Tavares, who was just signed to a first-team contract, could also slot into a starting role due to the lack of current depth at winger. Tavares impressed during the preseason and Saturday could signal just how much of an impression the young attacker made on Smith in California. Brecht Dejaegere played centrally Even with the right-wing being in question, Smith opted to keep his Belgian midfielder in a more central role throughout the preseason. This suggests that when the team is lacking in one area or position on the field, he’s not going to put key contributors out of position to fill that role. This approach highlights some of the pragmatism of Smith’s coaching style. Demonstrating that he plays the players he has available in the positions where they are the strongest, regardless of how strong other positions in the XI might be. Westwood and Malanda see the most time Smith made it obvious that Ashley Westwood and Adilson Malanda are two players who will look to be leaders within the team this season. Westwood was the only player to play a full 90, versus San Jose, And Malanda played close to 75 minutes, more than the 30-60 minutes most players in the team were getting. Malanda showed incredible potential last year, but look for him to be a true anchor and leader coming into this year; Westwood being a captain and a player with top-level English league experience, it's clear that Smith trusts him to lead this team. These two players will have a massive impact on the success of Charlotte FC this year, it’s good to see that Smith has already developed a trust for them. Direct football Last year, the possession-based, pressing style that Charlotte played with under Christian Lattanzio would look very pretty at times but also could fall apart. It would create goals for the Crown, but lead to tired legs and late lapses of concentration that cost the team a massive chunk of points. Through the preseason games, it seems as though Smith wants to implement a more direct style of football, with organized defending and fluid counterattacks. It’s clear Smith favors full-backs in a more traditional role, making overlapping runs, and he trusts his ball-playing center-backs and midfielders to make key passes to the players making those runs. Overall, the play may not be as possessive as last year, but the team looks prepared to grind out more positive results. Three preseason clean sheets show that the team believes in Smith’s system and is ready to have an identity as a hard team to get past.

By Tyler Trent Narumi Miura on the ball (Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Courage) When the North Carolina Courage announced the signing of Japanese midfielder Narumi Miura on February 7, 2023, few knew how influential her 2023 season with the Courage would be. Narumi was a metronome in midfield, providing a consistent calmness and composure that allowed both herself and her teammates to thrive in the possession-based style the Courage implemented. While it became apparent quickly how special Narumi would be for the Courage, closer inspection provides insight that there’s even more to her game. A quick look at a radar graph of Narumi's statistics compared to other NWSL midfielders and defensive midfielders shows Narumi's excellent passing skills and defensive prowess. Meanwhile, the areas she struggles in are dribbling and aerial duals. Additionally, in some attacking metrics like shots and touches in the penalty area, she shows an area for improvement compared to other NWSL midfielders. However, Wyscout stats alone don't tell the whole story of the player that Narumi is. Attacking While set-piece opportunities weren't particularly the biggest strength of the Courage last season, partly due to the height of the squad, Narumi was able to provide a different look on corner opportunities. She could provide a better advantage than a ball directly into the box from the corner flag. However, with Feli Rauch coming in, it's unlikely we'll see Narumi taking corners often this season, and we could see her providing value in a different way for set pieces. While Narumi's dribbling success percentage was below average compared to other midfielders, she's not afraid to dribble forward and use the space given to her. In the clip above, she does exactly that before playing a ball to Kerolin, setting up a crossing opportunity. In the clip above, Narumi takes a quick glance up the field in anticipation of receiving the ball at her feet. By doing this, she knows she will have time on the ball and the general position of her teammates up the pitch. This allows Narumi to play a progressive pass that sets up an attacking movement for the Courage. In another example, Narumi is continuously scanning up the field while anticipating the ball at her feet. When it comes, she's able to turn and pick out a long ball for Kerolin, who finishes at the near post. Those long balls are one of Narumi's biggest offensive assets. When she has time on the ball, whether it's in her own half or not, she is more than capable of playing a perfect ball forward into the attack. Narumi scores her first goal for the Courage Narumi is patient moving forward into the attack as the ball moves down the right flank but picks up the pace after the Kerolin beats 2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year Jenna Nighswonger and makes a great late run into the box and finishes the chance nicely. While Narumi isn't the player you are going to see scoring goals for fun, when she has the opportunity, she usually puts it in the back of the net. While Narumi's strengths are best used in the center of the pitch, she can also provide service from wide areas. As mentioned previously, Narumi is fantastic at filling dangerous spaces left by the defense. In the clip, Narumi plays a ball back to Ryan Williams and fills a space left slightly open due to Kerolin's danger and width on the pitch. Williams plays a perfect ball forward to Narumi, where she's able to put a great cross into the six-yard box to create a solid scoring opportunity. Defending She is quality. She is better in her defending than people probably see. Those little thin spaces she may cut out, not necessarily going and pressing right away, but the ability to close passing gaps. But, I think the biggest thing is teammates love to compete for her and she loves to compete for them. - Coach Sean Nahas Much like her scanning while the team is in possession, Narumi does a fantastic job of recognizing dangerous passages of play and snuffing them out before they can even begin. Above, Tyler Lussi is in a good defensive position to defend Michelle Cooper, but a Kansas City Current player recognizes the empty space she can run into. However, Narumi does as well and covers the ground to make the pass a difficult one - and one that ultimately never comes. In the clip above, Narumi shows great defensive awareness and anticipation to foresee the next pass and makes a great tackle to disrupt the Reign. Narumi continues to fight for the ball and uses her body well to fight off the defender and get the ball out to Kerolin. This clip shows a fantastic example of what Narumi can do to change a game instantly. She quickly recognizes the danger from Gotham and is able to cut off the pass and immediately play a long ball into Brittany Ratcliffe to flip the danger in the favor of the Courage. Plays such as this can be crucial in turning a game in your favor, and Narumi makes plays like this consistently to aid the Courage two-fold in a matter of seconds. Narumi makes a crucial goal-line save A collection of Narumi's defensive highlights while playing for Japan The Intangibles Narumi is a beloved player both in the team and by the fanbase. While it's not obvious to those unfamiliar with individual players, the impact of being a great teammate on and off the field is another vital piece of Narumi's success with the Courage. Narumi provides a massive positive boost to the team's morale. Another key intangible in Narumi's success in the NWSL is her clear motivation and honor to represent the North Carolina Courage. Most players are grateful for the privilege of playing professionally, but you may remember a story from Coach Nahas about Narumi's first time arriving at WakeMed Soccer Park. The value of a player this grateful for the opportunity to showcase her skills and be a part of a new, growing team environment is boundless. Narumi is honored to be a part of her team and will fight every moment to do what's best for the squad. Areas for Improvement While Narumi had a top-class first season in America, there's always room for improvement. One of the biggest areas for improvement would be imposing herself on games to get involved quickly. Narumi often finds free space on the pitch with the Courage in possession. As shown above, her potential impact on the attack through her passing, link-up play, and defensive actions leading to counterattacks is high. Involving herself more consistently and earlier in matches will greatly boost her improvement. Defensively, Narumi is a wonderful player to have in the midfield. She makes that impact known consistently. Meanwhile, her value in the final third wasn't on display as often despite possessing the obvious technical skills to make her mark. While the Courage system didn't really require Narumi to put up goal contributions to make a crucial impact, improving the consistency of that part of her game will open endless possibilities for both her success and the team in 2024. The Narumi Effect With just a few clips and highlights of non-goalscoring moments, Narumi's positive impact on the Courage is immediately obvious. In Coach Nahas' system, she's a perfect fit in tandem with Denise O'Sullivan to control the game with her intelligence, smart passing, and defensive aptitude. With the World Cup interrupting the 2023 NWSL season, the Courage was expected to be missing a handful of talented players. Unfortunately, Narumi was snubbed by the Japan National Team; however, that exclusion ultimately provided a key boost to both the Courage and Narumi at that point in the season. This period allowed Narumi to continue to integrate into the Courage team and required her to step up with O'Sullivan representing Ireland at the World Cup. With the addition of fellow Japanese midfielder Manaka Matsukubo, the Courage also received an instant upgrade in creativity in the midfield. Manaka made a quick name for herself, much like Narumi, with creative passing and an absolute peach of a goal in the Challenge Cup Final. Narumi's play in the midfield behind her sets Manaka up for success by allowing her to focus on her strengths in the attack but also provides an outlet for Narumi to make more of an impact in the final third. Narumi's balanced attacking and defending prowess is critical for the Courage. You can always count on strong passing, awareness, composure, and intelligence from the Courage number six. Having a reliable midfielder capable of putting out fires and starting her own in the attacking third provides undeniable value. As Narumi continues to grow more accustomed to the United States and the NWSL, her ceiling is immeasurable.

By Tyler Trent Photo credit Orlando City SC According to sources, Charlotte FC are finalizing a deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Júnior Urso who has been with the team as a trialist during preseason. While the deal is not done, sources indicate it is in its final stages. Urso previously played for Orlando City on two different stints and had a career throughout the tiers of Brazilian football since 2009 along with time in China. With Orlando City, Urso won the 2022 US Open Cup and finished as Supporters Shield runners up in 2023. Urso primarily plays as a defensive midfielder and will provide further depth in that position that will allow other midfielders to press forward more often.

By Andrew Crowell Professional soccer players have to go through rigorous medical examinations (Photo courtesy of Inter Miami) The transfer window is one of the most important and exciting parts of the MLS season. For transfers to go through during this crucial period, athletes considered at the top of their game must prove themselves through a physical exam/test called a medical. Passing a transfer medical is not always straightforward. For example, a player with an injury history might need to prove to his potential new team that past injuries do not hamper his physical ability. When clubs toss millions of dollars toward a new player for their roster, they want to ensure their investment does not go to waste. What components can potentially make up a medical? While transfer medicals can involve different steps depending on the staff conducting them and time availability, most transfer screens include the following. First, injury/risk for injury screening is critical as it can give a lot of insight into a player’s physical abilities as well as their risk for future injury. Former physiotherapist of many different premier league teams Dave Fevre had this to say about risk assessment: “The player’s skeletal range of movement – that's joints, key muscles, fitness, and any possible weak spots – will be assessed. I’m especially keen on checking the pelvis as it’s such a key area for both upper and lower-body mobility, strength, and injury prevention. The player’s position will influence the medical too – goalkeepers, for example, will have a check on shoulders, elbows, wrists, and, of course, hands. If anything needs further investigation, we’ll book a scan and get a more thorough assessment.” The other major portion of a transfer medical consists of various medical tests and screenings. First up is a heart health test that will include cardiac screening, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and a heart health questionnaire. Some clubs may also do blood testing and/or cardiovascular fitness testing, such as a VO2 max test. Second, the player undergoes musculoskeletal stability testing. This will allow the physio staff to find possible weak spots in the lumbar spine and hip regions, very common sites of injury in soccer. Many crucial functional movements are also tested such as squatting, jumping, and lunging. Third comes isokinetic issues. In this step, tests are performed to discover muscular imbalances among players that could cause them further injury, especially those returning from an injury.  As previously mentioned, if a player has a history of injury, they will receive deeper scanning as their next step to assess these injury-prone players. Penultimately, players will go through a body fat scan. Most professional players are expected to have less than 10% body fat. Finally, players undergo a sprint test to test their speed over a set distance, typically around 20 meters or about 21 yards. Why would a player fail a medical? This answer can vary from club to club and player to player. Every club will look into the physical ability of a player they want to bring in and if the player does not prove themself physically then it can be a cause for failure. The other big caveat for failure is if the player is injured or coming off an injury. These can also cause players to fail. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. None of my writing should ever be taken as medical advice.

Check here for the latest Charlotte FC news and updates The latest Transfer news: Dean Smith says the team is still looking for 1-2 more signings Liel Abada: Charlotte FC's new Young DP Iuri Tavares earns first-team contract with Charlotte FC Franco Gonzalez is another option for Charlotte FC in the summer Charlotte FC sign midfielder Djibril Diani Team news: Charlotte FC's roster and depth chart (unofficial) Charlotte FC's Injury Report (unofficial) Enzo Copetti picked up an injury earlier this week A new roster rule change coming this summer Highlights from Dean Smith's press conference on 3/21/2024: Andrew Crowell - 3/15/2024 How long can we expect Enzo Copetti to be out Charlotte’s Argentine DP picked up the injury in training earlier this week and will have an MRI today to assess the severity of the injury. Manager Dean Smith began his press conference this week with this news while also admitting that Copetti has not been ruled out for Saturday’s clash with Nashville at Geodis Park... Brian Maurer - 3/14/2024 What does the new roster rule change mean for Charlotte FC? Yesterday, Tom Bogert of The Athletic reported that MLS is expected to make a new roster rule change this summer. The plan is to decouple the Designated Player (DP) spots from the U-22 Initiative slots... Brian Maurer - 3/12/2024 Winning and learning: Charlotte FC's first three games In MMA Coach John Kavanaugh’s book, Win or Learn, he states that there are two available options in competition; “winning or learning” stated clearly in the title. Here is an assessment of Charlotte FC’s season so far describing the things that are going well as areas they are “winning” in and the areas that the team is struggling in as “learning”... Ryan Donahue - 3/9/2024 Shaking up the sidelines: New managerial faces are bringing fresh perspectives and results Many of the new MLS coaches in the Eastern Conference are off to a good start. While the focus of this winter has been the record-breaking transfer window occurring, several teams have received a boost from hiring a new coach and instituting a new culture... Brian Maurer - 3/8/2024 Zoran Krneta on Liel Abada: “I have a very good relationship with Ange [Postecoglou]...[Postecoglou] was very complimentary about him” Yesterday Charlotte FC announced they were making a club-record transfer, bringing Israeli winger Liel Abada to the Carolinas. Charlotte’s General Manager (GM), Zoran Krneta had this to say about the Israeli international... Brian Maurer - 3/7/2024 Breaking down Dean Smith's double pivot vs. Vancouver Charlotte FC finished their first leg of a three-game road trip with a draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The 1-1 result was a tale of two halves. One area of the field where the change in team performance appeared to be impacted the most was in Charlotte's midfield. Specifically their double pivot of Ashley Westwood and Júnior Urso... Sam Vanolinda - 3/6/2024 Liel Abada: Charlotte FC's new Young DP Charlotte FC has reportedly found a new young winger to bolster the attack. 22-year-old Israeli Liel Abada has decided to join Charlotte FC from Scottish club Celtic. He slots in as a Young Designated Player and boasts impressive numbers for one of the most famous clubs in Europe... Andrew Crowell - 3/1/2024 Crown Legacy will participate in this years U.S. Open Cup Charlotte MLS Next Pro team Crown Legacy FC will be representing Charlotte in the upcoming U.S. Open Cup... Highlights from Dean Smith's press conference on 2/29/2024: Highlights from Dean Smith's press conference on 2/22/2024: Brian Maurer - 2/15/2024 Scouting Report: Nikola Petkovic Charlotte FC signed the Serbian midfielder to a first-team U-22 Initiative contract. Here is a link to a scouting report done by our Chief Editor Brian last month... Brian Maurer - 2/15/2024 Scouting Report: Tyger Smalls SuperDraft pick Tyger Smalls recently signed his first professional contract with Charlotte FC. Here is a link to a scouting report done by our Chief Editor Brian back in December... Brian Maurer - 2/7/2024 Charlotte FC still looking to solve their winger struggles in year three Two years ago, Venezuelan winger Darwin Machís was set to join Charlotte FC. There was an agreed transfer fee, and the medical had passed. Machís was in Charlotte, but the deal was called off due to legal trouble in Spain, where he had been playing for Granada. The club has yet to recover from that day and find a big-time signing who can slot in on the wing and make a week-in, week-out impact... Brian Maurer - 2/4/2024 Tariqe Fosu on trial at Charlotte FC According to sources, Tariqe Fosu is on trial at Charlotte FC. The 28-year-old saw action yesterday in Charlotte's 2-2 draw against LAFC. Fosu is a free agent who most recently played in the English Championship for Rotherham United and Stoke City during the 2022/23 season and had four goal contributions (1g/3a). If Charlotte were to secure his services, he would most likely occupy an International roster spot... Ryan Donahue - 2/1/2024 When does the Winter Transfer Window close for MLS/European Countries/Argentina As the January transfer window comes to a close, MLS teams will look to bring in last minute deals that could help strengthen their sides ahead of the upcoming season. Although the transfer window is closing for important European leagues, this doesn't prevent them from selling or sending players to other clubs around the world that still have their respective transfer windows open. Here is a look at when each respective market will close across the international leagues. MLS The MLS transfer window will remain open through April 23. Premier League The Premier League transfer window opened on Monday, Jan. 1, and will close on Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. ET. LaLiga The LaLiga transfer window opened on Jan. 2 and will close today Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. ET. Serie A The window for Serie A opened on Jan. 2 and will close today Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. ET. Ligue 1 The French window opened on Jan. 1 and will close today Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. ET. Bundesliga The Bundesliga window opened on Jan. 1 and will close today Feb. 1 at 12 p.m. ET. Argentine Primera División The window for Argentine teams opened on January 22nd and runs until February 18th. Other Window Deadlines Mexico: Feb. 1 Portugal: Feb. 2 Saudi Arabia Jan. 30 (Closed) Women’s Super League Jan. 31 (Closed) Jorge Gonzales - 2/1/2024 Karol Swiderski to Hellas Verona, Kamil Jozwiak to Granada, and Enzo Copetti to River Plate? Jorge shares the latest transfer news and rumors about Charlotte FC's Designated Players

By Ryan Donahue Karol Świderski (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90) On February 1, 2024, Charlotte FC announced that its first Designated Player in the club’s history Karol Świderski would depart on loan to join Serie A side Hellas Verona. With Świderski’s loan running through the end of June, the Serie A side does hold an option to buy the player and Charlotte will likely look to move on from Świderski and fill the vacant DP position with a player that fits Dean Smith's profile. ”This opportunity is in Charlotte FC’s best interest as we reconfigure our roster under a new head coach. Karol has always given his best on the pitch for us, and he was clear with his intention to pursue this opportunity. In this situation, the Club was not going to stand in his way” reported Charlotte FC’s General Manager Zoran Krneta. While many fans will be disappointed to no longer get the opportunity to shout “Świderski” inside Bank of America, the departure of the Polish striker represents a complex dynamic between the fans, the club, and the player. The 27-year-old joined Charlotte FC ahead of its inaugural season from Paok Thessaloniki where he capped 134 appearances, scoring 35 goals and 14 assists. Despite Charlotte’s disappointing start to its opening campaign Świderski wasted no time getting on the scoring sheet. Despite poor results on the field and the early departure of head coach Miguel Ramirez, Świderski made 30 appearances in the opening season scoring 10 goals and picking up four assists. As the season progressed, and the team found stability under interim manager Christian Lattanzio, Świderski became instrumental to the side’s offense and nearly pushed the team to playoff qualification. Świderki’s second season in Charlotte yielded very similar results with the striker scoring 12 and assisting five times across 31 games despite changes to the offense that forced him to play out of position on the wing or as an attacking midfielder behind Enzo Copetti. Despite a positive second season with Charlotte, it became obvious with the signing of Copetti that Świderski would be resigned to playing most commonly in secondary positions that less appealed to the striker who had already expressed a desire to return to Europe. The club’s decision to allow Świderski to go out on loan shows a willingness to back their Argentine striker Copetti ahead of the season and bolster an area of the pitch with a new DP that the manager feels is more critical rather than forcing Świderski into a role that he doesn’t fit, or want to play. As Świderski and Poland chase the upcoming summer’s Euro 2024, he will hope that his loan move will enable him to be in his best form going into the tournament. Should Hellas Verona choose not to exercise their buy option, Charlotte will likely look to offload Świderski in the summer to one of several European sides who will be exploring the Polish striker’s services. Certain criteria can be met that would trigger the buy option as well. One of these criteria is Hellas Verona avoiding relegation. While Charlotte will miss its first DP in the club's history, the move presents a positive outcome for all parties involved and fans should look forward to following Świderski’s performances in the weeks ahead.