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By Brian Maurer Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90 Charlotte FC had just about as good a US Open Cup draw as they could ask for this morning. They were one of the eight designated home teams from MLS going into the draw and were then drawn as the top host priority for their Clint Dempsey Group. Here is a breakdown of everything that happened and how their bracket now lines up heading into the US Open Cup Round of 32: Clint Dempsey Group Hosting Priority Charlotte FC Atlanta United Chattanooga FC Charlotte Independence Charlotte FC will host Charlotte Independence on either April 14 or 15 at the Sportsplex in Matthews in their Round of 32 fixture. If they advance, they have hosting priority and will host the winner of Atlanta United and Chattanooga FC in the Round of 16 on April 28 or 29. It's a favorable route for Charlotte as they have an opportunity to make it to their first US Open Cup Quarterfinal in club history. The Independence is a USL League One side, and while they are off to a good start this season, the Crown should be heavy favorites. The opportunity to host either a struggling Atlanta United rival or an MLS NEXT Pro side in the Round of 16 is also favorable. Head Coach Dean Smith couldn't ask for a better situation to lead his squad on a deep tournament run and start to change the perspective on the group's struggles in tournament formats. Key Players to Watch from the Clint Dempsey Group Charlotte FC - Pep Biel The Crown's key man in the middle is off to a quick start on the scoresheet with four goals through five games. He could be left off the starting XI against the Independence, but his services will likely be required during the tournament if Charlotte is going to push for a quarterfinal or better. Charlotte Independence - Luis Alvarez Alvarez is off to a great start this season for the Independence as he has five goal contributions (2g/3a) in four games in all competitions. The Honduran will be pivotal to pull off a Charlotte Derby cupset. Atlanta United - Miguel Almiron The Paraguayan's return to Atlanta hasn't gone as planned, but a deep tournament run could help turn the tide and the vibes for the Five Stripes. He could be rotated in the Round of 32, but he will likely be needed sooner than later if the club is going to make a go of it. Chattanooga FC - Alex Krehl Chattanooga's attacker is leading the squad in goal contributions with three goals and an assist. Krehl will look to lead Chattanooga's line as they aim for a big-time upset in front of their hometown crowd against Atlanta United in the Round of 32. Clint Dempsey Group Bracket Charlotte FC vs Charlotte Independence Chattanooga FC vs Atlanta United

By Rylee McKinney Kerwin Vargas Matchday 4 (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90) The wait is finally over as Charlotte FC returns to The Bank this weekend to take on Philadelphia Union. After the two-week international break, MLS returns to regular-season play. Before their break, Charlotte FC had an electric win against RBNY. The squad demonstrated just how strong their team is by putting away six goals in 90+ minutes. As for Philadelphia, they ended Matchday 5 in a 2-1 loss against Chicago Fire FC. Currently, Charlotte sits in 4th place in the EC, while Philadelphia sits in 15th and has yet to earn a point.  The Crown earned a 2-0 home win and an unfortunate 2-1 road loss against Philadelphia last year. The Union concluded their 2025 season as Supporters’ Shield winners while Charlotte FC finished in 4th place. However, the 2026 season is showcasing a Philadelphia that looks entirely different from last year.  Led by head coach Bradley Carnell, Philadelphia set a new club record for wins in 2025, concluding their regular season with a 20W-8L-6D record. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, their run came to a close with a 1-0 loss to NYCFC in the EC Semifinals.  Changes to Philly’s lineup reflect significant departures and a variety of new signings. Departures ahead of 2026 include defender Jakob Glesnes (LA Galaxy), left back Kai Wagner (Birmingham City), and striker Tai Baribo (D.C. United). To combat their losses, Philadelphia brought on Danish center-back Japhet Sery Larsen (25) and Colombian center-back Geiner Martinez (23). On offense, the Union signed strikers Agu s tín Anello (23) and Ezekiel Alladoh (20). Despite the departures and new signings, Philadelphia appears to be focusing on its homegrown players as well. Players like Frankie Westfield and Cavan Sullivan continue to earn minutes on the pitch, demonstrating the youth development focus of Philadelphia’s squad. Charlotte FC’s attacking unit will therefore be a dangerous threat to the Philadelphia Union’s younger backline, especially on the wing. Obvious threats to Philadelphia include Wilfried Zaha and Pep Biel. Yet, a significant opportunity will be Charlotte’s right wing, with either Kerwin Vargas or Liel Abada at the start. Philadelphia's Philippe Ndinga has had the responsibility, the past couple of weeks, to try and replace Wagner, who was one of the best left-backs in MLS and a player Philly had counted on for years. Kerwin Vargas/Liel Abada - Charlotte FC - Right Winger Dean Smith’s right wing is a double threat as he balances playing time between Kerwin Vargas and Liel Abada. Continuing from last season, Smith has alternated between the two, calling upon their individual skills based on the opponent-of-the-week’s abilities.  Kerwin “Flippin’” Vargas has been with Charlotte FC since 2022, making over 100 total appearances with the squad. Last season, Vargas appeared in 34 matches, tallying six goals and three assists during regular-season play. Vargas’ high-intensity attacking runs and dominant 1v1 abilities are a genuine asset to Charlotte’s attacking unit.  So far in 2026, the Colombian has made five appearances, making the starting XI twice. He even scored his first goal of the season during their dominant 6-1 win over Red Bull New York before the two-week international break.  On the other side of the coin is right-winger Liel Abada. The Israeli midfielder signed on with Charlotte back in 2024 from Scottish Premiership side Celtic FC. For an $8 million fee, Abada joined The Crown, making him the most expensive signing in Charlotte FC history at the time. Today, Abada continues to be one of Charlotte’s highest-paid players, earning roughly $2 million per year. Abada appears to earn more starting positions than Kerwin Vargas, making 60% of the starting XI this season alone.  With five matchdays in, Abada has made two assists and has started three games. Back in 2025, he recorded five goals and one assist in 32 matches. As an alternate to Kerwin Vargas, Abada excels at exploiting space in the box to create goal-scoring opportunities. His direct approach toward the goal allows him to finish at close range. Philippe Ndinga - Philadelphia Union - Left Back The Philadelphia Union recently added left back Philippe Ndinga (20) to their backline ahead of the 2026 season. Ndinga’s contract makes him a permanent transfer from Swedish top-flight Degerfors IF. With Degerfors IF, Ndinga made 10 league appearances, even scoring his first professional goal against IK Sirius. Although Ndinga is on the younger side and is new to MLS, he has made significant progress with Philadelphia’s novice back line. Ndinga even earned some minutes against Club America in Philadelphia’s Concacaf Champions Cup run. It may be too early in the season to make any serious judgments for Ndinga. But his experience so far will have him anticipating the Vargas/Abada threat on the right wing.  Summary Saturday's matchup will be an interesting one on the right wing. Charlotte’s fluctuation between starting Vargas or Abada will keep the Philadelphia Union guessing until the last second. For newcomer Philippe Ndinga, this ambiguity might be overwhelming. Philadelphia will put pressure on Ndinga to keep Vargas/Abada out wide, preventing any playmaking attempts on the wing. For Charlotte, they must not overlook Ndinga’s MLS-rookie label, especially after coming down from their 6-1 win against NYRB.  Ndinga's responsibility of replacing Kai Wagner, one of the best left-backs over the last several years, is key for Philadelphia's season, but as of now, it's a developing situation that Charlotte's wingers should look to exploit. Dean Smith will ultimately decide who will challenge Philadelphia’s left back. It will be up to Philadelphia to memorize both Kerwin Vargas and Liel Abada’s attacking style. What both Vargas and Kerwin have in common is their ability to create space, which will be combatted by Ndinga’s physical defending style. Stats from TransferMarkt

By Andrew Crowell - @ajc10_11 As the summer transfer window gets closer, American and European news sources alike begin to speculate on where players will move, especially prominent players who are out of contract. Here is a list of 10 big-name players who could potentially make their way to the USA this summer for a new challenge.  Casemiro While a player already linked with a move to the MLS, specifically Inter Miami and the LA Galaxy, Casemiro has shown he can still perform on the big stage after turning in stellar performance after stellar performance this season for Manchester United, prompting interim manager Michael Carrick to even say he would love for the legendary midfielder to stay another season . Mohamed Salah One of the best Premier League players of all time, Mohamed Salah is not a very likely option considering his ties to the Saudi League. He would easily become the biggest player in the Saudi League and bring in not only lots of money but views and popularity to the Saudi League as well. There are big city clubs in MLS with Designated Player (DP) spots open, and some that have said they are at least loosely interested in discussing Salah. The most recent rumor mill discussions have included New York City FC. Phillipe Coutinho An attacking midfielder who was once considered one of the best in the world, Phillipe Coutinho hasn’t had a proper role at a club in almost five years. He has floated from team to team since he departed from FC Barcelona, including stints with Aston Villa, Qatari club Al-Duhail, and Brazilian club Vasco de Gama. Can the Brazilian find a new home in MLS and finish his career on a high note? Is an MLS club willing to take on the risk of such a signing? There are a lot of questions about Coutinho, but his class performances earlier in his career speak for themselves. Julian Brandt The current Borussia Dortmund midfielder is out of contract this summer and has been confirmed to be leaving. Brandt is only 29 years old, with more years of his prime left. This means European clubs will certainly come knocking for his services, and MLS will have lots of competition for his signature. While a fantastic player, Brandt may be a bit of a wildcard considering his age and current status. However, Bundesliga players have been making the jump recently and not always to the usual destinations. Thomas Muller to Vancouver and Timo Werner to San Jose are great examples of this deviation from the MLS norm. Dele Alli Maybe one of the biggest “what ifs” in recent times, Dele Alli finds himself without a club after having his contract with Italian side Como terminated in September of 2025. After exploding onto the scene with Tottenham Hotspur in 2016 with 18 Premier League goals, he never quite followed that season up and slowly declined in production before falling out of favor with managers Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte before being shipped off to Everton. He is currently training at his boyhood club, Tottenham Hotspur, as he keeps himself in shape for a new club . Raheem Sterling Known for his pace and dribbling prowess, Raheem Sterling made his name at Liverpool before moving to Manchester City in 2015, going on to win four Premier League titles with the club. He spent some time with Chelsea and Arsenal before moving to Feyenoord in February of 2026 until the end of this season. He has made five appearances for the Dutch club, recording zero goals. The winger is now 31 years old and has shown signs of losing his pace, making it harder to make a difference at the top level. He was previously linked with MLS clubs at the end of 2025, offers which he declined at the time. Adama Traore Coming up through Barcelona’s academy system, Adama Traore made his name in the Premier League/Championship, featuring for clubs including Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham, and currently West Ham United. He returned to his boyhood club on loan in 2022, featuring 11 times for the Catalan side. Known for his bodybuilder-like physique and his lightning pace, his footballing ability has come into question often, but he is certainly a physical specimen. His athleticism makes him a good candidate for MLS, if a team is willing to gamble on his subpar technical ability. Allan Saint-Maximin Another pacey winger that made his name in the Premier League, Allan Saint-Maximin is a 29-year-old French winger who currently plays for French club RC Lens, where he has made four appearances this season, scoring one goal. His pace and dribbling ability on the ball make him an interesting prospect for MLS if he were to accept the move, which, considering his age, may be difficult. He does have experience on the continent, though, as he spent a season at Club America in Mexico last year, featuring 16 times, and netting three goals.  Sadio Mane While no direct rumors of Mane to MLS have come to fruition, he is one of the big-name players who are typically mentioned with a potential move to the US. While being a big part of one of the best Liverpool teams of all time, Sadio Mane saw his Premier League career end with a move to Bayern Munich in 2022 before leaving for the Saudi League in 2023, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr. In the Saudi League, he has featured 82 times, contributing 34 goals, showing he still has the quality to contribute. Whether he would make a move to MLS is up in the air, however, as there are no well-known reports of him expressing a desire to join the league. Bernardo Silva Fabrizio Romano reported yesterday that Bernardo Silva will indeed be leaving Manchester City as a free agent this summer. Silva is focused on the rest of the season before making his decision in the summer, but Romano mentioned that clubs in Europe, Saudi Arabia, and MLS are interested. The Portuguese midfielder is a club legend at City and has been a part of most of Pep Guardiola's tenure and success at the Premier League club. While previously covering players that have a connection to Dean Smith, this list covers players that are linked to MLS, a new league without having an established connection to Charlotte FC. While many of these big-name players will hone in on the top US markets as options, more and more big-time players are finding clubs in MLS outside of the usual suspects. Could any of them make the move to Charlotte or other mid-market clubs? Only time will tell. For Charlotte, specifically, they would need to open a DP spot to give themselves the chance to put their hat in the ring.

By Billy McGee - @iambillymcgee Pep Biel celebrates one of his goals scored against Austin FC (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90) Charlotte FC has played five matches through February and March, earning eight points and sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. While their table position looks good, the Eastern Conference is a tight race this early, as four points separate second and ninth. They had ups and downs in the young season, having a 3-0 loss against LA Galaxy and also a 6-1 win over New York Red Bulls. Outside of those outlier results, they have had two draws and a 3-1 win against a 10-man Austin FC. They seemed to have found the starting lineup for the most part, with Morrison holding down the center back spot that was up for grabs in the preseason, while the right wing position rotates between Liel Abada and Kerwin Vargas. In the midfield, a spot appears open and is being rotated between Luca de la Torre, Brandt Bronico, and Djibril Diani. The defense has held strong apart from the bad loss on the road to Galaxy, while the attack has been sporadic, with goals coming in small bunches. Here are our picks for Charlotte FC’s top three performers for February and March: Pep Biel After returning to Charlotte on a permanent deal, the Spanish midfielder has picked up where he left off last season, already contributing four goals and an assist through five games. His ability on set pieces has been very important for the team, as one of the primary free-kick takers, he has helped Charlotte improve at creating goalscoring opportunities from dead-ball situations compared to previous seasons. Biel has spent a lot of time around the opponent’s box this year and has been efficient finishing, with just under half of his total shots being on target and 66% of his shots on target finding the back of the net. If he begins to provide the level of playmaking for others that we saw from him last season, while maintaining his prowess around the box that he’s shown this year, then Charlotte could be in store for an even better Biel. Kristijan Kahlina Kahlina always has high expectations as one of the best goalkeepers in the league, and this year maybe exceeding them so far. The Croatian leads the league in G-xG (-3.33) according to American Soccer Analysis and leads the league in saves while having faced the fourth most shots on any goalkeeper. Of the goalkeepers that have faced 30 or more shots this season, Kahlina is the only one to allow fewer than 10 goals. With a changed backline in front of him, the 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year has helped stabilize the defense while they mesh as a unit following the winter departure of Adilson Malanda. Despite the stats, Kahlina has only kept one clean sheet out of five to start the season. As the year goes on and the new backline combination gets more games together under their belt, we can expect those to come more often. Ashley Westwood Westwood has been the key cog in the machine for Dean Smith’s system during his time here, and that has been no different this season. The 35-year-old midfielder is on the ball more than any other player for Charlotte FC and has won 71.4% of his duels while not being dispossessed a single time so far this season, according to FotMob. He has also been superb as a passer with an accurate pass rate of 89.3% with 25 accurate long balls.  Westwood’s ability to transition from defense to build-up play and join the attack is crucial for Charlotte as a true box-to-box midfielder. His intelligence on the pitch is second to none as he knows where he needs to be at all times and holds the team together as a leader with the captain’s armband on. Summary After a shaky first two games, Charlotte FC bounced back and looked much better during its home stretch. One area of concern could be that both of their wins came against teams that had a player sent off with a red card early. While they were already playing well before the red card in the match against the Red Bulls, the sending off still impacts the game. With a difficult April schedule featuring first-place Nashville twice and a matchup on the road with second-place New York City FC, the question that remains is whether they can maintain the consistency they have found on their home stretch over a longer period of time and find success in possession against full-strength sides for 90 minutes. Charlotte FC’s April Schedule April 4: vs Philadelphia Union April 11: vs Nashville SC April 14-15: US Open Cup Round of 32 April 18: at New York City FC April 22: at Orlando City SC April 25: at Nashville SC

By Andrew Crowell - @ajc10_11 John McGinn (Photo: Joe Prior/Visionhaus) As the season progresses and teams begin to learn strengths/weaknesses, transfer rumors start to explode on the scene. What could some transfers look like in the coming windows for Charlotte FC? Dean Smith has lots of connections in England and Scotland, meaning big clubs with players on expiring contracts could look to reconnect with their old gaffer for a new challenge in the MLS. The Scottish National Team will also be calling Charlotte home for the 2026 World Cup, giving extra opportunity for the Queen City to show its worth to players who may be looking for a new club in the future. Here is a list of 8 players that Dean Smith could influence on a move Stateside to reunite with their former gaffer, or because they could be staying in Charlotte as a part of the Scottish National Team this summer: John McGinn, Center Midfielder While his contract is not expiring soon, he is a prime candidate given his ties to Smith at Aston Villa and his playstyle in the midfield. He is definitely on the ambitious side of this list, but has to be mentioned. He will also be a part of the Scotland National Team during the World Cup. Matt Targett, Left Back Out of contract this summer, Targett is currently on loan at Middlesbrough from Newcastle United. He has been a consistent part of Middlesbrough’s side this season, as they sit second in the Championship. Targett is somewhat flexible with his positioning as he has also played in the midfield at times in his career. Ryan Christie, Midfielder Christie is a defensive midfielder who currently plays for AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. He was flagged due to his decreasing participation in games this season, playing only 26% of possible league minutes this season. Christie will also likely be on the plane with Scotland and staying in Charlotte this summer for the World Cup. He is not a former Smith player. Kenny McLean, Midfielder Out of contract this summer, Kenny McLean made 21 appearances for Smith at Norwich City in the heart of the midfield. The downside to McLean is that he is 34 years old and another aging midfielder might not be what Charlotte needs. He will also likely be in Charlotte for the World Cup. Grant Hanley, Center back Speaking of older players from Norwich, Grant Hanley is a 34-year-old centerback currently playing with Hibernian FC in Scotland. Not someone I would see Smith throwing a lot of effort at, as far as a signing. He will most likely be in Charlotte for the World Cup. Danny Ings, Striker The 33-year-old striker’s services currently belong to Sheffield United, where he has scored 1 goal in 19 appearances. Not beautiful stats, but in his defense, he has only played 16% of potential league minutes this season. He played for Smith at Aston Villa and made 9 appearances. Ross Barkley, Attacking midfielder The attacking midfielder made 24 appearances for Smith at Aston Villa and is currently with Villa for another spell. This season, he has 2 goals in 14 appearances, but has only played 14% of league minutes. Barkley would be a great addition to Charlotte and bring Premier League experience along with mentorship for the younger midfielders in the Charlotte locker room.  Sam Byram, Left back 32-year-old Sam Byram is a defender for Leeds United currently. He made 15 appearances for Smith at Norwich City, and his contract ends this summer. Not a position of need for Charlotte, while Byram fits the criteria, he is not a realistic target at this stage. Honorable Mention: Solly March is another English player whose contract expires this summer. He is another player who could follow in the footsteps of Harry Toffolo and join his fellow countrymen in conquering a new challenge. Toffolo had expressed that Dean’s influence on the English game helped bring him to Charlotte , and many of these players could have a similar mindset, especially those who played for the former Aston Villa manager.

By Rylee McKinney Charlotte FC's supporters (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90) One cannot attend any MLS game without noticing the lively supporters sections! At the beginning of each match, supporters often unfurl large Tifos, glowing with color and culture. Tifos ultimately make matches unique, showcasing a team’s identity and community culture on a national stage.  Originating in Italy and Southern Europe, the tifo has been a staple of the game since the 1960s and ‘70s. Deriving from the word Tifosi , or “fans,” tifos expand beyond just “messages.” Rather, tifos represent large-scale displays characterized by art, choreographed movements, and community creativity. Primarily , tifos are meant to bridge community and motivation; sometimes, they even communicate forms of social resistance.  Charlotte FC’s supporters section is no stranger to the tradition. Since the club’s inaugural season, supporters have illuminated Bank of America Stadium with visually moving art. Here is a look at some of the best tifos from Charlotte FC and across the league as a whole: Top 10 - Charlotte FC “For Anton Forever” - 2023 Charlotte FC also released this tifo in memory of Anton Walkes, which blends an image of Queen Charlotte with the glowing number five. This tifo paid special tribute to Walkes while also kicking off The Crown’s second season in the MLS.  "Goku" - 2024 Based on the hit anime,  Dragon Ball Z , this tifo uses the main hero, Goku, and implants Sir Minty’s face into his “spirit ball.”   Queen - 2024 This tifo is an adaptation drawn from the Queen City’s ultimate inspiration, Queen Charlotte. ¡ Por la Corona! - 2023 In honor of Hispanic Heritage month, this tifo was designed with input from the Hispanic/Latinx Charlotte FC supporters. Within the design are hints of Hispanic/LatinX culture, complemented by the Spanish-language title.  Titan of the Queen City - 2023 Making its debut in 2023, this tifo inspired Charlotte FC’s newest tradition: the lighting of the flame before each match to protect the fortress. The ritual itself is a part of Charlotte’s pre-match entertainment to excite the crowd, a key component to each home match.  "MintFinity Gauntlet" - 2023 Inspired by the hit Marvel movies, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame , this tifo blends Charlotte FC with pop culture. Here, the club’s cherished Mascot, Sir Minty, is clutching his own gauntlet, which symbolizes the capability of world-ending destruction.  "The Crown Strikes Back" - 2023 Drawing from the popular movie franchise Star Wars , this tifo made its appearance during Charlotte’s regular-season match against Chicago Fire FC. The tifo was raised in May to commemorate the popular Star Wars  reference: “May the force be with you.” That night, the force was surely with The Crown as they took home a 2-1 win.  “Go On Have a Bite” - 2023 This tifo was showcased during Charlotte FC’s second-season match against NYCFC. Taking a jab at “The Big Apple’s” team, this tifo represents the famous villain from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty . The tifo itself was created by the students enrolled in the Graphics Academy at Highland School of Technology in Gastonia. In the end, NYCFC took a bite from the poison apple, granting Charlotte FC a 3-2 win at home.  "Anton Walkes" - 2023 This particular tifo commemorates the unfortunate loss of Charlotte FC defender Anton Walkes. With Charlotte FC’s inaugural team, Anton Walkes provided stability to the backline for Charlotte. Sadly, Walkes passed away in January 2023, leaving fans devastated. This tifo was created in his honor and was a joint collaboration between Walkes’ two clubs, Charlotte FC and Atlanta United.  "Dirty Dancing Lift" - 2022 Also created by students at Highland School of Technology in Gastonia, this tifo was one of Charlotte’s earliest. This specific tifo draws on the infamous scene in Dirty Dancing  where actor Patrick Swayze lifts actress Jennifer Grey. Yet the supporters cleverly replaced the actors with Queen Charlotte, who was lifted high overhead by former midfielder Ben Bender. Top 10 - MLS 1. Atlanta United FC - "MLS 3.0" - 2018 During the 2018 MLS Cup Final against the Portland Timbers, Atlanta United FC displayed a train-themed tifo. This massive tifo featured a train to symbolize the city’s rail history and relentless momentum. In the end, the train did leave the station for Atlanta as they took home a 2-0 victory over Portland and their first MLS Cup.  FC Cincinnati - “One City One Club” - 2025 To commemorate the club’s 10th year, supporters unleashed the beast. During their regular-season match against Charlotte FC in August of 2025, the Orange and Blue released one of the best tifos yet, blending special effects with art. FC Cincinnati took the pitch with smoke pouring out of the lion’s mouth!  LAFC - “Goku”  - 2022 Launching their 2024 MLS Cup appearance was LAFC’s wicked “Goku” tifo. Glowing with golden flames, Goku greeted the Philadelphia Union at the BMLO Stadium. Just like Goku’s dramatic fashion, the Cup was finally awarded to LAFC after a 3-3 draw in regular play followed by a high-intensity shootout.  Portland Timbers - “50th Anniversary” - 2025 Last season, the Portland Timbers celebrated the team’s 50th anniversary. In their home match against Minnesota United. This massive tifo covered the entire north end of the stadium, with elements on the east and west sides. This tifo evolved into an experience for fans that told the Timbers’ history.  NYCFC - “Don’t Be Plastic!” - 2024 In the wake of the blockbuster movie  Barbie , New York City FC unveiled a Mattel-inspired design during its match against Inter Miami CF.  Created by NYCFC’s supporters group, Third Rail, this tifo won the 2024 “Best Tifo of the Year.” Its goal: to poke fun at the rise in casual fans attending MLS matches to see Lionel Messi work his magic on the pitch.  LAFC - “Football is Freedom" - 2021 Revealed during Juneteenth, this tifo, designed by 3252 Collective, aimed to celebrate the holiday and Bob Marley’s passion for soccer. During their match against Sporting KC, Bob Marley’s son, Ziggy Marley, served as the honorary falconer, adding to the tifo’s energy.  Columbus Crew - “Saved the Crew” - 2024 Columbus Crew launched a grassroots campaign from 2017 to 2018 after the club was considering relocating to Austin, Texas, at the behest of owner Anthony Precourt. Through massive community mobilization, legal battles, and a new ownership purchase, the team was able to stay in Columbus. So, this tifo celebrates the anniversary of the “Save the Crew” movement and the lengthy fight to keep the Crew where they belong.  Austin FC - “Somos Del Equipo De La 512” - 2021 In memory of the famous Latin singer  Selena Quintanilla-P érez, this tifo appeared at Austin FC’s match against LA Galaxy. Designed by ATXFC Artist Initiative member and Los Verdes supporter Joel Corral, this tifo represents the cultural identity of Austin’s vivacious supporters.  St. Louis City SC - “Cityzilla” - 2024 Cityzilla made its statement to kick off the 2024 MLS Rivalry Week match between St. Louis City SC and Chicago Fire FC. The tifo featured an anime-style Godzilla breathing out fire, accompanied by St. Louis’ acclaimed title “King of the Midwest.” Designed by supporter group STL Santos and other fan volunteers, this tifo ultimately led to a 3-1 victory for St. Louis.  Seattle Sounders - “Don’t Call it a Comeback” - 2023 Nodding to the LL Cool J lyric, “Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years,” this tifo was designed to kick off Seattle's 2023 MLS season. The design features head coach Brian Schmetzer as the DJ, surrounded by graffiti and bright green. After a disappointing 2022 season, Seattle was looking to change the tone. Seattle kept their word with a dominant 4-0 win over the Colorado Rapids.

By Billy McGee - @iambillymcgee Archie Goodwin celebrating (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90 Charlotte FC set a new club record for goals in a match as they dismantled Red Bull New York 6-1 at home. The score was just 1-0 at half after an Idan Toklomati goal, but two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second opened the floodgates as Red Bulls defender Gustav Berggren was sent off with a red card before the third goal. Here is our stock up, stock down from Charlotte’s record-setting win on Saturday: Stock Up Kerwin Vargas - The 24-year-old winger made his second start of the season against the Red Bulls, continuing his track record of performing well against them, scoring his first goal of the season in the opening minute of the second half, and has now scored in each of the last three fixtures against New York. Beyond his goal, Vargas also drew the foul that led to the first goal and had a big chance in the first half that was saved. With Liel Abada not cementing himself as an obvious first-choice right winger in his starts, Vargas took the opportunity and ran with it, possibly earning himself more games as the starting winger opposite of Wilfried Zaha. Charlotte FC’s Depth - Dean Smith opted to use all five substitutions in the match, and all five performed well. Most notably, Archie Goodwin came on in the 75th minute and, in his cameo, scored his first two goals for the club, assisted by David Schnegg and Liel Abada, who were also both substitutes. Midfield subs Brandt Bronico and Luca de la Torre also looked good; the latter had 90% of his passes be accurate, including his only long ball of the game. Bronico made a short appearance, coming on in the 85th minute and leading the press. He made a key pass and had a progressive carry into the penalty area that created a near chance for Goodwin, but it was stopped by the Red Bulls' defense. Having depth on the bench is crucial for the squad as they compete in three different competitions this year, and this performance showed us that there are players outside of the starting XI that can be leaned on if necessary. Set Pieces - Dean Smith said back on March 9 that he was bringing a set-piece coach to join Charlotte FC’s coaching staff. The team has had struggles with set pieces in the past, but against the Red Bulls, they thrived, scoring three of their six goals from set pieces. Pep Biel assisted on the first goal and scored the third goal from free kicks. The fifth goal came from a free kick taken short to Schnegg, who took the ball down the line and crossed it in for Goodwin’s first goal. With this being a point of focus and a new coach coming in for set pieces, this could be just the beginning for Charlotte. Their improvement on set pieces will make the attack more versatile, being able to create chances more often from dead-ball situations instead of relying largely on individual players to do so in open play. Ashley Westwood - The Charlotte FC captain had his best match of the season, with Dean Smith saying he was his Man of the Match at the post-game press conference. He dictated the game, snuffing out many Red Bulls' attacking opportunities, blocking a shot, making a clearance, winning his only tackle, and winning two of his three ground duels as well as his only aerial duel. With the ball, Westwood was crucial, 94% of his 63 total passes and 92% of his 37 passes in the opposition half were accurate, including two key passes. He had 72 touches with just one unsuccessful touch and had a successful dribble. When Westwood is on his game, it makes all the difference for Charlotte FC as he gets involved and makes an impact on all aspects of the game, as we saw on Saturday.

By Sean McGuffin - @SeanMCG704 Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90 Charlotte FC returns to the Bank for the third straight week after a scoreless draw with Inter Miami. The 0-0 result was the first clean sheet of the season for Charlotte, with an impressive showing from the defense, but some missed opportunities from the forwards. Charlotte will look to make ground in the east against Red Bull New York. Here is our predicted Charlotte FC starting XI for tonight's game:  Defensive Unit Kristijan Kahlina remains in goal after a clean sheet against Inter Miami. Kahlina had a plethora of impressive saves to keep Inter Miami off the board and continues to be reliable in goal each week. The backline held their own against a Miami team missing Lionel Messi, allowing only three shots on goal. Morrison is beginning to look more comfortable next to the veteran Tim Ream, and Harry Toffolo continues to show proficiency in winning the ball back. Nathan Byrne began the match with a scary injury, colliding with Mateo Silvetti while trying to head the ball. Byrne recovered, playing through the final whistle. This is a resilient backline that is showing improvement, and it is unlikely Dean Smith will make any changes for tonight's match.  Tyler Miller will be the backup goalkeeper option, with Andrew Privett, David Schnegg, and Jack Neeley available as subs. Midfield line The trio of Brandt Bronico, Ashley Westwood, and Pep Biel will likely be called upon as the experienced core of this starting 11.  Bronico and Westwood’s veteran presence is crucial to the transition from defense to offense, and Biel continues to be a scoring threat each week.  Djibril Diani is once again an expected midfield sub. Diani subbed in for Bronico in the 71st against Inter Miami, and his fresh legs could be crucial in the late game. Luca de la Torre will also be available this week. Forward line The forward line has been a topic of debate since the Inter Miami match. Idan Toklomati had a relatively quiet game, but is expected to start against the RBNY. Wilfried Zaha continued to show skill in play, yet his antics after the whistle remain a weakness. Zaha should start this weekend, but if he earns another yellow card tonight, he will be suspended for the next match. The biggest question mark coming into tonight's match is who plays the right wing. Liel Abada had multiple scoring opportunities but could not capitalize. It may be time for Kerwin Vargas to get the starting nod in the forward line and use Abada as an available sub. Archie Goodwin and Tyger Smalls both saw time off the bench against Inter Miami and remain likely subs against New York. Predicted Starting XI

By Andrew Crowell Daniel Brown (Photo courtesy of Laura Stroud/Charlotte FC) Charlotte FC may have a new young starlet on their hands. Daniel Brown, a 14-year-old winger from Durham, NC was given his MLS Next Pro debut on March 6th making him the 9th youngest player all time to make his debut. He plays as a winger most of the time but could easily slot in as a 10 in the future with his technical ability and creativity. The young winger was also recently called up to the U.S. U-15 Youth National Team in September and is certainly making a name for himself as a top prospect.  To get an idea of how Brown compares to other young debutants, below is a list of the top 10 youngest debutants in MLS Next Pro history.  Luis Rivera – Real Monarchs - 14 yrs 3 months 24 days (DOB 12/1/2007, debut on 3/27/2022) - The Mexican-American midfielder continues to feature in the Monarchs Next Pro team, with over 20 appearances to his name so far. Maximo Carrizo - NYCFC - 14 yrs 4 months 27 days (DOB 2/28/2008, debut on 7/24/2022) - Became MLS’s youngest ever first team signing in 2022 and usually makes cameos off of the bench for the club. Sebastião Nzita – Houston Dynamo 2 - 14 years - 5 months, 13 days (DOB 10/10/2010, debut on 3/23/2025) - The Angolan forward has made limited appearances since his debut but the potential is certainly there. Axel Kei - Real Monarchs - 14 yrs 5 months 14 days (DOB 12/30/2007, debut on 6/12/2022) - The homegrown forward helped the MLS Next Pro team win the MLS Next Cup in 2021 with a golden boot winning season. But since then, Kei has not quite lived up to his potential and was waived in the summer transfer window in 2025. Cavan Sullivan – Philadelphia Union II - 14 years 5 months 25 days (DOB 9/28/2009, debut on 3/24/2024) - Where does one begin with Cavan Sullivan? One of the most exciting American prospects of all time, Sullivan joined the Union Academy in 2020 and quickly made a name for himself not only for the Union but the USMNT youth teams as well. He led the US U15 National Team to victory in the CONCACAF U15 Championship, which was the first time the US ever won the tournament and even won the Golden Ball award, given to the best player in the tournament. Sullivan has a clause in his contract that involves a transfer to the Premier League’s Manchester City when he turns 18. Zamir Loyo Reynaga – Sporting Kansas City II – 14 years 8 months 8 days (DOB 1/20/2011, debut on 9/28/2025)
 - A midfielder from Sporting KC’s academy, he is currently featuring for the MLS Next Pro side Sporting Kansas City II and will be elevated to Sporting Kansas City’s first team in 2027 as a homegrown player. The left-footed attacking midfielder started in Sporting KC II’s only match so far this MLS Next Pro season. Vinny Garcia – VCFC - 14 yrs 8 months, 11 days (DOB 6/25/2010, debut on 3/7/2025) - An outstanding midfielder for LA Galaxy’s MLS Next Pro team Ventura County FC, he played a full 90 minutes in the both games of the season so far after contributing off the bench most of last season. Christopher Cook – NTX – 14 years 9 months 9 days (DOB 10/13/2009, debut on 7/21/2024) - coming out of the Dallas academy, Christopher “Steel” Cook was an MLS Next all star last season and continues to make a name for himself as one of the best midfield prospects in MLS Next Pro. Daniel Brown  - CLFC – 14 years 10 months 1 day (DOB 5/8/2011, debut on 3/6/2026) Apolo Marinch – CLB – 14 years 10 months 11 days (DOB 4/29/2010, debut on 3/23/25) - Used as a substitute for most of his MLS Next Pro appearances, Marinch was a developing forward in the Columbus Crew system who recently signed with USL side Orange County SC in September of 2025. Young stars have a wide range of potential. Some turn into stars that even have the chance for a European move (think Alphonso Davies), while some crash and burn and never realize that professional potential. Axel Kei, spot number four on the list, was widely touted as the next big forward, especially with his Golden Boot-winning MLS Next Pro season. Kei being waived is one of the biggest surprises on a list with so much potential. While pressure comes with being a young and successful upcoming player, Charlotte FC has a good reputation for developing youth talent, from Aron John to Nimfasha Berchimas. Daniel Brown? Certainly a name to keep an eye on.

By Rylee McKinney Pep Biel against Austin FC (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90) Charlotte FC once again returns to The Bank this weekend for another Eastern Conference clash. This time, Charlotte FC welcomes Red Bull New York to the Queen City.  Last week, Charlotte fought for 90+ minutes against third-place Inter Miami CF, resulting in a 0-0 draw. As for RBNY, an extra-time equalizer by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting granted them a 1-1 draw with Toronto last week. Heading into Matchday 5, Charlotte remains in 6th place in the Eastern Conference, while RBNY sits in 4th.  The Crown faced RBNY twice last season, earning a 1-0 home win and a tough 4-2 road loss. During the 2025 season, Charlotte FC secured a top-four finish while RBNY finished outside the playoff line in 10th place.  After a disappointing season, RBNY fired manager Sandro Schwarz, who had been with the team since 2024. Despite Schwarz’s extensive resume, he simply could not bring Red Bull into the pool of top-contending teams. Ultimately, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the last 15 RBNY seasons sealed Schwarz’s fate. Consequently, in response to Schwarz’s departure, New York appointed former USMNT star Michael Bradley in December. Previously, Bradley coached the club’s MLS Next Pro side, Red Bull New York II, leading them to the 2025 MLS Next Pro title.  Bradley was not the only change to the Red Bull roster leading up to the 2026 season. Key departures from the squad include goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, defender Sean Nealis, and forward Lewis Morgan. Strategic additions include goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, defender Justin Che, and fullback Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty. Most notably, head coach Bradley made some unexpected moves during RBNY’s first match of 2026. RBNY’s starting XI featured homegrown talent in the form of forward Julian Hall and midfielder Adri Mehmeti. Mehmeti made his MLS debut this season under Bradley. So far, Hall scored twice against Orlando City and once against the New England Revolution, while Mehmeti has tallied two assists. These homegrowns are sending shockwaves through MLS.  Charlotte FC has also welcomed some younger players onto the pitch. After navigating the loss of center back Adilson Malanda, Charlotte FC has been testing its options. After an average performance by Andrew Privett for CLTFC’s opening road matches, head coach Dean Smith has been starting 21-year-old Morrison Agyemang. Despite a rocky start for Morrison, playing time seems to be helping him progress. Additionally, 19-year-old midfielder Aron John signed on with Charlotte FC’s first team on a short-term agreement from Crown Legacy. John made his debut with the Black and Blue at home against Western Conference Austin FC, subbing on for captain Ashley Westwood.  Despite the surge in younger players earning playing time, Charlotte FC continues to prioritize its veteran players. Similarities from last season’s lineup feature attacking midfielder Pep Biel and fullback Nathan Byrne. It appears that Dean Smith is slowly testing his younger players, relying more on experience to carry the torch. Unlike Charlotte, Red Bull New York is embracing the player pathway head-on, letting them make major headlines in MLS. This week’s matchup focuses on the teams’ rookie-versus-veteran clashes, particularly Pep Biel versus Adri Mehmeti.  Pep Biel - Charlotte FC - Attacking Midfielder Attacking midfielder Pep Biel finally made his return to the pitch this season after a prolonged injury at the end of 2025. Before his sidelining injury, Biel scored a total of 10 goals and 11 assists in 26 regular-season games. His accomplishments in 2025 made him one of eight MLS players to reach the 10 goals/10 assists club last season. Biel arrived in Charlotte in August of 2024 on loan from Greek side Olympiacos FC, but most recently signed on as a Designated Player on permanent transfer this past January.  So far this season, Biel has started in four matches for The Crown. To no one's surprise, Biel has already scored three goals. He even earned MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday three against Austin FC. His performances as of late make it feel as though he never skipped a beat. Biel’s ability to create in the attacking third, combined with his precise finishing, makes him the key man for Charlotte FC’s midfield.  Adri Mehmeti - Red Bull New York - Center Midfielder RBNY’s newest addition, Adri Mehmeti, has been shaking things up for the New Jersey team. His intense energy and creativity will definitely challenge The Crown’s veteran midfield unit Saturday night. As the product of the pathway, Mehmeti was a member of the Red Bull Academy and a part of the 2025 Red Bull New York II squad.  Despite Mehmeti’s age, he is already showing great promise on the field. So far this season, Mehmeti has started all four matches for RBNY, recording two assists. This homegrown player joined New York in 2024 on a four-year MLS contract with an option for 2029. His stellar performance so far has even earned him a spot on MLS’s Team of the Matchday for Matchdays 1 and 2. To put it simply, Mehmeti is literally just getting started and will have plenty more to show for as the season progresses. Summary Saturday's matchup will be a true clash between experienced players and the incoming class to MLS. Biel’s consistent impact in Charlotte’s attacking third and advantageous play-making abilities will most likely have RBNY’s younger players spinning. RBNY players like Mehmeti and Hall will definitely have to track back in transition play, utilizing their speed to their advantage. However, Biel must not let his age and judgment cloud his view of Red Bull's shiny new starters, especially Adri Mehmeti. After their 0-0 draw with Inter Miami CF last week, it was evident that Charlotte’s squad struggled in moderating Miami’s younger players. This week, it will be extremely important for players like Biel to keep tabs on these teenagers and keep a firm hand on the reins. Having some experience with Miami’s Santiago Morales and Noah Allen last week, Charlotte should be prepared and ready to anticipate this new wave of pathway players. *Stats from Transfermarkt and FotMob

By Billy McGee - @iambillymcgee Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90 Charlotte FC played their second consecutive home game against a heavily rotated Inter Miami side that had 10 new starters from their midweek CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Nashville SC. The crowd showed out for Charlotte again with an official attendance of 34,780. The game saw momentum swing several times, but neither team could break through, and the game ended in a 0-0 draw. Here is our stock up, stock down from Charlotte’s draw on Saturday: Stock Up Kristijan Kahlina - The Croatian goalkeeper saved a point for Charlotte for the second time this season. Against St. Louis City in the season opener, he made a career high 10 saves in the 1-1 draw and made three saves on the three shots on target he faced on Saturday for his first clean sheet of the season. The 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year denied an Ian Fray header worth 0.64 xG and cleared the ball off the line in the 34th minute. Kahlina has high expectations this season and through four games is living up to them, as he leads MLS with 23 saves and has an 82.1% save percentage, which would be the highest mark of his Charlotte FC career. Morrison - After making his first team debut as a halftime substitute against the LA Galaxy, the young center back has started in both matches since. After scoring an own goal last week, Morrison bounced back with a strong showing against Inter Miami. The Ghanaian center back is a big, athletic, physical presence in the back for Charlotte at 6’4” that pairs well alongside the veteran Tim Ream, who lacks the pace that Morrison has. Against Miami, he made five interceptions, and while in possession, he was 79/89 on accurate passes and 5/10 on long balls. Morrison should continue to grow and improve as he gains experience, giving fans something to look forward to in the long term  for the club's backline. Stock Down Idan Toklomati - After a breakout season in 2025 that saw him score 13 goals in all competitions, Toklomati has gotten off to a slow start in 2026. Just one goal, involvement, and three shots on target in four games have left a lot to be desired from the Israeli striker this season. Saturday saw him take just one shot, a header that missed high and wide, and his only pass in or around the box was inaccurate. He was subbed off late for the third time this season, this time for Archie Goodwin. Charlotte will need Toklomati to step up this season, get involved in the attack, and have a true striker’s mentality up top, something he has not shown much of outside of the game against Austin while playing up a man. Idan Toklomati's total passes (Graphic from Sofascore) Wilfried Zaha - Zaha picked up his fourth yellow card in as many games on Saturday and was lucky not to be sent off after a foul for striking an opponent in the face shortly after his first yellow card. He is now just one yellow away from suspension, less than one month into the season. Although he did lead the team with three shots on target, he didn’t provide much creation off the wing, completing just one of three dribbles, which was in his own half, and only making one pass into the box while going 18/21 total on accurate passes after having 90% passing accuracy last week on 71 attempts. Going forward, Zaha will need to find some consistency and avoid the up-and-down performances, as well as avoid stacking up too many yellow cards that would result in suspensions, leaving Charlotte without one of its best attackers. Cohesion and continuity - A big part of the transfer window and the offseason for Charlotte was the cohesion and continuity that they would have after retaining much of the same squad as last year. This has yet to be seen on a large scale this season. Outside of the game against Austin, where they played with a one-man advantage following a red card in the first half, they have frequently relied on the individual brilliance of players to get them out of tough situations. Whether it be Zaha and Pep Biel combining for a goal against St. Louis City or Kahlina making otherworldly saves, Charlotte has struggled to play together as a team and use their continuity as an advantage against opposition that has had far more roster turnover. This will hopefully come in the future as the team gets more games in together, as it will for many teams, but for the time being, it is not making the impact that it was hoped to have early in the season.

By Brian Maurer Photo courtesy of Eastern Visuals/TopBin90 Charlotte FC got its first win of the 2026 season last weekend against Austin FC. Head Coach Dean Smith will look to keep the momentum going against Eastern Conference juggernauts Inter Miami. The last time Lionel Messi and co. came to the Queen City, they were beaten 3-0 thanks to an Idan Toklomati hat-trick. Charlotte will be looking to earn another win in front of a raucous hometown crowd tonight. Here is our predicted Charlotte FC starting XI for tonight's game: Defensive unit Kristijan Kahlina continues in goal, no changes there, although surely he is ready to start getting a couple of clean sheets under his belt, as he was due one against Austin FC, except for an own goal. There is no reason to think there will be any changes across the backline after last week's performance, with Harry Toffolo and Nathan Byrne showing improvement out wide and Morrison maintaining his newly won position alongside Tim Ream. Tyler Miller will maintain his backup goalkeeper role, with Andrew Privett and David Schnegg as the most likely backup defender options. Midfield line Brandt Bronico covered ground well, especially on the left behind Toffolo, who pushed forward, so it should be expected that he gets another run from the start alongside Ashley Westwood in the double pivot against Inter Miami. Pep Biel will continue playing in his free-roaming 10 role, where he has already found the net three times through three games. Djibril Diani will be the main midfield option off the bench as Luca de la Torre has been ruled out based on the MLS Status Report. Smith had told media de la Torre was in concussion protocol on Thursday. Baye Coulibaly is another option off the bench, but he has not featured on a matchday roster in 2026. Aron John just made his debut and could get called up again on a short-term loan if needed. Forward line Wilfried Zaha will continue on the left with Idan Toklomati up top. Liel Abada connected well with Biel last weekend and will likely get another shot over Kerwin Vargas this weekend. Vargas, Archie Goodwin, and Tyger Smalls appear to be Smith's preferred attackers off the bench at the moment. Predicted Starting XI