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By Brian Maurer Kristijan Kahlina celebrates winning MLS Cup Playoffs Game 2 against NYCFC (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90) It's a new year, and with it comes one of the most exciting soccer calendars in US history. While there won't be any 2026 World Cup games being hosted in Charlotte, there is still plenty of soccer action to cover in this region. Here is a breakdown of all the major soccer games and events in the Carolinas you will want to mark down in 2026: January Charlotte FC's preseason is underway, and with it came their first preseason game against the Charleston Battery this past weekend. Charlotte's first action against an MLS opponent is this weekend in Florida. 1/31 - Preseason: Charlotte FC vs Sporting Kansas City in Florida February USL Super League will be back in action after its winter break, and the Carolina Ascent's first home match after the new year will kick off pro soccer action in the Carolinas with their home game against Lexington SC. Charlotte's preseason will hit its crescendo with two matches in Coachella Valley, and then their opener is the week after on the road against St. Louis City. Also, the Carolina Cup will be back with 10 teams in college men's soccer, facing off around the Carolinas as they get their spring schedule underway 2/7 - Lexington SC at Carolina Ascent @ 2:00 PM ET 2/7-14 - Charlotte FC plays in Coachella Valley Invitational 2/21 - Charlotte FC at St. Louis City @ 2:30 PM ET February-April - Carolina Cup including 10 men's college soccer teams: Campbell, Duke, High Point, NC State, South Carolina, UNC, UNCG, UNCW, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest March March is the month of home openers. Charlotte FC begins March with its home opener against Austin FC, followed by a big-time home matchup against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi the next weekend. The US Open Cup will also kick off this month, with MLS NEXT Pro, USL 1, and USL Championship teams joining at the first stage. The Charleston Battery, Charlotte Independence, and Greenville Triumph all have their home openers this month. MLS NEXT Pro clubs Carolina Core FC and Crown Legacy FC also have their home openers in March. 3/6 - Huntsville at Crown Legacy FC @ 7:00 PM ET - Home opener 3/7 - Austin FC at Charlotte FC @ 7:30 PM ET - Home opener 3/7 - Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Charleston battery @ 6 PM ET - Home opener 3/14 - Inter Miami at Charlotte FC @ 7:30 PM ET 3/14 - Chattanooga Red Wolves at Greenville Triumph @ 7 PM ET - Home opener 3/14 - Orlando City B at Carolina Core FC @ 3:00 PM ET - Home opener 3/18-19 - US Open Cup First Round 3/18 @ 6:30 PM ET - Greenville Triumph at Asheville City SC 3/18 @ 6:30 PM ET - Badgers FC at Charleston Battery 3/19 @ 6 PM ET - Virginia Dream FC at Carolina Core FC 3/19 @ 6:30 PM ET - Ristozi FC at Charlotte Independence (playing in Matthews, NC) 3/27 - Spokane Velocity at Charlotte Independence @ 7 PM ET - Home opener April Charlotte FC will host Southeast rival Nashville SC, and then midweek, the Crown will join in the US Open Cup Round of 32. For college soccer, the Carolina Cup Final will kick off at Wake Forest in the second week of April. 4/11 - Nashville SC at Charlotte FC @ 7:30 PM ET 4/12 - Carolina Cup Final @ Wake Forest's Spry Stadium 4/14-15 - US Open Cup Round of 32 - Will include Charlotte FC May May is when things really start to heat up as Charlotte hosts another perennial Eastern Conference contender, FC Cincinnati. Then Carolina Ascent hosts one of the top teams in the USL Super League. The big kickoff for May will be the international friendly between the USMNT and Senegal, which will be a huge send-off as the World Cup gets underway in June. 5/9 - FC Cincinnati at Charlotte FC @ 7:30 PM ET 5/16 - Sporting JAX at Carolina Ascent @ 7:00 PM ET 5/31 - International friendly in Charlotte, NC: USA vs Senegal @ 3 PM ET June The month soccer fans around the world are waiting for! Game after game after game of international action. If you are in the Carolinas and need a break from the TV, you can also catch a USL League 1 derby in Charlotte. 6/11-7/19 - FIFA World Cup 2026 6/24 - Greenville Triumph at Charlotte Independence @ 7 PM ET July Right after the World Cup Final, Charlotte FC gets right back into the MLS fray by hosting their Southern rivals, Atlanta United, midweek. The following week, Charlotte will host the MLS All-Star Game. 7/22 - Atlanta United at Charlotte FC @ 8 PM ET 7/29 - 2026 MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte August After a crazy June and July, college soccer kicks off in August, and then Charlotte FC will travel for the away game against Southern rival Atlanta. Mid-August - NCAA Men's and Women's Soccer begins 8/29 - Charlotte FC at Atlanta United @ 7:30 PM ET September In September, the MLS season will begin to hit its full force, and with it comes a big home matchup for Charlotte FC, where they will have a chance to avenge their 4-1 home loss from 2025 against the Chicago Fire. There will also be some intense MLS NEXT Pro action as state rivals Carolina Core and Crown Legacy will face off a week before they both travel for Decision Day. 9/12 - Carolina Core FC at Crown Legacy FC @ 7 PM ET 9/20 - MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day Crown Legacy FC at FC Cincinnati 2 @ 2 PM ET Carolina Core FC at Columbus Crew 2 @ 2 PM ET 9/26 - Chicago Fire at Charlotte FC @ 7:30 PM ET October In October, Charlotte Independence travels to Greenville, and Charlotte FC hosts Eastern Conference foe, Orlando City. 10/17 - Charlotte Independence at Greenville Triumph @ 7 PM ET 10/31 - Orlando City at Charlotte FC @ 7:30 PM ET November November will be a big month of soccer for the Carolinas, as it will be Decision Day in MLS, which means Charlotte FC travels to Inter Miami to visit their new stadium. After the international window, the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs will get underway. Also, men's and women's college soccer conference tournaments will be underway, with several marquee matchups likely in the Carolinas. In 2025, the ACC, Big South, American, and Southern Conference Tournament Championships were all hosted in the Carolinas. 11/7 - Charlotte FC at Inter Miami @ 4:00 PM ET Early to mid-November - ACC, Big South, and Southern Conference Tournaments for men's and women's college soccer Mid-November - MLS Cup Playoffs begin after the November International Window December December will be another big month for college soccer in the Carolinas, as WakeMed Soccer Park will host the NCAA DI men's and women's College Cup the same weekend. Around the same time, the MLS Cup Final will be kicking off. 12/11-14 - NCAA DI Men's and Women's Soccer College Cup - Cary, NC Mid-December - MLS Cup Final

By Rylee McKinney Willian Sangoquiza Paredes, Baye Coulibaly, Jack Neeley Charlotte FC’s preseason is underway, and the squad wrapped up its first preseason friendly last week. Taking home a 3-1 win over USL Championship side Charleston Battery, Charlotte FC kicked off their preseason with a great start. Despite seeing the faces we all know, like Ashley Westwood, Idan Toklomati, and Kerwin Vargas, coach Dean Smith hinted at his interest in some new faces.  Here is a sneak peek at some of Smith’s Crown Legacy, SuperDraft, and First Team supplemental players that might be piquing Dean Smith’s interest ahead of the 2026 MLS season:  Crown Legacy Charlotte FC’s MLS NEXT Pro team, Crown Legacy, has been a strong pathway for the Crown. According to MLS roster rules, CLTFC is allotted three U22 Initiative slots. Two U22 players, Emmanuel Uchegbu and Rodolfo Aloko , might just be fighting for one of those slots.  Uchegbu currently plays as a forward/winger for Crown Legacy, and his MLS NEXT Pro contract is through 2028, with a club option for 2029. With Crown Legacy, Uchegbu has played in 23 matches, scoring six goals and three assists.  In September of 2025, forward/winger Aloko also signed on with Crown Legacy through 2029 with an option for 2030. Before signing with Legacy, Aloko was on loan at NK Kustošija in Croatia through December of 2025. With NK Kustošija, the 20-year-old Beninese appeared in 15 matches, scoring four goals and seven assists.  Other Legacy players who might be earning some First Team playing time include midfielder Aron John , defender Willian Sangoquiza Paredes , and defender Morrison Agyemang .  John has played with Crown Legacy from 2023 to 2025, making 13 appearances with one goal and three assists in the 2025 season. In 2024, John was on the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI for his breakout campaign that year. Sangoquiza Paredes officially joined Legacy in 2024, but was on loan before the 2024 season. In his 2024 season, the Ecuadorian made 24 appearances, racking in two goals and one assist. Lastly, Agyemang joined Crown Legacy mid-season in 2025, winning 60.7% of aerial duels and 34 recoveries. Super Draft Three players from the 2025 and 2026 SuperDrafts are also catching Dean Smith’s attention: Will Cleary , Jahiem Wickham , and Andrew Johnson .   Cleary joins The Crown fresh from Stanford as a four-year midfielder/defender. The four-year collegiate player was selected  22nd overall in the 2026 SuperDraft. With Stanford, Cleary made 79 career appearances with 66 starts, tallying six goals and nine assists. The University of South Florida alumnus, Wickham, was selected 82nd overall in the 2026 SuperDraft. Wickham spent his first three seasons at Syracuse University before transferring in his final year, and earned the American Conference Co-Goalkeeper of the Year in his single season with South Florida. 2025 SuperDraft pick, Johnson, is also looking to earn a contract with CLTFC. The defender was selected 47th overall from Cornell University, but went back to school for the fall season. Johnson started in all 50 matches during his three seasons with Cornell. Before his collegiate career, Johnson earned minutes with the Philadelphia Union Academy and eventually the MLS NEXT side, FC Delco Academy.  First Team Several familiar faces from Charlotte FC’s First Team will be looking to earn more minutes with the squad during the 2026 season.  Baye Coulibaly signed with Charlotte FC late in the regular season last year as a U22 Initiative player. During 2025, he also played with Crown Legacy, where he made 24 appearances, ranking second on the team in minutes played. His steady consistency for Legacy made him a regular starter in their midfield.  Additionally, defender Mikah Thomas will be competing for some playing time this season, as he has a First Team contract but has yet to make an appearance for Charlotte FC. Selected in the 2025 SuperDraft from the University of Connecticut, Thomas was also a product of the MLS NEXT U23 program. In 2025, with Crown Legacy, Thomas won about 51.1% of duels on defense and scored two goals for the squad.  Homegrown player Nimfasha Berchimas signed with Charlotte FC in November of 2022, becoming one of the youngest MLS signings at just 14. Berchimas made his MLS debut in the 2024 season against NYCFC. So far, Berchimas has only made three appearances with the First Team. The young winger has made 42 appearances with Crown Legacy from 2023 to 2025, scoring ten goals and two assists.   Last but certainly not least, defender Jack Neeley will be a contender for First Team minutes as well this season. He signed with Charlotte FC as the club’s third homegrown player in March of 2023 after progressing through Charlotte FC's Academy. During his 2025 season with Crown Legacy, Neeley made 21 appearances in which he recorded four goals and two assists. In 2025, he also debuted with the First Team, so fans can expect some intensity from the young centerback to earn more playing time, especially with multiple spots at his position open. *Stats taken from FootyStats and FotMob

By Brian Maurer Aron John (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90) Crown Legacy FC and Charlotte FC Academy prospect Aron John (19) has left a lasting impression with Charlotte Head Coach Dean Smith. After the team's first preseason friendly of 2026, Smith said, "[John]'s really impressed me," to the media in the postgame scrum. The coach also mentioned that the young midfielder could be in for some first-team minutes this season. In August 2023 , John was awarded the Crown's first-ever Academy Player of the Year award after finishing his U17 campaign with six goals and six assists. This was only the beginning of the young prospect winning personal accolades. John has been earning minutes with Crown Legacy since their inaugural season in 2023, but in 2024, was when his impact on the field was truly felt, leading to his first pro contract. The Charlotte-native was named to the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI after racking up 18 goal contributions (8g/10a). After the success of 2024, John turned some heads at the USYNT level and earned his first national team call-up in the spring of 2025. When talking to USYNT coach Rob Valentino about his time with the national team, he mentioned his versatility, humility, and coachability as key traits that stood out right off the bat. "I watched him at Crown Legacy play multiple positions, and that's what is also, for me, really good...in the training sessions, he was really sharp, really coachable with any little details you were to give him," said Valentino. Valentino mentioned that John came on as a substitute against Spain in the first of two friendlies and was then given the start against Ukraine in the second. "He came into the game [against Spain] really well...for the game against Ukraine, he started that game as more of an eight, but we played him in a deeper position to help with our build-up," Valentino recalled. The US against Ukraine was a more physical affair, as the Ukrainians were a bit older and more structured in their approach. "He's got an unbelievable work rate...his effort was top." A box-to-box midfielder is what John told us is his  preferred position , but he was asked to play a bit higher in his preseason start against the Charleston Battery this past weekend, as he slotted into the attacking midfielder role that Brandt Bronico and Pep Biel occupied throughout Charlotte's 2025 season. His ability to be flexible and play multiple positions, combined with his finishing ability and work rate, should suit John well as he looks to earn a First Team role and contract this preseason. "I just think he also has another quality...one, if he plays as a six, he can help in the deeper parts and help us in the build, and he's also shifty enough on the defensive side to block passing lanes or just break up plays and be a little bit nastier...he's not afraid to put himself around," assessed Valentino. It is worth noting that his current professional contract is with Crown Legacy, but there is a First Team guarantee within that deal. Valentino's assessment does seem to highlight several traits that appear to be top of Smith's preferences in midfielders. It's just a matter of whether he can convince the club that 2026 is the right time to trigger that option.

By Brian Maurer Djibril Diani during last season's playoff series versus NYCFC (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90) One of the discussions Jorge Gonzales, Justin Olsinski, and I had a couple of weeks back on the podcast was who needs to have a big 2026 season. There are several candidates for a multitude of reasons, from contract situations to rising team expectations. Here is a breakdown of some of our top candidates who need to find a new level for Charlotte FC in 2026: Djibril Diani Djibril Diani is an obvious candidate who needs a breakout in 2026. He is on the final year of his contract with no more option years, and Charlotte just signed another midfielder in Luca de la Torre, who will for sure eat up minutes in the Crown's midfield. Brandt Bronico earned another contract extension this past year, and there is also a U22 Initiative prospect, Baye Coulibaly, on the senior roster who will contend for minutes. Diani is in the prime of his career and will need to show a new level he can reach, as his minutes are being challenged from multiple sides. The upside for him is that Dean Smith said he appreciates a multitude of options and different traits in his midfield. If Diani can make his strengths stand out, he can earn himself a role and a new contract. Ashley Westwood Charlotte's captain is also in a contract year with an option for 2027. Ashley Westwood has been one of the Crown's best players since he arrived in 2023, and the level he reached in 2024 brought the club to a height that has been difficult to replicate. The question for this season will be whether he can either return to his 2024 level of work-rate and two-way play this year, or if he finds another solution and connection within midfield that raises the level of the team, without having to do the same level of work as when he first arrived. Westwood will be 36 this year, making the demands on his body and how he responds with his performance on the pitch one to watch as the marathon season goes on, as this could determine the club's direction heading into the next winter window. Idan Toklomati Idan Toklomati earned the nine kit this winter after leading the team in goals in 2025. The pressure for Toklomati will be hitting that level and raising it now that more opponents are likely to lock in on him. He struggled at times during the playoff series last year, so he will also need to find a way to raise his level in the key moments throughout the season. Pep Biel Pep Biel has returned to training and told the media in his press conference that he is back to full health. The pressure on him will be to return to his MVP-candidate level form and stay on the field to help the team compete for trophies. Last season, Charlotte's playoff run was cut short, and it was easy to turn to Biel's absence as a key reason. That absence has two meanings in terms of the importance of Biel having a big 2026. First, it highlighted his value when he was missing and why he earned Designated Player status and an extended contract. This newly earned status raises the expectations for him, which leads to the second meaning: if he is available in the key moments during the 2026 playoffs, can he provide the difference that is expected to get this team over the line? The answer to that question will be one of the most important throughout Charlotte FC's 2026 campaign. Luca de la Torre The USMNT midfielder is a brand new signing, and generally, that means time is required to acclimate through the early portion of the season. However, there will be expectations out of the gate for de la Torre as he will likely be one of the highest-paid players on the roster, and he can help evolve the play of the Crown with his ability to connect lines and progress play towards the attacking third. If more connectedness, ball control, and creative progression aren't seen, questions will be asked about how far this team can go and whether the long-term signing of de la Torre is capable of making that impact.

By Rylee McKinney Wilfried Zaha and Idan Toklomati (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90) The Crown is expected to kick off its 2026 season against St. Louis on February 21. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet!  Charlotte returned to the pitch last week with regular training ahead of the preseason. In attendance were some familiar faces, as well as newcomers such as midfielder Luca De La Torre, left back David Schnegg, and, most recently, goalkeeper Tyler Miller. Here’s a look at Charlotte FC’s preseason schedule ahead of the 2026 season:  Preseason Schedule  January 24 : Preseason friendly - CLTFC versus Charleston Battery ( USL Championship) January 30: Following their trip to Charleston, the team will continue its preseason in Florida.  January 31:   Preseason friendly - Charlotte versus Sporting KC.  Early February:   In their final stage of preseason, Charlotte will travel to the Coachella Valley Invitational in Indio, California. February 7: San Jose Earthquakes versus CLTFC at 12:00 PM (PT) / 3:00 PM (ET) February 8: Closed friendly - CLTFC versus Phoenix Rising ( USL Championship) February 11: Closed friendly - CLTFC versus LAFC February 14: CLTFC versus Minnesota United at 10:00 AM (PT) / 1:00 PM (ET) February 21: Charlotte FC kicks off its 2026 season away versus St. Louis at 2:30 PM (ET)

By Sam Vanolinda Adilson Malanda (photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90) Adilson Malanda and Patrick Agyemang are two immensely talented players who made their way to the Championship in England in 2025 after starting their careers with Charlotte FC. It is always fun to watch players who developed with your team move on to success elsewhere. While you may have seen some highlights or chatter about both players on your timeline, in this article, I will take a deeper look into how Agyemang and Malanda have settled into Championship football.  A deeper look Agyemang has played 23 games for Derby County so far this season, totalling over 1600 minutes. He currently has seven goals and three assists, an impressive stat line for a 25-year-old adjusting to English-style play. With Derby's starting striker, Carlton Morris, injured, Agyemang has taken the opportunity to prove himself. He is tied for the most goal contributions for the club, and Derby has scored in 18 consecutive games, which is the longest active streak in the league. Derby County is currently in 12th place in the Championship, with ten wins, eight draws, and nine losses. Agyemang picked up the Man of the Match and EFL Championship team of the week honors when he scored a brace against Sheffield Wednesday, as well as winning December Goal of the Month for Derby with his strike against Hillsborough. As I was writing this article, Agyemang scored an 82nd-minute winner in his latest Championship game against Preston North End, sending the away fans into a frenzy: Agyemang's star continues to rise with this late winner. He has instantly become a fan favorite for Derby County as he helps move the club up the table. Malanda, on the other hand, has played only two league matches for Middlesbrough and has one appearance in an FA Cup loss to Fulham. The first league game was a 4-0 victory against Southampton, in which the Frenchman quickly showed his class. He led the match in clearances and recoveries. Middlesbrough fans on X had nothing but praise for Malanda after his first game. @DaveyLawrence said, "Based on that performance, we have some player on our hands here. Oozes class, authority, charisma, and composure. Superb reading of the game, good touch, and range of passing. He's mint!" @mar_boro14 added: "Absolutely immense. Don’t wanna get carried away, but he looked like a Premier League defender playing in the Championship out there today." It was obvious to Charlotte fans that Malanda had the quality to play in any league, not only on the defensive side, but with his passing and composure on the ball. While he is just starting his career in Middlesbrough, he has already left a good impression on the fans. The head coach of Middlesbrough, Kim Hellberg, said this about Malanda before he even touched the field: "He has impressed me in the way he talks and acts, and he looks like a top human being, and also a very good footballer. We have to have a bit of patience with him, because he’s coming straight from a break into English football. We’ve got to give him the best conditions to be good when he plays." Middlesbrough is currently looking like a promotion favorite, sitting in second place behind Coventry in the Championship table. The fans will hope that Malanda continues to provide solid performances as they push through the season. I was able to contact a Derby County fan that I know personally to ask about Agyemang; Robert Jones is a lifelong Rams fan and ex-leader of the Derbyshire Council: "The EFL Championship is a very physical division. Even more than the Premier League. He took some time to come to terms with that, but is now demonstrating his speed and strength. He is clearly an asset to the side, though his all-around play is still a work in progress; he clearly has great potential. He has a bright future in English football." Agyemang is putting pressure on defenses just like he did at Charlotte, in an even more physical league. As Jones said, he still has some improvement to make all around. He looks to have the potential to be an important player for Derby County now and in the future. Malanda is only two games into his Championship career, but he is already a starter for Middlesbrough. He will also be a key player for The Boro as they hope to play in the Premier League next season.

By Rylee McKinney Dayne St. Clair, Cristian Espinoza, and Ezekiel Alladoh MLS’s 2025 season was a true whirlwind full of head-turning changes for the Eastern Conference. From mind-blowing signings to a game of weekly bumper-cars within the standings, the Eastern Conference kept fans on their toes all year.  Several teams around MLS have already made potential game-changing moves heading into the 2026 season, as the number of competitive rosters continues to increase. Here’s a look at some of the big changes over the off-season that will impact the Eastern Conference heading into the 2026 season: New Signings Inter Miami CF 2025 MLS Cup winners Inter Miami continue to set the standard in the Eastern Conference through several major roster upgrades over the offseason. The club started this winter with the signing of the 2025 Goalkeeper of the Year, Dayne St. Clair, in free agency.   To reinforce their back line, Miami acquired center back Micael dos Santos from Palmeiras via the Houston Dynamo, and former La Liga and Premier League left back Sergio Reguilón.  The permanent signing of Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid completes Miami’s midfield. With De Paul’s permanent acquisition, the club now holds an additional Designated Player spot, which will reportedly be filled by German Berterame from CF Monterrey. Miami improved every line, and they already had one of the strongest rosters before making any moves. Nashville SC Nashville SC, finishing in 6th place in the Eastern Conference last season, made one of the most impactful moves this offseason. On January 9, Nashville announced the signing of free agent forward Cristian Espinoza.  Espinoza’s contract with Nashville is set through 2028 with options through June 2029 and the 2029-30 season. With his previous squad, the San Jose Earthquakes, Espinoza held and continues to hold the all-time assist record, with 83 assists.  Espinoza’s arrival adds creativity to a team already centered around Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, granting Nashville one of the most dynamic attacking trios in the East. Additional signings such as Maxwell Woledzi and Warren Madrigal further strengthen the team’s depth.  D.C. United D.C. United takes on a more aggressive roster with the signing of Romanian striker Louis Munteanu as a Designated Player. Munteanu’s signing marks a club-record transfer fee of $7 million plus add-ons.  Munteanu most recently played with CFR Cluj in the Romanian first division for the past two seasons. During his first season, Munteanu won the SuperLiga Golden Boot with 23 league goals and held a significant role in the club’s Cup Championship win. This move reflects a renewed commitment for D.C. to bring a more consistent competitive presence to the table. This club-record transfer followed their addition of DP striker Tai Baribo from the Philadelphia Union. D.C. has also added several MLS-experienced pieces, including goalkeeper Sean Johnson and defender Sean Nealis. Philadelphia Union 2025 Supporter Shield winners, Philadelphia Union, said their goodbyes to longtime left back Kai Wagner as he made the move to English Championship team, Birmingham City. Wagner’s departure left a significant gap in a team that has traditionally relied on defensive stability and the German's ability to whip in great crosses.  The Union has significantly addressed its attack with the signing of striker Ezekiel Alladoh from Sweden’s top division. Before his MLS move, Alladoh was in Sweden’s top flight with IF Brommapojkarna, where he scored eight goals across all competitions at just twenty years old.  Alladoh’s three-year contract is guaranteed through 2028 with club options for 2029 and 2030.  The Union has also added center back Japhet Sery Larsen from SK Brann. Coaching Changes and Tactical Shifts Most notably, the Eastern Conference has seen some significant alterations to many teams’ coaching staffs. Columbus Crew made headlines following the departure of Wilfried Nancy earlier in the offseason. Following Nancy’s move to Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership, the crew appointed Henrik Rydström to help stabilize the transition. Rydström most recently led Malmö FF of Allsvenskan in Sweden’s top division and brings along 10 years of coaching experience. The New York Red Bulls also made waves with a new chapter under head coach Michael Bradley. The decision comes after Bradley’s successful stint leading their MLS Next Pro team, RBNY II, to a championship. Bradley hopes to bring a new intensity to the Red Bulls, which could shake up the standings.  Teams on the Rise Despite the cut-throat competition in the Eastern Conference table last season, fans can expect some further ferocity heading into the 2026 season. Here are some teams that may just climb the 2026 table: Nashville SC appears to be a sincere threat to the top of the Eastern Conference following a well-rounded offseason. Their front three of Espinoza, Surridge, and Mukhtar have the potential to combine star power with depth, which may be the key to a top-four finish.  Columbus Crew also remains a team to watch despite its transitional phase. A strong roster foundation and improved stability under head coach Henrik Rydstrom suggest that last season’s seventh-place finish may be a foundation for growth.  FC Cincinnati is yet another club capable of taking a step forward. While they struggled last season to integrate their attacking talent into a cohesive unit, a full preseason together could help iron out those complications.  Orlando City and Charlotte FC both face pivotal decisions that could foreshadow their 2025 trajectories. Orlando moved on from Luis Muriel to open a Designated Player slot, and Charlotte may look to do the same with Liel Abada. Either team could push itself to be a genuine contender in the Eastern Conference, depending on its next steps. Looking Ahead With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to pause the MLS season from late May through mid-July, depth and adaptability will be critical across the Eastern Conference. As teams balance star signings, tactical chances, and financial flexibility, the race for the top of the East appears as competitive as ever.

By Brian Maurer Pep Biel (CJ Hellner/Topbin90) Pep Biel had the most goal contributions (10g/11a) in an MLS season by a Charlotte FC player in their history in 2025. Unfortunately, he missed the final stretch of the season, and his absence was felt in their First Round exit versus NYCFC during the MLS Cup Playoffs. Since Biel did end up missing 11 games, including the playoffs, it seemed like enough of a sample size to look at the underlying numbers of what the midfielder's impact was for the Crown when he is on the field versus when he was off it. Without further ado, let's get into the stats: Biel's +/- in his 26 MLS appearances was a +6 with a +.27 per 90 average*. Those numbers put him right around eighth compared to the other regular contributors on the roster. However, it's worth pointing out that Biel missed more than half of Charlotte's historic nine-game winning streak. Since there are a few caveats in how the +/- data looks, I then examine the team's final third production when Biel was starting in MLS games versus when he was out. I excluded his two late substitute games. Narrowing down the list of games to his 24 MLS starts with over 60 minutes and then looking at the 11 games he missed (eight regular season/three playoff games). Team goals and goal differential stats In the 24 games Biel started, Charlotte scored 41 goals and had a goal differential of +6. That's good for 1.71 goals per game and +.25 GD per game. In the 11 games Biel wasn't involved in, the Crown scored 12 goals with a -1 GD. That's a drop off of .62 goals per game and -.34 GD per game. The final product, when Biel was not involved at all, was 36% lower. A drastic difference. SCA and GCA comparison Biel had 84 shot-creating actions (SCA), which comes to 3.86 per 90 through his 24 MLS starts. He had 14 goal-creating actions (GCA), which averaged out to .64 per 90. As a team, Charlotte had 490 SCAs and 69 GCAs in the 24 MLS games the Spanish midfielder started in. This averages out to 20.42 SCAs per 90 and 2.88 GCAs per 90 when Biel started. In the 11 games Biel was not involved in, the Crown mustered 15.91 SCAs per 90 and 2 GCAs per 90. Down 22% and 31% respectively. The lack of production without Biel is loud and clear. The amount of attacking volume goes down, and with it drops the goal production. The playoff series When looking at the Crown's First Round series against New York, they actually created close to the amount of SCAs as they had on average with Biel (19.33). The issue was that they couldn't turn any of the volume into a serious threat. Charlotte's primary attackers (Wilfried Zaha, Idan Toklomati, Kerwin Vargas, Liel Abada, and Archie Goodwin) had 20 shots through the three-game series. Nine of them were blocked, meaning the New York defense had them covered nearly 50% of the time in those moments. Charlotte's attackers only managed five shots on target throughout the three-game series, which led to one Toklomati goal in the playoff round. With Biel being back, ideally, the Crown will have more quality chances in the final third, especially in the monumental moments of the season. This is one of the key questions for Charlotte FC in the 2026 season: Will Biel's presence back on the field turn up the attacking volume and quality in the key moments down the stretch? Based on the data from last year, there is definitely an argument that his presence could alter the final moment for the Crown this season. Although this is with the caveat that he may still need additional help. This is because at 20.42 SCAs per 90 (which was the average with Biel starting) that still puts Charlotte near the bottom of MLS in 2025. This means that in 2026, Biel will likely need some support creating attacking volume. *All stats used in this article were pulled from FBRef.com

By Brian Maurer Ashley Westwood (center) during Round 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2025 (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90) Charlotte FC's preseason kicks off today as they prepare for their 2026 season. The Crown will be aiming to make history for the club in one of the most highly anticipated years for MLS and American soccer as a whole. As preparations for the new season kick off, players will be coming in with a clean slate to make an impression and earn their minutes. That process starts now. Some starting roles and minutes are more clearly defined on paper going into preseason, but other spots look to be up for grabs. Here is a look at the different positions and player competitions to watch as Charlotte's preseason training gets underway: Center-back Tim Ream's role at left center-back looks locked in heading into 2026, but the question will be the right center-back role in Dean Smith's back four. Currently, there are limited options on the roster, and the expectation is that Charlotte signs reinforcements to replace Adilson Malanda, who left this winter. First up in the position battle is Andrew Privett, who should see this as an opportunity to try and get the minutes he lost last season. Homegrown signing Jack Neeley is the only other name currently at the position, but it will come down to who the Crown ends up signing this winter, which will shape the position battle at CB. For now, Privett will likely get first crack. Center midfielders There are two spots open in Smith's preferred double pivot setup he has used since arriving in Charlotte, and there appear to be five options for those two spots. Ashley Westwood and new signing Luca de la Torre will be the front-runners for early-season starts. However, Westwood's age and fitness will likely be under the microscope a bit more this year as his 2025 form dipped from his standout 2024 campaign. Brandt Bronico and Djibril Diani will both be looking to find their fit in the midfield, where they have finished each of the last two seasons as starters. The fifth name to throw into the mix is U22 Initiative player Baye Coulibaly, who was called up to the senior roster during the Summer Transfer Window last season. Charlotte's midfield feels like the position that will be the most under scrutiny and where the competition for minutes will be most fierce, especially because there were several moments last season where the midfield struggled to win their battles and control games to get the results they needed. Even if the early favorites, Westwood and de la Torre, start out of the gate, Bronico, Diani, and Coulibaly should all feel like the opportunity is there to earn a consistent starting spot. It almost seems silly at this point to say Bronico will have to earn his minutes back, as he has at least 2,000 minutes in all competitions each of Charlotte's first four seasons, but here we are again. Diani will need to put in a serious shift this season as the pressure mounts with him being in a contract year. Coulibaly is the wildcard; it is definitely worth keeping a close tab on his progress and role through the preseason games. Right winger This is a really strange situation, as the two primary right-wingers in 2025 are both potentially on their way out if the right offer comes in for them. Liel Abada appears to clearly be shopping around, but Smith has also said he likes him, even if he wasn't playing him much down the stretch. The Crown has received offers for Kerwin Vargas, but so far, the right move hasn't come up yet. If both wingers do not start the year in Charlotte, this position gets really switched up, but since they are still under contract and preparing for the season, we will start with them as the position competition battle. Vargas won the spot outright down the stretch and will be the front-runner heading into 2026. Abada's last start in Round 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs last season left a lot to be desired, so he will need a big step up to try and earn minutes or starts over his Colombian teammate. Another scenario, given the players currently available, is Pep Biel, who has also been used on the wing. Charlotte appears to have more options available in the midfield and fewer out wide, especially if Abada and/or Vargas are transferred. This leaves the option open for Biel to move out wide if the need arises. Besides the midfield, the right wing is where a lot of focus will be during preseason, especially with the transfer rumors swirling. Striker Idan Toklomati brought a lot of excitement to Charlotte's starting lineup as he led the team in goals and looks locked in as the starter going into 2026. However, his Australian teammate Archie Goodwin is another young goalscorer who will be hungry to push for more minutes in 2026. Both of these strikers are young, with a good likelihood of ups and downs occurring as they gain experience on the field. The competition between the two should be fun for fans as they push each other to reach new levels of production in the final third. While Toklomati's role and style of play are more defined and known by media and fans, Goodwin is one to watch, as this will be his first preseason with the Crown.

By Sam Vanolinda Will Cleary (Photo courtesy of Stanford Athletics) Charlotte FC has already made great use of the SuperDraft since the club's inception. Players like Patrick Agyemang and Andrew Privett have become key figures, and in Agyemang's case, have moved on to European football with Derby County. Tyger Smalls has become a bench option, and who can forget Ben Bender's impact on the team in its first couple of years? Much of the offseason is focused on big-name signings and roster moves, so the SuperDraft can often go under the radar despite the significant impact college players can have. In the 2026 draft, Charlotte FC selected midfielder/defender Will Cleary with the 22nd pick in the draft, alongside Tulsa defender Luke Adams in the 2nd Round and University of South Florida goalkeeper Jahiem Wickham in the 3rd Round.  In the following, I'm going to focus on First Round pick Will Cleary and what he can bring to this squad in 2026 and beyond: Career and accolades Cleary finished his college career captaining Stanford University, leading them to the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament. He ended his four-year career at Stanford with 79 games played, 66 starts, six goals, and nine assists, playing as a midfielder and right back. He saw the field all four years, quickly becoming a leader within the team. In his Sophomore year, Cleary led Stanford to the Quarterfinal of the NCAA tournament, defeating the number 1 seed Marshall in the process. Before college, Cleary was a highly decorated player in New England, earning All-American honors, and even trained with the TOVO academy in Barcelona. Cleary is well known for his intelligence and work rate off the field, having made the PAC-12 Academic Honor Roll in 2023 and receiving the Founders Prize from Stanford for academic achievement and contributions to the school community. Playstyle The Windsor, Connecticut native is a dynamic player who can play in midfield and at right back. Depending on the moves Charlotte FC makes in the offseason, I see him being an option as a backup to Nathan Byrne at the start of his career. He is a very progressive player within his team; he helps the ball flow from defense to offense, which is a need that Charlotte has going into 2026. According to Paul Harvey of americansocceranalysis.com , who has created a database of all 2026 SuperDraft players, Cleary’s 12.49 progressive actions per 90 are among the best in the Nation.  He has 6.53 passes into the final third/90, which is also in the top percentile. You can compare Cleary and Ashley Westwood: both leaders and both progressive passers who greatly help build-up play. While he is just average in 1v1s and slightly above average in his creation, Cleary is one of the best finishers for his role, and also very impressive defensively. His 6’2" frame makes him one of the best aerial players in the Nation, with 8.31 duels won per 90. Cleary rises to score a header against Boston College As shown above, he is a threat going forward due to his size, but he also has the speed to recover defensively and make key tackles. As shown below: Cleary races back to make a key tackle against Wake Forest Whenever Cleary is in the game, you will find him in the middle of the action, doing the things that may go under the radar but help his team win games. Breaking up play on one end, moving it forward to create a counterattack, winning duels, making interceptions, and occasionally getting forward to grab a goal or an assist. Will Cleary highlights The above shows what Cleary is about as a player. Winning possession, link-up play, and driving forward and delivering crosses into the box. While it will take him time to adjust to professional-level defenders, and he won't just glide past guys as he did in college, once he adjusts to MLS, I can see him having a positive impact on Charlotte FC. His versatility will help him get minutes early in his career, as when injuries happen, it's good to have a player who can play multiple positions. Because of his size, I could see him slotting into any position in the back line and the midfield. Summary Will Cleary makes me excited for the preseason to start and to see him get some minutes at the next level. Charlotte FC's strategy in taking Cleary was to get a solid, experienced player who could help advance the ball into the final third and who has versatility in his game. He is also a great set-piece threat, which is something we all know Dean Smith appreciates. All in all, I think Charlotte made an intriguing choice with Cleary. Because of his versatility, he could make an impact with the Crown later in 2026 or beyond, depending on how quickly he adjusts to the increased speed of play. Credit to ESPN/ Bruno Villa Audiovisual on YouTube for the Highlights

By Brian Maurer Ashley Westwood (photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90) MLS writer Matt Doyle published his grades for every MLS team this past week, and for Charlotte FC, he gave them a grade of "met expectations." It's a fair grade, and his assessment is likely common among many around the fanbase. Doyle's overall take was "[Charlotte FC] can grind out regular-season wins, but that's about it." The primary focus for Charlotte in 2026 will be their performance in the postseason, Leagues Cup, and US Open Cup. All tournaments, they should be able to compete in, but the Crown hasn't been able to make any serious movement under Dean Smith's leadership. In Smith's first two seasons, the Crown has never advanced past a Tier 1 team in tournament action. Smith has mentioned that his preference and view on success is to stay consistently rising in the table. Which he has done. The question now is silverware and qualifying for the Concacaf Champions Cup. Here is an early look at what I think Charlotte FC's grading expectations are for 2026, using a similar model to Doyle's grading system for 2025: exceeding, met, or below expectations: Exceeding Expectations - Winning Supporters' Shield or MLS Cup. If this team reaches the peak of MLS success either through their regular season consistency or with an exciting MLS Cup run, then they would have exceeded their season's expectations in my eyes. Met Expectations - Qualifying for Champions Cup or winning silverware. It's pretty straightforward what the next step up for this club is. Not accomplishing these feats would be below the club's own standards, which they have been setting, which is continued progress. They were one point from qualifying for the Champions Cup in 2025, so any progress made in the table this season should get them over the line. Below Expectations - If, at the end of this season, the conversation is "they are just one piece away" or "if this player or that player wasn't hurt at this time" or any of the other reasons that have been discussed in the past couple of seasons come up again, 2026 fails to live up to the hype. Sitting comfortably in the playoff picture won't be good enough, or satisfactory to a fanbase dying to see that next step taken in a city starved of trophies.

By Brian Maurer Luca de la Torre (photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90) Charlotte FC's General Manager Zoran Krneta stated that new midfield signing Luca de la Torre "connects play and excels in progressing the ball." This statement is a good indicator from the front office chief that they have a concern with their ball progression and aim to improve in that area this offseason. The Crown finished the 2025 MLS season with the 18th most progressive passes*, placing them in the middle of the pack. In the final third, they were second-to-last in key passes and 14th in passes into the final third. All of these stats highlight that there is plenty of room for Charlotte to improve at progressing the ball into dangerous areas. The lack of ball progression last season forced Charlotte to be very dependent on shooting efficiency (second in MLS in goals per shot on target), which worked in 2025, but it's difficult to rely on long-term if they don't find ways to improve their overall attacking volume. In 2025, the Crown was second to last in shot-creating actions per 90 (18.59) and 26th in live pass SCAs per 90 (14.5). Ideally, de la Torre helps by connecting better passes to the forward line, who then have more opportunities to create, which theoretically gets these numbers up in 2026. Luca de la Torre's 2025 passing stats compared to Charlotte FC's 2025 midfielders Player SCAs per 90 Live pass SCAs per 90 Progressive Actions per 90** Passes into the final third De la Torre 2.42 2.09 14.21 4.47 Westwood 2.31 1.72 7.16 6.06 Bronico 1.67 1.32 8.34 3.22 Diani 1.02 .94 6.25 4.92 Last season, the USMNT midfielder averaged 2.85 progressive carries, 5.91 progressive passes, and 5.45 progressive passes received per 90. When comparing his progressive stats to Charlotte's three primary midfielders from last year (Ashley Westwood, Brandt Bronico, and Djibril Diani), he beats them in all three progressive categories. De la Torre averaged .94 key passes, 4.47 passes into the final third, and 1.06 passes into the penalty area per 90. Westwood had better numbers in all three of these categories, and Diani had slightly more passes into the final third. The midfielder had 2.42 SCAs per 90 with 2.09 live pass SCAs per 90. Westwood led Charlotte's midfielders with 2.31 SCAs per 90 and 1.72 live pass SCAs per 90, giving de la Torre an edge compared to the Crown's current midfielders in helping build play towards a shot. In 2025, Charlotte FC depended heavily on its shooting efficiency with limited attacking volume and ball progression. The signing of de la Torre indicates the team's aim to be stronger with the ball by controlling games in possession and moving the ball more methodically into dangerous areas on the field. Author note: Many might ask why I didn't use Pep Biel as a midfielder comparable, but based on the way Biel is used and plays, he is far more of a forward based on his positioning than a midfielder. *All stats used for this article were pulled from FBRef.com **Progressive actions = Progressive carries + progressive passes + progressive passes received