Charlotte FC 2026 Preview

This article was written after recording The Designated Pundits‘s Charlotte FC preview for the 2026 MLS Season with special guest Will Palaszczuk from WFNZ. You can find that video on Spotify below.

2025 Recap

Charlotte FC has a largely successful 2025.  Although it didn’t end up with a trophy, the club had a 19-2-13 record and finished 4th in the Eastern Conference. They were good at scoring and keeping other teams out of the net, and was 6th place in the East in both categories. 

Charlotte was in the news a lot last season, especially for the high profile sale of striker Patrick Agyemang to Derby County for around $8 million.  They had a 9 game summer winning streak, and drew only 3 times all season.  Those extra wins helped them to a 13-1-5 home record, including the playoffs.  

On the slightly disappointing side, Wilfried Zaha had only 10 goals and 5 assists, although he did make an impact.  He was the most fouled player in MLS last year.    

Transactions

After losing their best player in a summer sale, Charlotte lost their best defender when Adlison Malanda’s loan expired.  The rest of the outgoing players are mostly depth pieces, or players who played smaller-than-expected roles. 

This offseason, Charlotte worked to fully acquire Pep Biel.  They signed Luca de la Torre from San Diego, who could be a huge midfield piece.  Luca will look to improve his current form and return to the USMNT ahead of the World Cup. He played 3 seasons for Celta Vigo after coming up with Fulham.  

Depth Chart

Charlotte FC will have a top 3 of Zaha, Toklomati, and Abada.  There is some thought that the starting right winger may be Kerwin Vargas, who finished there last season.  I tend to think cream will rise to the top, and Vargas’s errant crosses and missed shots will find him benched sooner, rather than later. 

In the center of the pitch, Luca de la Torre will pair with Premier League veteran Ashley Westwood. Joining Pep Biel, this is an absolute strength for Charlotte.  They can compete with many top midfielders in MLS. 

The backline takes a hit without Malanda, but Tim Ream should move from left back to center back and help Andrew Privett develop.  Henry Kessler and Jack Neeley provide depth.  Henry Toffolo and Nathan Byrne will start as fullbacks. 

Kristijan Kahlina was one of the best keepers in MLS, but got benched after a run of bad form last season.  Charlotte hopes that was merely and hiccup and he will return as a top MLS goalie in 2026. 

Questions

• Which player, outside our projected starting 11, has the best chance to win a job?
  • Brandt Bronico.  Charlotte seems to keep giving up on him, and he keeps proving everyone wrong.  If de la Torre can’t acclimate, or any midfielder misses time, he slots in as a starter without hesistation. 
• What are some realistic expectations for 2026?
  • Charlotte should be top third in the Eastern Conference. 
• What are some storylines to follow throughout the 2026 season?
  • Is Wilfried Zaha here to stay, or does he move on? What are Charlotte’s long term plans?
• What styles does this team match up well against?
  • Will said that teams that play higher lines are “Catnip for Dean Smith.”
• What styles does this team match up poorly against?
  • Charlotte has struggled to break down the low block. 
• What player improves the most in 2026?
  • Liel Abada.  He has time to prove he’s the Designated Player caliber winger he was signed to be. 
• Which player regresses in 2026?
  • Tim Ream.  Father Time is undefeated. 

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Hear more, and follow along as I preview all 30 MLS teams before kickoff of the 2026 season!

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