Sandwiched in between Nashville SC's Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinal series against Club América is a trip to Charlotte FC. In fact, it's the first of two meetings between the sides in 14 days!
For the latest on Charlotte, we checked in with Sam Spencer of Soccer Sheet.
Covering soccer from the Carolinas to the World Cup!
Ben Wright (SixOneFive Soccer): Charlotte feel like a bit of a tricky team to put a finger on this year. They're in the top four currently, and their underlying numbers are solid, but it doesn't feel like they've been looked at as one of the better teams in the East. How have you seen them?
Sam Spencer (Soccer Sheet): The fundamentals are there for Charlotte, and a healthy Pep Biel has been an exceptional playmaker for the team. Idan Toklomati has grown into the striker role vacated by Patrick Agyemang - get well soon, Big Pat - and the only piece of Charlotte's attack that isn't clicking is Liel Abada, though not for lack of effort.
We've seen both sides of Charlotte so far this year. Is this a team that could go on another huge winning streak this season? Yes. Is the floor lower than it should be for a team with this level of talent? Also yes.
The final thing keeping Charlotte out of the conversation is the lack of cup wins under Dean Smith. He had a death in the family during Leagues Cup last year, but the team still hasn't made a deep run in that competition, Open Cup, or MLS Cup since the Gaffer joined us from across the pond. Without a Son, a Messi, or – game recognizes game – a Surridge, it's going to be statement wins and hardware that elevate Charlotte FC in the national conversation.
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BW: I've been really impressed with Morrison Agyemang this season. How important has he been, and what's been his overall impact on the backline?
SS: Morrison - the mononym is preferred - has been strong at center back despite having to fill the shoes of Adilson Malanda, the biggest absence caused by Charlotte's lucrative outgoing transfers.
He got off to a rough start, with a miscommunication between him and Kristijan Kahlina leading to an own goal against Austin FC, but in a short time he has secured the second place in the center back depth chart after Tim Ream and ahead of Andrew Privett. CSO Joran Krneta has a reputation for finding great players in Eastern Europe, and Morrison – so far – is no exception.
