This is one in a series of team previews preparing fans for the 2023 MLS season. Check out the full list; teams will be revealed in predicted order of finish from Feb. 10-24.
What Charlotte FC did last year
Dare I say on the website formerly known as The Striker Texas Dot Com that Charlotte put together an Austin-esque first season? Excluding the fact it took multiple managers to do it, Charlotte showed signs of tactical identity and cohesion that have served as hallmarks for expansion teams that have taken a leap forward in their second season. It didn’t quite result in a a playoff appearance, but The Crown’s inaugural season was a success. The fans and the team are expecting big things in 2023.
Key additions
Forward Enzo Copetti (transfer from Racing Club), defender Hamady Diop (Generation Adidas SuperDraft pick), midfielder Ashley Westwood (transfer from Burnley)
Key departures
Midfielder Jordy Alcívar (transfer to Independiente del Valle), defender Christian Fuchs (option declined), forward Daniel Ríos (12/25/22 - transfer to Chivas)
Making the case for Charlotte FC
A Charlotte that takes an Austin-esque jump in year two probably relies on either DP Karol Swiderski or new DP striker Enzo Copetti putting together a Driussi-caliber MVP year. Other than those two, the rest of the roster just seems fine. And even then, I’m not totally sold on Copetti and Swiderski yet. Which, yeah, ok, we haven’t seen Copetti yet, but there are reasons beyond that. Mainly that they seem to be intent on moving Swiderski back as a hybrid 10-second striker and letting Copetti do the dirty work up top.
That feels risky! We just don’t have proof of concept on Swiderski in that role and it’s unclear if that move is actually going to make the team better, even if Copetti turns out to be a stud. Meanwhile, fellow DP Kamil Jozwiak showed absolutely nothing last season. He just might be a total bust and at that point I’m not sure Charlotte has the firepower to compete for a home playoff spot. The ceiling feels limited for this team but it felt that way for Austin last year too. Sometimes you just throw your hands up and say “Year Two Bump!!!” and don’t try and think about it harder than that.
Players to watch
Copetti goes by El Tanque and, like I said, could turn out to be a stud. But other than that, Jozwiak’s performance feels critical. The 24-year-old winger had three assists and no goals in 1155 minutes last season. That’s just not good enough and Charlotte’s attack felt limited because of him.
The defensive side of things can mostly be solved with a solid shape and mostly solid players. The attack needs a little more. Jozwiak kind of needs to be that little more. Swiderski and Copetti likely can’t carry the load by themselves.
A nerdy tidbit
Charlotte’s 44.97 expected points total last season is almost five points higher than Austin’s expected points total in their inaugural season.
A fun tidbit
The MVP of each Charlotte match gets to put on an actual crown after each game.
Also, Sir Minty exists.
𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 by CLTFC
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) August 18, 2022
Sir Minty: For breaking and entering
Reward 💰: Exclusive merch drop at Team Store pic.twitter.com/BUalJuRPRu
Projected finish
9th in the East
Look, the Year Two Bump is real but you can’t bank on it every time. Especially in a really deep conference like this year’s East. There’s a world where Copetti, Swiderski and company take off, but we can’t pretend like we know for sure it’s coming. Ninth place seems about right.
