Charlotte FC’s Stock Up, Stock Down: Abada and Agyemang bounce back; Kahlina dominates
By Sam Vanolinda
After a disappointing game in the Sunshine State last weekend, Charlotte returned to their fortress in the Queen City and returned to form with a victory against FC Cincinnati.
The scoring started with Liel Abada taking advantage of a free one-on-one courtesy of Pavel Bucha's disastrous header.
The right-winger finished calmly; a much-needed goal after a rough start to the season.
The game-sealing goal was just three minutes later. It started with an impressive pass from Adilson Malanda through the heart of Cincinnati's midfield to Pep Biel. Biel received the ball, saw Patrick Agyemang’s run, and cushioned a ball perfectly into his stride before he powered the ball into the right corner with his left foot.
Agyemang and Abada needed a goal to boost confidence after their less-than-ideal first three games. Charlotte will be a hard team to beat if Agyemang and Abada keep their form.
Now the team has gone through the gauntlet that was the first four games of the season with just a couple of scratches on the armor, seven points from Seattle, Atlanta, Miami and Cincinnati is impressive, and even when that was mentioned in the post-game presser to Kristijan Kahlina, Tim Ream, and Agyemang, they still were disappointed about the loss against Miami.
This mentality is what creates a championship contender.
Here is the stock up/down for Saturday’s game:
Stock Up
Patrick Agyemang
It feels great to be writing positively about Agyemang again. Like I said last week, a striker just needs to see the net ripple to get his season going.
Agyemang’s service was questionable in the first three games, and even in this game the team didn’t create an abundance of chances, but when Biel spotted the striker’s adeptly timed run the USMNT standout didn’t waste his moment.
Agyemang wasn’t testing Roman Celentano frequently, with just two shots, but he looked much more dangerous holding the ball up, and once the 24-year-old got his goal, you could notice an extra pep (no pun intended) in his step that I am sure he will carry to next game.
In addition to this, he was his usual self when it came to long balls, creating havoc for the center backs every time the ball was played to him long.
Agyemang and Biel will be a key combination this season if the attacking midfielder can find the runs that Agyemang is making consistently he will score for fun.
Liel Abada
I am not going to say that Abada had a dominant game on the right wing Saturday night, but he does have a knack for scoring very timely goals.
I will never knock Abada for his finishing ability; it was obvious looking at Celtic game film before he arrived in Charlotte that he could tuck away chances.
Abada still had issues winning duels and taking on players in an isolated wing position, but he was hyper-aware when Pavel Bucha headed the ball directly in his path. He showed great pace to break away from the scrambling defenders and take the lead.
If you are scoring or creating goals you deserve to play, and Abada has proved that he can score or assist in important situations. While I am curious about Idan Toklomati’s ability in that position, Abada proved his worth Saturday night.
Krisitjan Kahlina
I say this about Kahlina every season, but he could be on the stock-up list pretty much every week. A Kahlina mistake is as rare as a pre-Messi Inter Miami fan.
The Croatian brick wall had seven saves Saturday night, with 1.45 goals prevented, 93% accurate passing, three diving saves, three saves inside the box, and one clean sheet.
Kahlina could slot into sides all around the world and do a job, he is the definition of consistency and he often goes underappreciated even after winning Goalkeeper of the Year.
The whole defense was incredible today, but Kahlina was the last line of defense and made some amazing saves.
Pep Biel
Pep Biel was an engine at the attacking mid position on Saturday night. Every game he seems to be more comfortable and more decisive with his decision making.
His pass to Agyemang for the goal was exactly the type of creativity you want from that position.
He is the key to the offense. In the first half, he wasn’t able to find many gaps, but in the second half, the team was able to find a couple of counter-attacking opportunities and capitalize.
Stock Down
Eryk Williamson
After watching preseason and the first regular season game, it seemed like Eryk Williamson would be an impact player for the team, but as Brandt Bronico has emerged back as the leading pivot to sit beside Ashley Westwood, he has faded slightly.
Williamson was subbed on in the 85th minute; he has gone from starting to a late-game rotational player.
As the season goes on and more team rotation happens, Williamson will have additional chances to prove himself with extended minutes.
Kerwin Vargas
There have been multiple points in his career where you would think Kerwin Vargas would be one of Charlotte’s franchise players going forward.
Unfortunately, his late appearances this year have seemed to drain his confidence, even when Vargas is brought on, he is not attacking defenders like he was in previous years.
I hope Vargas gets more time to shine, because he can be an electric winger when confident.
