Charlotte FC's Stock Up, Stock Down: Toklomati, Malanda, and Kahlina keep the Crown hanging around

By Sam Vanolinda

Adilson Malanda (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90)

A cold, rainy night at Lumen Field after a cross-country flight is not the ideal way to start a season, and Charlotte FC's performance on Saturday showed that. Based on the team's performance, a 2-2 draw against the Sounders was an absolute blessing; however, an away point against one of the best teams in the West is a solid result.

The team started slowly and never got into the right flow. They looked uncoordinated in the attacking third and, at times, lost concentration defensively, which led to Seattle's two goals.

Seattle had 18 shots, seven of which were on target, and Kahlina’s saves kept Charlotte in the game. On the other hand, Charlotte only had one shot on target, which was Adilson Malanda’s strong header in the first half, which he scored.

Charlotte’s second goal was a freak own goal caused by a great run and cross by Idan Toklomati in the 92nd minute.

That is a lucky point, to say the least, but a trait of a great team is games like this where you don’t perform well and still get something out of the game. You have to be ductile to be one of the best teams in MLS, you have to be able to bend and not break.

Head Coach Dean Smith was far from pleased with the team's performance.

“I take no satisfaction out of even just getting a point today,” Smith said post-game. “The performance was nowhere near our levels. They were a better team and they deserved to win. It was a poor night…”

Strong, but correct words from Smith, the team seemed unprepared. That said, a point is a point, and I am sure with the return of Wilfried Zaha against Atlanta next Saturday, they will play a much better game.

Here is the stock up, stock down from Saturday night/Sunday Morning’s game.

Stock Up

Adilson Malanda

It took one game for every Charlotte fan to be incredibly relieved that Adilson Malanda did not get sold to a European club in the January transfer window. 

Malanda was by far the best player for Charlotte today. His defensive actions were solid as usual and he scored from a great Pep Biel corner. 

Malanda had two tackles won, five blocks, six clearances, six recoveries, and six duels won, as well as the team's only shot on target and goal for the club.

The Frenchman will be key in the success of the Crown this year, but if he continues to perform this well, he will garner more attention in the summer transfer window; he would be very hard to replace.

Idan Toklomati

Toklomati replaced Agyemang in the 81st minute of the game and provided much-needed energy to the team. If it wasn’t for his 92nd-minute hustle, Charlotte FC would’ve left with 0 points.

When a lot of players would’ve given up in the 92nd minute of the game in which the team looked deflated, Toklomati kept running. After an errant touch by Jackson Ragen, Toklomati took the ball in space, dribbled towards the touchline, and delivered a dangerous cross that Yeimar Gómez kicked into his own goal.

You can teach technical skills, but heart and effort come naturally, and Toklomati showed plenty of it. 

Kristijan Kahlina

Kahlina had a solid performance, his shot-stopping appears to have picked up right where it left off in 2024. He had five saves in total and four in the second half after he conceded Seattle's second goal, to help keep Charlotte in the game.

Without making those four saves Charlotte wouldn't have had the opportunity to steal a point on the road. The Croatian continues to help this club earn points from the goal line. Now, can someone start helping the Crown earn points from the front?

Stock Down

Patrick Agyemang

After an almost perfect offseason, I expected a little bit more from Agyemang in his first game of the season.

Even though the service that Agyemang got from his wingers and midfielders was disappointing, his hold-up play and involvement in the game were below par.

Smith repeated this notion after the match, saying “Patrick has to be better tonight,” and talking about his struggle holding the ball up and keeping possession.

I’ve been watching a lot of Jean-Philippe Mateta recently; he's a player that Agyemang should look to imitate. Mateta’s hold-up play is some of the best in Europe.

Agyemang needs to use his strength to keep possession of the ball and the attack flowing. Agyemang only had nine passes and 22 touches, with two touches in the opponent's box. 

Liel Abada

Abada was a non-factor in the game. You have to expect way more impact out of a Designated Player. 

The Israeli winger had the chance to prove himself in the absence of Wilfried Zaha who was back in the UK for the birth of his child, but fell flat Saturday night.

Only 27 touches, one chance created, and one cross which wasn’t even accurate is far from the performance that is needed from him.

I expect Abada to bounce back with some pressure taken off him against Atlanta if Zaha returns to the lineup.

Tim Ream

Tim Ream is a great player, but being the only starting-caliber left-back on the team is an issue this season that needs to be solved.

The team is still in the market for a left-back and should try to get a deal done soon. 

When playing against a super explosive winger like Georgi Minoungou, Ream does not have the pace and change of direction to keep up.

Multiple times on Saturday Ream was left in the dust with one Minoungou dribble.

Ream is still great on the ball and can play center back at a very high level, but when going against certain wingers he will become an issue as the season keeps going.