Charlotte FC vs San Jose Earthquakes: 1 v 1 battles to watch
By Brian Maurer
Charlotte FC is unbeaten in their last six matches at Bank of America Stadium. The Crown hasn't allowed a goal at home since October 2 of last year keeping four straight clean sheets in that time. This strong form at the Bank needs to continue if the club is going to reach its target of being a top-four team in the Eastern Conference.
Next up Charlotte hosts the defending Wooden Spoon winners as they aim to build off recent home successes and continue stacking points. The Crown's starting eleven will see some rotation as multiple players are away on international duty, making the 1 v 1 battles within the match all that more important as this game is chock-full of players needing to be the next man up.
Charlotte FC's left-back replacement vs Cristian Espinoza
Charlotte FC will be without Tim Ream for this match so there will be some sort of rotation to cover the left-back role. Either Nathan Byrne will need to rotate over or a bench option like Nick Scardina will need to slot in. Whichever option Dean Smith opts to go with they have a tricky assignment as Cristian Espinoza has been San Jose's most creative player for years now.
Last season Espinoza finished with 12 assists even though the club only managed 21 points en route to last place in MLS. Reducing the Argentine's impact will be the key for Charlotte controlling the outcome of the game.
Idan Toklomati vs Bruno Wilson and Dave Romney
Idan Toklomati seems primed to make his starting debut for Charlotte FC this weekend with Patrick Agyemang called up for his second USMNT camp. It's a great moment for him as it will be in front of the hometown crowd and against a defense that is trying to improve from a historically bad 2024.
The Israeli attacker should feel confident that he can make an impact against the pairing of Wilson and Romney. There is also the chance that Bruce Arena opts to play a back three and bring Rodrigues in as well. No matter how this backline sets up Toklomati should be capable of making an impression. If he can find a way to be the outlet for Wilfried Zaha when he is double-teamed and help connect the offense on the lefthand side he could pose himself as a serious threat to Agyemang's minutes.
Kerwin Vargas vs Jamar Ricketts
Kerwin Vargas looks to be in line for another start this weekend as Liel Abada was also called up for international duty. He will be up against left-back Jamar Ricketts who was selected in the 2024 SuperDraft one pick ahead of Charlotte's Tyger Smalls. Ricketts is a young prospect with limited experience so Vargas should see this as an opportunity to take advantage and impose himself on the game.
Zaha, Abada, and Pep Biel will be the keys to unlocking the Crown's attack this season, but in a game with some rotational pieces in the attack Vargas will need to step up as one of the more experienced depth options available.
Summary
This game will be about the wing play, especially on Espinoza and Zaha's side of the field. Charlotte FC has three starters away on international duty so it will also be key for their replacements to fill in for a full shift and help support Zaha as he looks to break free from the double and triple-team pressure he has been facing the last few weeks.
This will also be a good opportunity for players like Toklomati and Vargas to show that they have built up some chemistry with Biel in training as the Spaniard will be looking to hit them with through balls in behind as he did last week on Agyemang's goal.
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