Where might we see changes in Charlotte FC's roster this offseason?
By Brian Maurer
Photo Courtesy of CJ Hellner
Now that the season is over, Charlotte FC's offseason begins. The first step is roster decisions, which will likely be happening soon. Here is a look at the club's depth chart with each player's contract situation, position breakdowns, and roster decision predictions:
Current depth chart
*This is not an official depth chart*
Left-wing
Liel Abada - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Kerwin Vargas - signed through 2027 with a 2028 option
Iuri Tavares - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Nimfasha Berchimas - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Left-wing looks like the most locked-up position at the moment. Liel Abada is signed till 2026 at minimum, and all the depth pieces behind him also have long-term deals. Don't expect any changes here unless Abada is switched back to the right.
Striker
Karol Swiderski - signed through 2025 with a 2026 option
Patrick Agyemang - club options for 2025 and 2026
Idan Toklomati - signed through 2027 with a 2028 option
Striker will be one of the most discussed positions this offseason because they have two strikers who need regular minutes. Karol Swiderski has a deal through 2025 and Patrick Agyemang is out of contract but has club options. Seems like a spot where one might go and a veteran comes in as short-term help.
Right-wing
Pep Biel - out of contract with a permanent transfer option through 2026, additional option for 2027
Tyger Smalls - club options for 2025, 2026, and 2027
Brandon Cambridge - club options 2025 and 2026
Right-wing could see changes if Pep Biel isn't signed to a permanent deal. Even if Biel is given a contract, winger isn't his natural position, although he did have his best performances out on the right. Regardless of the Spanish midfielder's situation, a new Designated Player winger could be a direction the club decides to take.
Midfield
Brandt Bronico - signed through 2025 with a 2026 option
Djibril Diani - signed through 2025 with a 2026 option
Ashley Westwood - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Nikola Petkovic - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Ben Bender - signed through 2025
Junior Urso - club option for 2025
Jamie Paterson - club option for 2025
Brian Romero - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Midfield should also see some turnover. Junior Urso is likely gone as his contract is expiring and he is 35 years old. There will be other options available this winter to fill his senior roster spot. Jamie Paterson could also be gone, but he is a Dean Smith signing. Ben Bender's situation is also worth monitoring, and Brian Romero will likely be loaned back to Crown Legacy FC again.
Left-back
Tim Ream - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Jere Uronen - signed through 2025 with a 2026 option
Joao Pedro - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Jahlane Forbes - club options for 2025, 2026 and 2027
Left-back will also likely see no changes. The only difference is whether Tim Ream gets put back into a center-back role or not. Charlotte FC went from having no starting-caliber LBs in the summer of 2023 to having three capable options going into 2025.
Center-back
Andrew Privett - signed through 2028 with a 2029 option
Adilson Malanda - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Tim Ream - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Bill Tuiloma - signed through 2025 with a 2026 option
Jack Neeley - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Hamady Diop - club options for 2025 and 2026
Center-back will be another position to monitor with some turnover. Bill Tuiloma is 29 and will likely be looking for a team where he can earn more minutes. The big question will be can Charlotte hold off if an offer comes in for Adilson Malanda? Having Tim Ream and Andrew Privett helps just in case a Malanda offer is too big to refuse.
Right-back
Nathan Byrne - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
Jaylin Lindsey - club option for 2025
Nick Scardina - club options for 2025 and 2026
Right-back could have some turnover. With Nathan Byrne locked into a new deal it signifies he's the longer-term option. Jaylin Lindsey didn't compete for many minutes and is on a senior roster contract which means there is a good chance he doesn't get his option picked up. Watch out for Nick Scardina, he could get a look in 2025 after playing the previous two years with Crown Legacy FC.
Goalkeeper
Kristijan Kahlina - signed through 2026 with a 2027 option
David Bingham - signed through 2025
Chituru Odunze - signed through 2027 with a 2028 option
Nick Holliday - signed through at least 2025 (has first team deal not sure on the duration)
George Marks - club option for 2025
Goalkeeper is locked in with Kristijan Kahlina long term. George Marks will probably not have his option picked up. There are too many other goalkeepers on the roster. Nick Holliday played at Crown Legacy FC but has a First Team deal in his contract next season bringing the GK room to five if Marks were to stay.
Summary and predictions
Including players who are on options, Charlotte FC has 35 First Team players with 21 Senior Roster players. They will need to get those numbers down to 31 (30 plus the extra supplemental roster spot) with 20 Senior Roster players signed.
Early roster predictions
Urso, Diop, Lindsey, Marks, and Biel all have their options declined.
Forbes, Cambridge, Smalls, Scardina, Paterson, and Agyemang get their options picked up or get a new deal.
This would bring the roster down to 30 total with 18 seniors and one open DP slot.
