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By Sam Vanolinda Pep Biel is making his case for MVP in 2025 (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90) Charlotte secured their first-ever win in Canada with their 1-0 victory against CF Montreal Saturday Night. Was it a pretty performance? No. Did the winless Montreal team dominate possession and create better chances? Yes. Is Charlotte FC currently number two in the East? Yes, and that is what matters. We were all hoping for a more aesthetic picture against the bottom team in the league, but with Charlotte's recent performance away from home, they were happy to scrap one out and secure the three points. “I like 1-0 away from home,” Head Coach Dean Smith said post-game. “It shows loads and loads of character, and the players showed that today.” MVP candidate Pep Biel’s sneaky strike and Kristijan Kahlina’s solid saves were enough to win for the Crown. Here is the stock up/down from Saturday’s game. Stock Up Pep Biel The Spanish Magician Pep Biel continues to put the Charlotte FC team on his back with his performances so far this year. Pep Biel's attacking stats (Courtesy of FBRef) When the rest of the offense has sputtered and struggled, Biel has stood out. He scored his third goal of the season Saturday night, a skillful finish from a tough angle after his initial pass deflected straight back to him. “He was the architect of a lot of our forward play…” Smith added after the match. “ I thought he took his goal really well; he played a great ball through for Liel as well… He sees really good forward passes, and he's doing extremely well for us at the moment.” For years, many other Charlotte FC fans and I have been begging for a number 10 to come in and dominate in the middle of the field. The moment the team finds a consistent creator like Biel, they sit at the top of the East; it's no coincidence. The central attacking midfielder is the point guard or quarterback of a soccer team, and with Biel dominating like he is, the team will continue to succeed. Liel Abada I have not been high on Liel Abada so far this year. He seems isolated and lacks energy on the right wing. On Saturday, he moved to the left to replace the injured Wilfried Zaha and looked more lively than he has all year.  He looked like a proper winger, driving forward and running at the defense. He had two shots, two chances created, and his second successful dribble of the year. While his performance wasn’t jaw-dropping, the eye test showed more energy and impact. “He was really bright in the first half,” Smith said. “our wide players probably got taken out of the game a little bit in the second half, but first half he always looked a threat on the break, his position was really good defensively and he had the chance second half as well where the keepers made a good save.” Kristijan Kahlina Kahlina only had two saves, but they were crucial in Charlotte winning in Montreal. The team easily could’ve returned home to Charlotte with their heads down after a 2-1 loss, but Kahlina’s incredible reflexes and ability to use his legs to make saves secured the 1-0 victory.  Kahlina showed why he is the Goalkeeper of the Year. Those were two very hard-to-manage shots that were headed to the corner. Kahlina and his whole defensive line were very disciplined in dealing with Montreal's pressure throughout the second half, so credit them all. Still, Kahlina saved the day when Montreal attackers created enough space to get shots off in the box. Stock Down Souleyman Doumbia Tim Ream had to be replaced in the 68th minute after a collision and ensuing chest pain; he was transported to the hospital. Souleyman Doumbia replaced Ream and had trouble dealing with Ukranian Gennadiy Synchuk. While the Ivorian has been solid since his arrival to the team, his defensive ability was tested today, and he wasn’t great. Doumbia is a better attacking option than Ream, but Ream will always be a better fundamental defender. He is more effective in a low block and dependable on set-piece marking. It will be a situational decision on whether to start Ream or Doumbia. When Charlotte is on the ball more frequently, Doumbia will be the choice; when they sit back and defend, Ream is a must-start. Kerwin Vargas Vargas came close to scoring when he hit the bar in the 74th minute; besides that one chance, he contributed nothing from the right side of the field. Nine passes, zero chances created, and only 28 touches in 86 minutes. Vargas had another chance to make the case for starting at right wing, but Adada outplayed him on Saturday. The Colombian always comes back with a big goal but then fades into a little-talked-about backup. Patrick Agyemang Agyemang’s hold-up play was much improved against Montreal. I did not want to put him on the stock down, but a striker’s job is to score goals. Idan Toklomati continues to impress with his cameos. The longer Agyemang goes without scoring, the more likely we are to see the Toklo-Train start. As I said, Agyemang was not a bad player on Saturday, but his stock is still down until he starts finding the net.

Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90 Goalscorers (All-Competitions) Karol Swiderski - 32 Patrick Agyemang* - 15 Kerwin Vargas* - 12 Daniel R i os - 9 Ben Bender*/Enzo Copetti/Liel Abada* - 8 Assist Leaders (All-Competitions) Karol S widerski - 14 Kamil Jozwiak - 10 Ben Bender*/Ashley Westwood*/Pep Biel* - 8 Most Goals in a Single Game (All-Competitions) Daniel Rios - 4 (vs Philadelphia Union Oct 1, 2022) Karol S widerski* - 2 (vs Chicago Fire October 2, 2024) Karol S widerski* - 2 (vs New England Revolution March 19, 2022) Karol S widerski* - 2 (vs FC Cincinnati March 26, 2022) McKinze Gaines - 2 (at Richmond Kickers May 11, 2022) Yordy Reyna - 2 (at Inter Miami July 16, 2022) Karol S widerski* - 2 (at Chicago Fire Sep 17, 2022) Enzo Copetti - 2 (vs NYCFC May 6, 2023) Justin Meram - 2 (at Atlanta United May 13, 2023) Brandon Cambridge - 2 (vs Chicago Fire May 17, 2023) Ben Bender - 2 (at NYRB June 21, 2023) Karol S widerski* - 2 (vs FC Cincinnati July 8, 2023) Karol S widerski* - 2 (vs Toronto FC Oct 4, 2023) Liel Abada* - 2 (at Atlanta United June 2, 2024) Patrick Agyemang* - 2 (at Philadelphia Union June 22, 2024) Longest Win Streak (All-Competitions) 4 - May 6-May 17, 2023; vs NYCFC, vs Orlando, at Atlanta, vs Chicago 3 - Sep 10-Oct 1, 2022; vs NYCFC, at Chicago, vs Philadelphia 3 - May 4-May 15, 2024; vs Portland, vs Nashville, at Chicago 3 - Oct 2-Oct 19, 2024; vs Chicago, vs Montreal, at DC Longest Unbeaten Streak (All-Competitions) 5 - May 4-May 25, 2024; vs Portland (W), vs Nashville (W), at Chicago (W), vs LAG (D), vs Philadelphia (D) 5 - June 10-July 8, 2023; vs Seattle (D), at NYRB (D), vs Montreal (D), at NYCFC (D), vs Cincinnati (D) 5 - Aug 26-Sep 20, 2023; vs LAFC (W), vs Orlando (D), at Nashville (D), vs DC (D), vs Philadelphia (D) 5 - Sep 21-Oct 19, 2024; vs New England (W), at Miami (D), vs Chicago (W), vs Montreal (W), vs DC (W) 4 - Oct 4-Oct 21, 2023; vs Toronto (W), at Chicago (W), at Miami (D), vs Miami (W) 4 - Sep 10-Oct 5, 2022; vs NYCFC (W), at Chicago (W), vs Philadelphia (W), vs Columbus (D) 4 - May 6-May 17, 2023; vs NYCFC (W), vs Orlando (W), at Atlanta (W), vs Chicago (W) 4 - July 21-Aug 7, 2023; at Dallas (D - won PKs), vs Necaxa (W), vs Cruz Azul (D - won on PKs), at Houston (W) 4 - June 2-June 22, 2024; at Atlanta (W), vs DC (W), vs Orlando (D), at Philadelphia (W) Longest Cleansheet Streak 5 - May 4-May 25, 2024; vs Portland (W), vs Nashville (W), at Chicago (W), vs LAG (D), vs Philadelphia (D) Kristijan Kahlina (right) - Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90 Most Appearances Brandt Bronico* - 116 Kristijan Kahlina* - 111 Kerwin Vargas* - 96 Adilson Malanda*/Nathan Byrne* - 87 Brandt Bronico (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90) The longest streak of games without being shutout (All-Competitions) 8 - Sep 30, 2023-Mar 2, 2024; at New England (L), vs Toronto (W), at Chicago (W), at Miami (D), vs Miami (W), at NYRB (L), vs NYCFC (W), at Vancouver (D) 7 - Mar 18-Apr 25, 2023; at Orlando (W), vs NYRB (D), at Toronto (D), at Salt Lake (L), vs Colorado (D), vs Columbus (W), vs Tormenta (W) 5 - May 6-May 20, 2023; vs NYCFC (W), vs Orlando (W), at Atlanta (W), vs Chicago (W), vs Nashville (L) 5 - May 29-June 22, 2024; at NYRB (L), at Atlanta (W), vs DC (W), vs Orlando (D), at Philadelphia (W) 5 - Sep 21-Oct 19, 2024; vs New England (W), at Miami (D), vs Chicago (W), vs Montreal (W), at DC (W) Best Finish in MLS Supporters' Shield Standings 2024 - 11th on 51 points 2023 - 19th on 43 points 2022 - 19th on 42 points First Win Mar 19, 2022; vs New England (3-1) First Goalscorer in Club History Adam Armour - Mar 13, 2022; at Atlanta United - header from a corner kick First Assist in Club History Ben Bender - Mar 13, 2022; at Atlanta United - a corner kick which led to a headed goal First Clean Sheet in Club History Mar 26, 2022; vs FC Cincinnati - Kristijan Kahlina made five saves Charlotte FC's Record by Month (All-Competitions) October - 7-2-3, 23 points (1.92 PPG) May - 11-2-7, 35 points (1.75 PPG) November - 1-0-1, 3 points (1.50 PPG) July - 6-4-5, 22 points (1.47 PPG) April - 7-3-7, 24 points (1.41 PPG) March - 7-3-8, 24 points (1.33 PPG) August - 5-2-6, 17 points (1.31 PPG) June - 4-5-4, 17 points (1.31 PPG) September - 3-4-5, 13 points (1.08 PPG) February - 1-1-2, 4 points (1 PPG) Historical Record of Official Captains Christian Fuchs - 2022 Ashley Westwood - 2023 Ashley Westwood - 2024 Ashley Westwood - 2025 Ashley Westwood (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90) *Active player or streak

By Brian Maurer Charlotte FC's Academy gets set for the Generation Adidas Cup (Photo courtesy of Charlotte FC) Here is our new column, which will provide regular updates on Charlotte FC's pro player pathway. Lots of exciting movement happens in the academy during the spring half of their season because Crown Legacy FC has started playing and calling academy players up. This opens the door for younger players to get called up to the U18 team to replace the players going up to Crown Legacy. Then, U15s get an opportunity to go up to U16 to replace those players going up to U18. This movement gives us a great opportunity to identify and learn about the exciting prospects that could one day make an impact with Charlotte FC. Crown Legacy FC Crown Legacy's Head Coach Gary Dicker had 10 academy players on the roster sheet for their home opener in March. Six were in the starting eleven, and four more on the bench. Defender Wyatt Holt and Tyger Smalls' brother Magic both made their pro debuts that night. Holt (15) has started in all three of Crown Legacy's games so far this year. This past week, Luke Munson made his pro debut coming on for the second half against the Columbus Crew II. So far, Charlotte FC's academy accounts for two of Crown Legacy's three goals to start the year, and that is with winger Nimfasha Berchimas sidelined with an injury. List of Academy players who have made a Crown Legacy roster in 2025: Brian Romero* - 1 goal Rocket Ritarita - 1 goal Aron John* - 1 assist Jack Neeley* Wyatt Holt - pro debut in 2025 Erik Pena* Magic Smalls - pro debut in 2025 Luke Munson - pro debut in 2025 Isaias Elizalde Adrian Mendoza *- signed to a pro contract Generation Adidas Cup 2025 The U18s and U16s traveled to Bradenton, Florida this week to play in the Generation Adidas Cup . It's one of the major highlights of the Academy season and will feature 18 international academy clubs. 40 teams will feature in each age group (29 MLS academy teams, nine international academy teams, and two MLS NEXT Elite academy teams). The MLS NEXT Elite academies qualified during MLS NEXT Fest in December. The 40 teams at each age level will be split into 10 groups of four, and the winner of each group will advance to the knockout round. The next six best point totals will also qualify for the round of 16. There will also be a consolation knockout tournament that will feature the best 16 teams in the group stages that did not qualify for the Championship knockout rounds. Both Charlotte FC academy teams are bringing competitive squads that are almost all "on-age". Nico Texeira (16) will be the only player playing up a level with the U18s, and Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz (15) is the only player playing up a level for the U16s. Charlotte FC's U18 Group and Schedule Charlotte's U18s are in Group C and will play against Panamanian side CA Independiente de la Chorrera, Austin FC, and LA Galaxy. Saturday, Apr 12, 2:30 PM ET - vs CA Independiente Sunday, Apr 13, 2:30 PM ET - vs Austin FC Monday, Apr 14, 2:00 PM ET - vs LA Galaxy Charlotte FC's U16 Group and Schedule Charlotte's U16s are in Group C and will play against Belgian side KRC Genk, Seattle Sounders, and FC Cincinnati. Saturday, Apr 12, 10:00 AM ET - vs KRC Genk Sunday, Apr 13, 10:00 AM ET - vs FC Cincinnati Monday, Apr 14, 9:00 AM ET - vs Seattle Sounders Alexander-Munoz gets national recognition Charlotte FC's Alexander-Munoz has been called up to the U15 USYNT twice this year, and he was added to the 2025 Generation Adidas Cup Rising XI . The young defender is definitely one to keep an eye on as he gets an opportunity to play up with the U16s this week in Florida.