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By Andrew Crowell Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90 In European leagues such as the Premier League in England and the Bundesliga in Germany, goal-line technology determines whether the ball crosses the goal line. So why not MLS? "One thing I believe, if we want to become a better league and be looked upon as one of the big leagues, one thing we have to improve on is to have goal-line technology...for me, there's no gray area," said Charlotte FC's Dean Smith in a recent press conference. While Smith declares that there is no gray area, the technology is still relatively new, and it has glitched in the past to Smith's benefit . While Smith was coaching Aston Villa, Sheffield United appeared to have scored a goal against them but the goal was never counted because of a glitch in the goal-line technology. The unfortunate answer is the cost compared to how often the technology is used. MLS Commissioner Don Garber declared in 2013 that MLS would not invest in goal-line technology since it is only relevant in certain moments . "Our view has been that we're going to wait and see how it works out. We certainly don't need to be the first league that has it," Garber said at the time. According to top referee Jan Wegereef, there were five situations in the 2014/15 Eredivisie season where there was doubt about a goal or no goal. Based on this data, clubs need the technology in their stadium around once every 60 games. That does not factor in that the likelihood of the situation being a match-deciding goal is 30%, or that there is a good chance the match-deciding goal is in a less relevant situation (e.g., when seeds 10 and 11 face each other). The way MLS seasons and their playoffs are structured there are more relevant situations as lower-seeded teams can still have more important matches more often because of the number of teams that qualify for the playoffs. But, the structure also allows for each specific situation to be valued less because of how often and how short a winning streak is required to have a chance to qualify for a playoff spot and to climb the table. How does goal-line technology work exactly? In soccer stadiums and arenas around the world, there are cameras installed to focus on the goal line to assist in rendering a 3-D image that shows whether the ball has crossed the line or not. If the ball crosses the line, the referees are signaled on their watches so they can make a quick call on the field signaling a goal versus no goal. This technology has been around for over ten years at this point, as it was first implemented in 2014. The Premier League made the change almost immediately in 2014, and cost around $300,000 to install the technology in each of the league’s stadiums. The cost per game would run at about $3,900, which would cost around $2 million per year for every club in MLS to have the technology. In 2023, MLS brought in an aggregate $2.03 billion in revenue. Averaging around $70 million per franchise at the time. This means that the roughly $9 million that it would cost to install goal-line technology in MLS stadiums represents only a portion of the revenue MLS brings in during a single fiscal year, as the league's revenue streams have increased since then.  MLS is growing rapidly, especially with the arrival of more world-renowned players such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Many decisions will need to be discussed and actions taken during this time. Goal-line technology is one that many coaches, pundits, and fans in MLS will bang on the drum for as the league continues to expand its reach.

By Andrew Crowell Photo courtesy of Charlotte FC A midfield reinforcement has arrived this transfer window in the form of American midfielder Eryk Williamson. The 27-year-old center midfielder comes to Charlotte from the Portland Timbers, where he has spent the last seven seasons. Before his tenure with the Timbers, he was a member of the D.C. United Youth Academy, following two seasons with the University of Maryland. As far as Williamson’s injury history goes, he has avoided chronic injury over the years. Unfortunately, he has dealt with two ACL tears in the past four campaigns.  The first ACL injury came in August of 2021 when the Timbers took on the Seattle Sounders. Williamson went down before being treated by the physio staff. After several minutes, Williamson was stretchered off and tests later revealed a left ACL tear. He missed 34 games but worked his way back to return in the 2022 season. The second ACL injury occurred in April of 2023. The midfielder played for 90 minutes against FC Dallas before feeling swelling and discomfort. Upon evaluation by the team's medical staff when they returned to Portland, they sent him for more scans that revealed the tear. He ended up missing 41 games during this second severe injury stint. It is not uncommon for athletes to injure the opposite knee upon return from injury of the other knee. Professional athletes are often rushed back as soon as possible to get back on the field which sometimes can result in a second injury. This is not the case for Williamson though, as his injury occurred around 20 months after the initial one. However, research suggests that athletes are at risk of an opposite knee injury for 1-4 years after an ACL reconstruction. The mental side of an ACL recovery is often the toughest part, as the player attempts to trust in the same movements they did so easily before the injury. Williamson worked his way back not once but twice from an ACL injury, a mentality that can’t be taught. He is sure to be a hard worker on the pitch, which will also influence his teammates in the locker room.  The US international played in the majority of games last season (32 appearances in all competitions), but struggled to earn starts (12 starts in all comp.). His need for more time in the recovery process could be a reason for the limited minutes. This means he could make significant progress in 2025. Williamson will be a great balanced midfielder to add to Charlotte’s squad and will surely fight for a starting spot in the team as long as he can stay healthy. Team captain and fellow midfielder, Ashley Westwood, fought his way back from a devastating injury to be the leader of Charlotte FC on and off the pitch. If Williamson embodies some of that same grit, he will find regular minutes in Charlotte and will be a bargain of a transfer. Disclaimer: None of my work should be taken as medical advice. All opinions are my own.

By Brian Maurer and Jorge Gonzales Photo Courtesy of CJ Hellner According to sources close to the situation, Charlotte FC is transferring striker Karol Świderski to Greek side Panathinaikos with a fee over 2 million. The Polish international has left the Miami training camp and will head to Europe to finalize his move. Negotiations between Charlotte FC and the Greek side began last week, with their first official bid being rejected. When previously asked about Karol Świderski’s situation, General Manager Zoran Krneta stated, "We have received bids, and we have turned them down because they do not match our evaluation." Those negotiations have advanced, and a deal has been agreed upon. His departure opens up a Designated Player spot for the Crown following their loan deal for winger Wilfried Zaha. Swiderski is Charlotte FC's all-time leading goal scorer (32) and assists leader (14) in all competitions. He is also in the top five for appearances in all competitions (85) in the Crown's three-year history. The Polish international has had a strained couple of years for Charlotte since 2023, when he told Polish reporters that he was interested in returning to Europe. He started 2024 on a loan spell with Italian club Hellas Verona and then returned to the Carolinas in the summer, helping the club clinch fifth place in the Eastern Conference. This move puts Swiderski in a familiar league during his prime. He spent four seasons in the Greek Super League with PAOK Thessaloniki FC before moving to Charlotte. It will also increase the pressure on young prospect Patrick Agyemang, who will now seek to claim the full-time starting striker role at Charlotte FC.

By Sam Vanolinda Photo courtesy of Taylor Banner/Charlotte FC *Quotes lightly edited for clarity* Wilfried Zaha is officially a Charlotte FC player. The Crown’s new star is training with the club and pending a visa should be ready to go at the start of the 2025 season. His contract is a loan deal from Turkish club Galatasaray for the 2025 season with an option to continue through the summer of 2026. “The opportunity arose,” Zaha said when asked about ending up with Charlotte FC. “I just thought, why not? Those conversations started to speed up, and here I am.” Zaha mentioned he had conversations with Dean Smith after playing against him many times, who he called “Very down to Earth,” as well as his former teammate and 2024 MLS Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke, who said the league was competitive and the life was enjoyable. Zaha had an incredible run with Crystal Palace, but his move to Turkey and time in France were not as smooth as he may have expected. With that being said, he is ready to get back to his best in Charlotte. “I’m very motivated; I just need to get back on the pitch,” Zaha said, “I know what I can do because the reality is I don’t look elsewhere for confidence; I look for confidence in myself. I’ve gone through a difficult period, but those things have helped me become who I am now… Once I get the opportunity to get back on the field I want to show what I can do to everyone.” Photo courtesy of Taylor Banner/Charlotte FC Zaha mentioned how much love and support he had in South London with Crystal Palace and how quickly things could change with other clubs. “I’ve gone from having a mural at Crystal Palace to not playing at all in [Galatasaray], and then not playing in Lyon… I don’t let it break me mentally because I know the player I am. The love I’ve had from me being here for a couple of days from the players and staff, it makes me feel like this is a better journey for me.” When he does get onto that field, ideally on opening day in Seattle, expect to see Zaha on the left.  “I am a left-winger; that is the mindset; that’s where Dean sees me playing, that’s where I’m best, that’s the plan really,” states the star attacker. Smith mentioned over the offseason about needing a player who is a difference maker, especially for a lower-possession, defensive-minded team like Charlotte FC. Zaha had this to say when asked about his potential in that role: “From him seeing me play at Palace, it takes one break to score a goal, and that changes the whole game; I’ve done that numerous times playing against teams where you’re defensive and you’re compact, and then you manage to break away, counter attack, and score, those are things we spoke about and those are things I can do, so I hope I can be that missing piece.” Photo courtesy of Taylor Banner/Charlotte FC Playing with a very defensive team, Crystal Palace, for all those years, Zaha developed into one of the best counter-attacking players in the Premier League, so seeing him in that role will be exciting for Charlotte fans. Many may be questioning how long Zaha may stay at Charlotte FC, considering he was signed on an 18-month loan; the Ivory Coast international had this to say about coming back and potentially staying longer: “Yeah, definitely, the plan wasn’t to hop from different cities like I have; I like to be in one place, especially for my kids… Hopefully, it goes well, and I don’t see a reason why it can't go longer.” Photo courtesy of Taylor Banner/Charlotte FC General Manager Zoran Krneta expressed excitement about Zaha’s attitude, personality, and talent, and thinks he can be a real difference maker to improve the outcomes of Charlotte’s 2025 season. “All he cares about is to play,” Krneta said, “and he’s now hungry, more hungry than I've ever seen any other players coming to Charlotte.” The deal was different from usual because of the level of player that Zaha is and the situation he was in: “In my 20-something years in professional soccer, this is probably one of the most difficult negotiations I have done. It was a complex deal,” said Krneta. Krneta went on to talk about how the negotiations started three months ago. First, they had to convince Zaha that Charlotte was a good move for him, then Charlotte's GM had to negotiate with the two clubs Zaha was under contract with, Lyon and Galatasaray, and finally, the aforementioned clubs had to agree to cancel the contract between each other, so the winger could be loaned to the Crown. Until Zaha landed in the Carolinas, Krneta wasn’t sure he was going to pull it off. Wilfried Zaha and Zoran Krneta (Photo courtesy of Taylor Banner/Charlotte FC) With that said, Zaha is now dawning the black and blue, and Krneta is overjoyed about the type of player the team has signed. As mentioned earlier, Smith was looking for a difference maker, and Krneta thinks they have found one in Zaha: “We just needed a difference maker.” Krneta said,  “We needed as Dean would call ‘Gold Dust’, someone who makes something out of nothing.” Krneta added that the team already had good technique with Liel Abada and Kerwin Vargas, but Zaha offers a different type of winger: physicality, pace, and power. With the addition of a star player, the expectations for the team begin to expand, and Krneta wants to aim for silverware with the firepower they have added: “The next level is the trophies, I think we are ready now to go for the trophies…Leagues Cup, US Open Cup, Supporters’ Shield, MLS Cup, and potentially Champions Cup once we get into that competition…So potentially five trophies over the next two years that we are trying to win, and we’ll start this year.”

Sam Vanolinda Wilfried Zaha (Photo courtesy of the Premier League) With Wilfried Zaha reportedly on his way to the Queen City, I can't think of a player I am more qualified to analyze than the pride of South London himself. Half of my family is from Croydon and supports Crystal Palace, so I have watched as many Palace games as possible since 2016. This means I have watched hours and hours of Wilfried Zaha terrorizing Premier League fullbacks and scoring massive goals for the Eagles. I even named my cat after the guy. While his move to Galatasaray and time playing for Olympic Lyon hasn’t been ideal, I'm sure Zaha could return to his talisman ways in the right environment. Zaha is an attacker who can completely carry a team on his back when playing with confidence. Even in the years when Crystal Palace wasn’t able to surround the Ivory Coast International with high-quality players, he still managed to keep the team in the Premier League. Let's take a look at what he could bring to Charlotte FC: Strengths Between the 2016/17 and 2022/23 seasons, Zaha contributed 87 goal contributions (62g/25a) in the best league in the world. During his time with Galatasaray, he won the league with 12 goal contributions (9g/3a) in one season and even scored against Manchester United in the Champions League. He is still only 32 years old, but he has an incredible resume of contributions against some of the best players and teams in the world.   With that said, his basic stats do not even come close to telling the entire story of this winger. Let’s look at his 2018-19 season premier league scouting report. This is a season in which he completely carried his team. 98th percentile in progressive carries. Palace’s entire game plan was to get him the ball in transition, let him glide past one, two, or even three players on the wing, and create chances for Christian Benteke. Opponents would double-team him and try to pin him down on the wing, but his dribbling ability would leave them feeling helpless. When he wasn’t creating chances, he was cutting in onto his right foot and scoring goals.  This is the top 5-10% in most dribbling stats in a time when Eden Hazard, Mo Salah, Heung-min Son, Riyad Mahrez, and Bernardo Silva, to name a few, were his competition. Zaha was second in the League for most dribbles, only four less than Hazard. He was going toe-to-toe with prime Hazard when it came to taking on defenders and creating opportunities.  Here are four minutes of him destroying defenders: When Zaha is the team's focal point, he can dominate. With Charlotte FC against MLS defenders, Zaha can go back to his domination like he did for years in the Premier League. In Zaha’s last premier league season with Palace, he transitioned into more of a forward rather than a typical winger, with 2.52 shots per game, which was in the 84th percentile.  Depending on the situation, I see him being used in either a creative or goalscoring role in Charlotte. Dean Smith has said they are looking for a creative player or "goal-grabber", and Zaha would fill that gap. He could also be one of the team's top scorers. Crystal Palace put together a video of every goal he scored for the club: As you can see, he is a player with a respectable right foot but can also switch to his left when needed. He is also a very solid penalty taker; he could easily take over that role. Zaha also demands attention from defenses when he is on the field. In his last season at Palace, he helped Ebere Eze develop because teams still had to focus on locking down Zaha, which gave Eze space and freedom to show his natural talent. The attention he would garner in MLS would allow other players on Charlotte FC to shine, and more space would be provided for players like Liel Abada and Patrick Agyemang. In addition, Zaha would offer experience and knowledge to the young prospects developing on the roster. Drawbacks Zaha is one of the most passionate football players I have ever watched. However, as a superstar player playing under Roy Hodgson, he sometimes experienced frustrating results and moments. The star winger is not afraid to show his emotions on the field; sometimes, those emotions affect his play. He can become frustrated if things don't go his way in a game.   That emotion can sometimes improve his performance, but occasionally, it can get into his head and take him out of the game. He may need to shake off some rust. His time with Olympic Lyon has not gone well, and he has only played in four matches this year. It could take him a few games to get back into the swing of starting every week. Summary I have watched hundreds of Zaha games and seen a few live at Selhurst Park, and he is my favorite player for a reason.  He was unstoppable in his prime and made an otherwise lackluster Crystal Palace team watchable. While he may not be at that level anymore, he is only 32. He has plenty left in the tank, and I am willing to bet he would be highly successful in MLS. Zaha would give Charlotte a true star player to rally around. Carolina fans should be excited to see a sea of Zaha kits outside Bank of America Stadium if this deal can get across the line, all indications are that it's close.

By Ryan Donahue Javier Mascherano takes over as Inter Miami head coach in 2025 (Photo courtesy of Major League Soccer) As the 2025 season approaches and teams return for preseason camp, players prepare for their head coach's tactical adjustments as they work through training sessions. Seven of the 15 teams in the Eastern Conference will be learning under a head coach in their first preseason in charge. Our team, ahead of the upcoming season, took a look at the clubs making those changes and how quickly they may be able to adapt. Tata Martino → Javier Mascherano - Inter Miami   Picture above When Inter Miami announced its decision to part ways with Tata Martino, fans of MLS were left scratching their heads at who the ownership would choose to appoint to replace him. Martino who famously led Atlanta United to its first MLS Cup Championship has been one of the most sought-after coaches in the league, and when Martino joined Inter Miami last year, it felt like the best appointment for the club to get the most out of its new superstars. However, after failing to go the distance in the postseason, Martino parted ways with the club and shortly after, Javier Mascherano was named his successor. Mascherano joins as a former legend with the Argentine national team and FC Barcelona. Before joining Miami, Mascherano worked as the head coach for Argentina’s U-20 national team.  The obvious question with Mascherano’s appointment is how he will mesh with a roster of high-profile international Barcelona superstars including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. The club’s managing owner Jorge Mas stated on Mascherano’s appointment that the club feels he will bring the right mixture of experience from both his playing career and his time with the under 20’s to manage the club’s superstar profile while also being able to bring through its budding prospects and develop them in MLS. Co-owner David Beckham also recognized Mascherano’s appointment saying that he brings a relentless determination and has the knowledge, instincts, and understanding to back it up. Mascherano had also played alongside Messi, Suarez, Busquets, and Alba during his playing career with Barcelona which could be a positive for helping get the big-name players bought in with his tactics and philosophy from the start. A lot of money has been spent in Inter Miami over the past few seasons and with Messi entering the second full season with the club ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Mascherano will have to work efficiently to ensure positivity both inside the dressing room and among the fanbase remain strong if he hopes to find success. Top of the Eastern Conference will continue to be the expectation for Miami fans again this year. John Herdman - Toronto FC   (Appointed August 2023) → Robin Fraser Robin Fraser (Photo courtesy of Toronto FC) After being appointed ahead of the 2024 season, John Herdman resigned from his role as head coach of Toronto FC after the season marking him as having spent only a year in charge. Toronto FC had a disappointing season that saw the club finish eleventh in the Eastern Conference picking up only 37 points across the campaign. While Herdman’s background as the Canadian Men’s National Team coach made him an obvious candidate to take Toronto forward, his side struggled to find wins both at home and on the road, inevitably leading to the change. Herdman was also in the middle of a scandal  from his time with the Canadian Men’s National Team which also likely played a role in leaving. On January 10, Robin Fraser  was announced as the man to take Toronto FC forward. Fraser joins Toronto off the back of a successful stint with the Colorado Rapids from 2019 to 2023. During his time with the Rapids, Fraser led them to a 2021 season in which the club secured 61 points and finished first in the Western Conference for the first time in club history. He was also an assistant coach with Toronto before accepting the head coaching job in Colorado. He is stepping into a difficult situation in Toronto which has a lot of money tied into Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi limiting their ability to make changes necessary to drastically alter the roster. Fraser may not be able to get Toronto pushed to far up the table in his inaugural season with the club. Nick Cushing - New York City FC  (Appointed June 2022) → Pascal Jansen Pascal Jansen (Photo courtesy of NYCFC) Nick Cushing was released from his role as head coach with New York City FC after joining the club as interim and then head coach in 2022. Cushing helped lead the NYCFC to the semi-finals in this year’s Audi MLS Cup Playoffs before getting eliminated by New York Red Bulls. Sporting Director David Lee acknowledged Cushing’s contributions to NYCFC but stated the club’s desire to move in a new direction ahead of 2025. On January 6, the club announced that Pascal Jansen  would take over as head coach for the first team heading into the 2025 season. Jansen, who was born in London, brings a wide array of European experience managing in both Hungary and the Netherlands including UEFA Champions and Europa League matches. Before joining NYCFC, Jansen was the manager of Ferencvárosi TC where he finished second across 16 league matches. Jansen also coached at AZ Alkmaar where he retained a 58% win percentage. Executives at the club feel that Jansen is the right coach to take a crop of talented young players to the next level and feel that an experienced European profile would fit well with the club’s larger philosophy.  The expectations for NYCFC and Jansen will be that they make the playoffs again and likely push higher up the table due to the amount of talent on the roster. Jim Curtin -   Philadelphia Union  (Appointed June 2014) → Bradley Carnell Bradley Carnell (Photo courtesy of Major League Soccer) One club with a major shakeup during this past season is the Philadelphia Union’s Jim Curtin departing the club. Curtin, who notably worked his way through the ranks of the Union has been in the role since 2014 making him one of the longest-tenured head coaches and a focal identity of the Union. The decision to release Curtin came on the back of a long run of disappointing results and feeling that the club had become misaligned with its core principles. Further, the upper executives at Philadelphia believed that despite the club’s reputation for youth development, Curtin at times placed too much reliance on experienced regulars.  On January 2, Bradley Carnell  was appointed as the Union’s new coach for the 2025 season. Carnell is a South African native who led St. Louis CITY SC to the 2023 Western Conference championship. Sporting Director Ernst Tanner for the Union feels that Carnell will have the right qualities to realign the club with its identity. Carnell likes to play a high-press play style with structured defending. Carnell also comes with an appreciation for playing and bringing through youth players which is a core piece of what the Union board is looking for.  It is difficult to say how high or how quickly Philadelphia can get in the Eastern Conference, they are making a lot of changes but core key players are still in the mix. Gonzalo Pineda - Atlanta United  (Appointed August 2021) → Ronny Deila Ronny Deila (Photo courtesy of Atlanta United) Gonzalo Pineda was appointed as the man to restore the good fortunes of Atlanta United which were once established by Inter Miami’s now-former manager Tata Martino  back to the club. Pineda, while finding some positive results throughout his tenure, was confirmed to part ways with the club in June of the regular season. Pineda’s termination came off the back of a long run of underwhelming results leading the club ownership to make a change. The club appointed interim coach Rob Valentino till the end of the season in which Atlanta moved from 13th to 9th in the Eastern Conference.  Ronny Deila  was the final pick to join Atlanta with a proven track record for winning after securing six total trophies including four league titles and two domestic cups. Deila also comes with success in MLS winning the 2021 MLS Cup with NYCFC. Immediately before joining Atlanta United, Deila was coaching in the United Arab Emirates Pro League with Al-Wahda but also had stints with large European names including Club Brugge and Celtic FC where he picked up additional honors. With the amount of money being spent on players and the level of the roster on paper, plus the momentum that was built during their playoff run in 2024, the expectations for Deila to find immediate success with Atlanta will be high. B.J. Callaghan  - Nashville SC (Appointed in July 2024) B.J. Callaghan (Photo courtesy of Major League Soccer) Other Eastern Conference notable changes include Nashville SC who appointed interim US Men’s National Team coach B.J. Callaghan as head coach in mid-summer. Nashville SC, while most fans were excited by the appointment of Callaghan, was less impressed with the quality on the pitch as the side finished third from the bottom of the conference in regular season play. While results did not improve under Callaghan’s tenure, after a winter transfer window and a full preseason executives will be able to better assess whether the club is heading in the right direction. Nashville SC is another club that is currently difficult to predict as they have talented players but the amount of formation and structural change that Callaghan’s style will bring could delay the team from finding immediate success in 2025. Gregg Berhalter -  Chicago Fire FC  (Appointed in October 2024) Gregg Berhalter (Photo courtesy of Major League Soccer) In October, Chicago Fire FC announced the appointment of former US Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter as the club's upcoming sporting director and head coach ahead of next season. Berhalter, who has been tasked with bringing a competitive culture to the club and building on the groundwork already established, comes with a big reputation after his time with the US Men’s National Team. Before his tenure with US Soccer, Berhalter worked as the head coach at the Columbus Crew SC. With the Crew, Berhalter implemented both an attractive and effective style of play that solidified Columbus as one of the top organizations in MLS. Despite failing to get Columbus over the line, Berhalter led his side across five seasons with a winning record of 67-58-45 and four out of five playoff berths. Of those visits, Berhalters side made it to the Eastern Conference final twice and the MLS Cup runners-up in 2015. If Berhalter can replicate his success in Columbus, there could be a new powerhouse in the East to watch out for. Final thoughts While the head coach carousel is constantly moving, Charlotte FC fans should feel positive that after several early shake-ups in the head coach position, having Dean Smith back at the helm should continue to provide stability and a clear path forward as the 2025 season approaches.  There has also been an influx of talented coaches that have been added across the East so while Smith has provided stability through his first season, it will be important for him to show that the club can evolve and continue to progress in 2025 as there are many teams in the East with new coaches and high ambitions that will be gunning for Charlotte’s place in the table.

By Ryan Donahue Photo Courtesy of Area Sports Network On January 6, the USMNT announced  its winter January roster which will feature in fixtures against Venezuela and Costa Rica happening in Florida. Mauricio Pochettino’s roster is deep in MLS experience with no current European league players expected to report to camp. The window will allow Pochettino to work with a fresh group of players and identify some prospects from US Soccer’s domestic league. Ahead of the US fixture against Venezuela, our team examined players to watch throughout the next two games. Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna is the most likely of any younger MLS prospects selected for this window who could jump to more regular competitive USMNT call-ups. The young attacking midfielder is coming off a career-best season with RSL with 16 GCs (8g/8a) in MLS play. Luna has a competitive edginess to him which if harnessed correctly by Pochettino could be an asset to the USMNT in years to come. The most recent example of this was when he got snubbed from a call-up to the 2024 US Olympic team. After hearing the news he was not on the Olympic roster, Luna declined the alternate spot that the US squad asked him to take and then returned to Salt Lake where he proceeded to put up four goal contributions (1g/3a) in a 5-2 victory over Atlanta United. Luna’s personality and style are different from many of the other players currently in the USMNT player pool. If Pochettino can figure out a way to let him express himself on the field he could be unleashing a very special player for the US for many years to come. Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC) Charlotte FC’s homegrown Patrick Agyemang received his first international call-up to the national team. The 6’4” goalscorer for Charlotte capped off a very competitive first full season in MLS with 13 goal contributions (10g/3a) across 34 appearances. Agyemang’s most notable strength is his ability to take players on 1v1. He is also able to hold up play and win 50-50 balls. As the season progressed his distribution to teammates during attacking build-ups improved adding more layers to his game. His size, strength, speed, and relentless drive to push forward made him a handful for defenders throughout 2024. With Jesus Ferreira departing  for his new club the Seattle Sounders the door for significant minutes during this camp is opening for the young Charlotte FC striker. Agyemang brings a significantly different profile to the front line than any of the forwards selected. A bit of individual brilliance and tenacity can often decide whether a team wins or loses in international competitions and Agyemang’s strengths give Pochettino an option to find some of that either off the bench or from the start. Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman (Charlotte FC & Nashville SC) ‘ Charlotte FC and Nashville SC’s battle of the man bun’s US soccer partnership could be re-established with Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman reporting into camp. In the 2022 World Cup, Ream was a late addition to the World Cup roster but after consistently strong displays with Fulham, Ream ended up coming into camp and partnering with Zimmerman. While Ream has continued to feature consistently throughout camps, Zimmerman has received fewer call-ups due to injury and selection however with the second most senior call-ups it would be a surprise not to see him start at least one of the matches alongside Ream. Miles Robinson also received a call into camp and was originally the partner to Zimmerman until an achilles injury ended his 2022 World Cup dreams. Robinson who has performed regularly for FC Cincinnati this season and is comfortable in both the back two and back three could partner either Ream or Zimmerman or potentially line up alongside both if Pochettino opts for an altered formation or uses Ream at left-back. During Charlotte FC Head Coach Dean Smith’s presser this week, he stated that Ream will only participate in the first USMNT as he will then leave early for Charlotte FC’s preseason training. Matt Freese (NYCFC) The American goalkeeper received his first senior international call-up this January on the back of a strong season with NYCFC where he played in 41 matches throughout the campaign. Freese also was a regular starter in MLS NEXT Pro for the Philadelphia Union featuring in 31 games in 2022. The 6’3” homegrown international gained valuable MLS experience with NYCFC this past season not only helping them to an Eastern Conference Semi-Final but also finishing sixth in the East and picking up six clean sheets in 34 appearances. At 26, Freese still has his best years ahead of him and with a senior international call-up, could be one to watch this window if Pochettino opts to mix things up although it would still be most likely that Zach Steffen (Colorado Rapids) starts one of the fixtures. Freese is also reportedly  getting international interest from Dutch and German clubs. Final thoughts While the starting lineup won't be known until Saturday, fans of Charlotte FC will want to tune into the matches to see how Agyemang’s first stint in a US Camp goes along with who partners Ream in defense. Even if both players don’t feature for the full 90 minutes in either game, it will be a positive for Charlotte fans to see multiple players from their squad feature. USMNT and MLS fans will have an opportunity to see several players from around the league make their debut at the international level as 10 players currently called up have yet to earn a cap for the USMNT. Game 1 Saturday, Jan. 18, 3 PM ET vs Venezuela Game 2 Wednesday, Jan. 22, 7 PM ET vs Costa Rica

By Brian Maurer Photo Courtesy of Greenville Triumph According to sources, Charlotte FC Head Coach Dean Smith's son, Jamie Smith (27), is finalizing a deal to play for Crown Legacy FC. The center-back played for the Greenville Triumph the past three seasons earning 65 appearances during that time, scoring six goals as a defender. Before signing a contract with the Triumph, Jamie Smith played in college for NC State where he had 43 starts across three seasons. He also played at Limestone University and Asheville City SC. Smith will provide veteran leadership to a young core group of players at Crown Legacy. Crown Legacy won their first playoff game in club history in 2024. It will aim for more success this year under new Head Coach Gary Dicker who is taking over the position after building a strong player development resume during his time with Brighton & Hove Albion.

By Brian Maurer Head Coach José Tavares is getting Crown Legacy FC ready for their second season after a successful inaugural campaign. Legacy won the Eastern Conference in 2023 before losing 1-0 in the playoffs to Columbus Crew 2. Team President Darrius Barnes was named Executive of the Year  for his work in 2023. Defender João Pedro was named to the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI. Four players earned first-team contracts; Iuri Tavares, Nikola Petković, Pedro, and Chituru Odunze. Tavares has started in all three of Charlotte FC’s games and has scored his first MLS goal. Petković and Pedro have both made their MLS debuts. Charlotte FC-signed Nimfasha Berchimas and Patrick Agyemang were regulars for Crown Legacy in 2023 and have now become a part of Dean Smith’s first-team rotation in 2024. Legacy’s 2023 captain David Poreba returned to Polish side Stal Mielic before being loaned  to Chicago Fire II where he will likely face off against Crown Legacy in 2024. The 2024 season brings another exciting change as the Charlotte area development team will participate in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in place of Charlotte FC. Their first US Open Cup match-up will be on March 21st vs. South Carolina United Heat. Legacy has several players returning for 2024. There are also several new faces from abroad and from the college level. As well as a Charlotte FC Academy graduate.  Here is a list of all the players signed to a Crown Legacy FC contract for the 2024 season: Goalkeepers Isaac Walker (Age: 23) - GK - Returnee The 2023 MLS Goalie Wars Champion returns for his second season with Legacy. In 2023, Walker earned 18 starts with 14 wins. Nicholas Holliday (18) - GK - Previous club: North Carolina FC Holliday was signed  from NCFC where he had 27 appearances in all competitions during his time with the club from Cary. A special note: Holliday’s contract includes a guaranteed future contract with Charlotte FC. “We see plenty of potential in Nicholas, thanks to his development with North Carolina FC, and we look forward to his progression through MLS NEXT Pro to the First Team in the coming years,” said Charlotte FC Assistant General Manager Bobby Belair. Defenders Willian Sangoquiza (18) - CB - Previous club: América de Quito Sangoquiza was signed  on a one-year loan from the Ecuadorian side América de Quito. He will also fill an international roster spot. There is a purchase option in his contract. The Ecuadorian had 14 appearances and two goals for Quito. “Willian is a young, high-upside center back that has played first-team football in multiple positions which highlights his unique skill set for his age,” said Belair. He is primarily a center-back but has also played right-back and in midfield. Julian Bravo (23) - CB - Previous club: Timbers 2 Bravo was signed  from Timbers 2 where he had 27 MLS NEXT Pro appearances in 2023. He also had two goals during the 2023 campaign. The center-back will come to Crown Legacy with multiple years of professional experience since being drafted by the Portland Timbers in 2022. Assane Souleymane Ouedraogo (18) - LCB - Previous club: FC San Pedro Ouedraogo was signed  on a permanent transfer and will occupy an international roster spot with Crown Legacy. “As a left-footed center-back, Assane possesses rare talent with characteristics we are looking for on both sides of the ball. We are looking forward to seeing how quickly Assane can progress in our competitive environment,” said Belair. The defender was signed from Ivory Coast side FC San Pedro. He has also featured for the Ivory Coast National Team at the U-23 level. Jean-Aniel Assi (19) - RB - Previous club: CF Montréal Assi was signed  as a free agent. The Ivory Coast native was originally signed to a homegrown contract by CF Montréal in 2020 and has been on loan for the past two seasons in the Canadian Premier League. He also has experience playing for the Canadian Youth National Team, most recently in the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Midfielders Philip Mayaka (23) - DM - Returnee Mayaka was a key defensive midfielder for Legacy in 2023, earning 26 starts. He will likely be depended on regularly again in 2024 after the former first-round SuperDraft pick had his option exercised. Cameron Duke (22) - CM - Previous club: Sporting Kansas City Duke will add MLS experience  to the Crown Legacy roster. He has 54 appearances for SKC with 22 starts. He has five goal contributions (2g/3a) in his MLS career.“Cameron is an exciting young midfielder with dynamism and versatility,” said Belair. The Kansas native rose through the SKC academy with Charlotte FC full-back Jaylin Lindsey and will be looking to earn an opportunity to rejoin his former USYNT teammate on the first team. Brandon Parrish (22) - CM - Previous club: Clemson University Parrish brings championship pedigree from the college ranks. He has been a part of two NCAA Championship wins during his time at Clemson and will look to show that his ability to his club win translates to the professional level at Crown Legacy FC. “Brandon is a high-potential midfielder who proved his talent during his four seasons at Clemson,” said Belair. Erik Peña (18) - CM - Previous club: Charlotte FC Academy Peña made Charlotte FC history becoming the first Academy graduate to sign an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Legacy. “We are extremely proud of Erik to be the first player to take this pathway, and we look forward to watching him grow and be an example for the rest of our Academy,” said Belair. Peña made 12 appearances and earned two starts with Legacy as an academy prospect in 2023. Thiago (21) - Midfielder - Returnee Thiago was a rotational midfielder for Crown Legacy last season, earning 18 appearances with eight starts, scoring once in 2023. He will be aiming to carve out a larger role in 2024 as several starters have now moved on. Filip Mirkovic (22) - AM - University of Pittsburgh Mirkovic was signed by Crown Legacy as a free agent after he was drafted by Orlando City 54th overall in the 2024 SuperDraft. The attacking midfielder spent four years at the University of Pittsburgh and accrued 28 assists, which is a record for Pittsburgh Men’s soccer. He’s also a two-time First Team All-ACC. “His elite vision, passing ability and leadership makes him an exciting prospect that will further strengthen our midfield core. We are excited to watch Filip develop in our environment as he begins his professional career,” said Belair. Forwards Gurman Sangha (24) - Winger - Returnee Sangha was a rotational winger for Crown Legacy in 2023, earning 12 appearances with four starts. He, like Thiago, will be looking to have a bigger impact in 2024 with several key attacking pieces moving on. Josué Rodrigues (19) - Winger - Returnee Rodrigues earned 14 appearances with one start in 2023, also scoring once during the campaign. He will be looking to earn a larger role in 2024 alongside Sangha and Thiago. Markó Filipovic (24) - Striker - Returnee Filipovic earned 16 appearances with three starts. He had four goal contributions (3g/1a) in 450 minutes and will likely be looking to take over as the primary scoring threat since Agyemang and Tavares were both promoted to the first team. Jack Sarkos (23) - Striker - Previous club: UCLA Sarkos was signed  as a free agent. He had 15 appearances for UCLA this past season making 11 goal contributions (9g/2a). “His success at the collegiate level has made him a highly touted prospect that we believe can develop rapidly in our system. After being courted by several MLS NEXT Pro clubs, we are thrilled to announce the signing of Jack and assist him with the next step of his career,” said Belair. Before joining UCLA, Sarkos played for Lehigh University where he earned First-Team Patriots League honors twice. Dylan Sing (23) - Striker - Previous club: Western Michigan University Sing was a standout performer  at Western Michigan earning 90 career appearances and had 56 goal contributions (34g/22a) in that time. In 2023, he had 25 goal contributions (17g/8a) in 23 matches, earning him the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year award. Jonathan Nyandjo (21) - Striker - Previous club: UNC-Charlotte   Nyandjo was on trial  with the club during the preseason and earned his MLS NEXT Pro contract after impressing during trials. “We are proud to add another local talent to our squad and showcase the talent that exists in the Carolinas from various pathways. Jono’s connection to the city and club, as well as his maturity on and off the pitch, will help us maintain the competitive and connected environment we built last season,” said Belair. The Charlotte native played in 56 matches for the 49ers, accumulating 20 goal contributions (11g/9a). In his senior year, he had eight goal contributions (4g/4a), and he helped lead the team to an American Athletic Conference title. Nyandjo was also named a first-team All-American and a semi-finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy (which is equivalent to an MVP award). Nyandjo will compete in a crowded striker position in 2024. Crown Legacy Depth Chart

By Tyler Trent Photo credit Crown Legacy FC Soccer is hardly an option when you are born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia. In the first division, Belgrade has five professional teams; however, one matchup earns all the spotlight. The Eternal Derby, fought out between Red Star Belgrade and Partizan, is renowned around the world for its intensity and intrigue. Filip Mirkovic was born in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2001. That year, the Eternal Derby was a highly contested affair with the two teams splitting their regular season meetings and Partizan winning the Serbian Cup over its rival. However, Mirkovic would grow up to be a Red Star Belgrade supporter. He first began playing the sport around four years old in kids' leagues. Later, his mom placed him in an academy system, where he played for a couple of years. However, Mirkovic's time in Serbia ended when his family decided to move to New York City. After arriving in New York, Mirkovic joined a local team called Asphalt Green, where he played for around two years developing his skills while playing up an age group. Mirkovic then made a pitstop with Manhattan Soccer Club before moving to play with New York Red Bulls for a year and a half. The crowning achievement for the youth career of Mirkovic came with his move to the New York City FC Academy, where his team was back-to-back National Champions. After his success in the NYCFC Academy, Mirkovic decided to attend college at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned many more accolades, including the 2020 All-ACC Freshman Team, 2022 All-ACC First Team, and 2023 Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List honors. A Balkan connection between Mirkovic and a member of the coaching staff in part led the Serbian-born midfielder to make Pitt his next move. In his four seasons with Pitt, Mirkovic played 75 matches, with 71 of those as a starter. The central midfielder scored nine goals and tallied 28 assists in his four seasons with Pitt. Photo credit Pitt Athletics Becoming a pro Orlando City selected Mirkovic in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, but plans didn't go as expected. "It was a weird spot for me. They didn't really have plans for me, and I was really confused. If I was playing bad in preseason, take me out, but when I'm playing actually good, then this happens. It was just the weirdest spot to be in," said Mirkovic on his short stint with Orlando City. However, Charlotte quickly reached out about signing the midfielder. Mirkovic shared that Charlotte has been in contact with him for multiple years now, saying, "Charlotte was a club that I've been wanting to come to for a long time. They reached out to me when I was a junior in college at Pitt. They wanted to buy my rights from NYCFC, but NYCFC wanted more money. It was just a business thing. We got unlucky there, but somehow it was meant to be. Now I'm here, so I'm very happy about that." Now at Crown Legacy, Mirkovic is already making an impact. He currently ranks third in minutes played for Crown Legacy this season, missing time only due to a minor injury. The midfielder holds an 85.4% pass accuracy, has played 13 key passes good for second most on the team, and has one assist. Though Crown Legacy has struggled early compared to last season, Mirkovic isn't worried. Serbian heritage and upbringing With a busy schedule due to soccer, Mirkovic doesn't get the chance to travel back to Serbia as much as his family did when he was young. "It's been like four or five years now that I haven't gotten the chance. I don't really have too much time, even during the summer. I'm training, staying fit, getting ready for the season. I don't really wanna take any days off. I prefer to stay here, but of course, I gotta visit soon, man. Now that we're talking about, it's been a minute," shared Mirkovic with a smile. Mirkovic described himself as a confident midfielder who likes to be on the ball, control the tempo, take risks, play dangerous balls, and make an impact. That drive was instilled in Mirkovic early by his father. In an excerpt from Pitt News , Mirkovic explains the difficulties and the benefits of that Balkan father figure. “I love it,” Mirkovic said about his Serbian background. “It’s something different. It’s unique — Serbian dads, they’re known for being very hard on their kids. So I did have a hard time with him, with ups and downs a lot of [the] time, but in the end, he made me stronger and it’s paying off.” Now that he's a professional, Mirkovic looked back at how his relationship with his father changed over his journey. "He used to be very hard on me and really gave me a hard time when I wasn't performing. We used to get into tons of arguments and stuff at home. Everything that happened, it's always something to learn from. It kind of makes you realize that nothing comes easy in this world and of course, your parents always want the best for their kid. So I understand where his frustration was coming from and everything. I just kind of pushed myself to be very independent and really just focus on myself to get to that level where I wanted to make everyone proud so they can know that I'm here now. I'm doing well by myself and you know it's somewhere where I pushed myself, with or without your help." Adjusting to Crown Legacy Crown Legacy recently won its first match of the year against New York City FC II last week. Mirkovic was recovering from a minor injury and only appeared as a substitute, and although he was disappointed he wasn't able to get more minutes, he was ecstatic with the win, saying, "Listen, it's for the team. It was a huge win - the first one of the season; really a good place to get it away. The game really showed that you know, even if we play home or away, whoever it is that comes our way, we don't have a problem with it as long as we stick together and stick to the plan. It was especially a sweet victory for me, knowing that I used to play for them, and it was just nice to be back home as well. My family came out - playing in front of them, getting that win in front of them was pretty special." While his professional career is just starting, Mirkovic considers signing that contract one of the biggest achievements in his sporting journey so far. "The plan was for me to continue my professional career after college, and I'm very proud of that. I know I have a lot more to give, and you know there's a lot more for me to put on the table," shared Mirkovic. The other achievement that Mirkovic holds in high regard is becoming Pitt's all-time assist leader - a record previously held for over 25 years. The midfielder quickly followed up to say while he's proud of the accomplishment, it's the past, saying, " But listen, that's history. That's something I'm proud of, but I just started looking forward to the future and what I can do with this team now." Coming into the team from Pitt, Mirkovic was familiar with some members of the team from Atlantic Coast Conference play—guys like Jahlane Forbes and Hamady Diop, whom he often played against. The Serbian-born player also mentioned Nikola Petković and Marko Filipovic as other Serbian kids who play for Charlotte, which made it easier for him to fit in and adjust. Mirkovic (left) and Filipovic (right) pose with Serbia flag. Photo credit Crown Legacy FC While he had never been to Charlotte before signing, Mirkovic says that helped him settle in a little more quickly. "I've heard a lot of good things. There are a lot of young people coming in and it seemed like a good place to be at the moment. Especially with Charlotte's team, a new club that's in town, you know. It's promising, you know, and that kind of caught my eye when I heard about it." Hobbies off the pitch In addition to following Red Star Belgrade, Mirkovic also follows Real Madrid, tennis, and basketball. He considers the Serbian legend Novak Djokovic as his favorite player. "A little bias, you know? He's the goat, I love him," Mirkovic commented with a laugh. Outside of his career playing sports, Mirkovic often spends his free time playing pickleball, tennis, and basketball when he's not resting. He also shared that he is a big movie guy. He mentioned Christopher Nolan's 2014 Sci-Fi epic Interstellar as an all-time favorite and that he was a fan of The Equalizer trilogy starring Denzel Washington. Mirkovic and Crown Legacy return to play tonight at the Sportsplex at Matthews in an Eastern Conference matchup against New England Revolution II at 7:30 pm. Crown Legacy will continue at home against Chattanooga FC on May 15th at 7:30 pm. To make a greater impact for the Relatives and progress our community initiatives, Crown Legacy FC will be hosting a clothes drive at its home matches throughout the Month of May! Fans who donate two or more articles of clothing will receive a discounted ticket to a CLFC home match in May. One discounted ticket per fan who donates. Crown Legacy FC Season Ticket Members who donate will receive raffle tickets for giveaways during the Crown Legacy FC's annual STM night. Donation bins will be placed in front of the box office at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex and at the entrance of AHPP. Discounted tickets will be available at the box office after donating. For young people in crisis, The Relatives steps in where no one else can. With a 50-year history, The Relatives is unmatched in finding solutions for the countless challenges that confront the youth they serve. Supporting The Relatives means you are giving relief in place of despair, acceptance in place of rejection and empowerment in place of hopelessness. For more information on The Relatives, visit therelatives.org .

By Brian Maurer Photo courtesy of Crown Legacy FC Crown Legacy FC has signed Charlotte FC Academy prospect Aron John to a pro contract. He will remain with Legacy for the time being. His deal will include a guaranteed future First Team contract. John made a big step forward this year with his play in MLS NEXT Pro which led to the pro deal. The young midfielder is currently tied for third in NEXT Pro with 12 goal contributions (7g/5a). John’s introduction to the Beautiful Game John was introduced to soccer at an early age, following his older brother’s lead. “My older brother played at the Y…he’s two years older than me and I would go watch and train when I was three” he recalled. “I started dribbling the ball up and down the sidelines while he was training” John continued. “That was a big factor, seeing him play out there and just me wanting to go out there with him and play.” His brother still plays for Liberty University, where John had also committed last year. “I was already committed…so my plan was ‘I’m going to college, but I’ll play all the way up until I leave’,” John said about his plan after finishing at the Academy. Changing from the college route to the pro pathway John’s performances earned him more and more playing time, especially once his play turned into goals. Once the goalscoring started, people took notice, and in John’s case, the plan changed. “I got to play a lot this year, which was really fun and then I kept scoring. They offered a contract and then I was like ‘crap, what do I do?’” John said. “It’s a really hard decision. There are really good things on this side and then really good things when staying here, so I had to kind of weigh that.” Patience and prayer were important parts of John’s approach when making his decision between college or the pros. “I prayed a lot about it and I thought that God was calling me to just stay here. So I think that’s where I’m supposed to be,” reflected John. The long road to earning a spot at the Charlotte FC Academy Not all MLS academy players grow through the ranks from U14 to U17*. For John, he had to earn his way on while playing with Charlotte Soccer Academy. His first trial with Charlotte FC was at the 2022 Generation Adidas Cup in Frisco, Texas. “That was a real experience” exclaimed John “Kobbie Mainoo actually played in that tournament.” Mainoo just started for England in their Semi-final win at the Euros earlier this week. John said that at the time he didn’t know what the GA Cup was, how big, and how many international clubs participated in the tournament. His focus was on being a part of Charlotte FC. “I really wanted to go to Charlotte ever since it was a club…it just took a little bit of time for me to get in, which is totally fine…I was just so happy that I got the chance to come into the club and do what I do” John recalled. One of John’s more difficult moments was when he played for the CSA U15s and they lost in the National Championship game 2-1 . “I thought that ‘hey maybe if I won that I would have went to [Charlotte FC]’ but that didn’t end up happening and I had to stay another year” John reflected. After that loss, John said that moments like that were what pushed him to keep going forward and working hard. In the end that loss paid a dividend as he found a way not only to the academy team but will eventually be a part of the First Team. John’s preferred position John said that his preferred position is a box-to-box eight. “I think it suits me best because I like to be in the build-up…and then some freedom to go into the box and create chances and score goals,” John said. When asked to describe himself as a footballer John responded with “Heart, very hard working, tries to do the right thing every time…consistent, and then passionate, competitive. I hate losing.” His style of play and preference makes even more sense after learning some of the players he enjoys watching, like Alexis Mac Allister, who he feels his game is most similar to. John also mentioned Mac Allister because Liverpool is his favorite team.  “I would say my favorite player is Kevin DeBruyne,” said John. He also mentioned Aidan Morris and Darlington Nagbe as two midfielders in MLS that he has been following.  All these players are good in build-up play and capable of dangerous moments around the box, showing his knack for finding high-level players with a similar style to his own. The young midfielder left an impact on the Academy staff and coaches John has been a standout performer his entire time since joining Charlotte FC. He was the club’s first-ever Academy Player of the Year  in 2023 and has continued that momentum at the MLS NEXT Pro level. “When [John] joined the Academy two years ago, his passion, talent, and competitiveness were very evident. He brings those traits every day. When you couple those traits with his professional habits off the field, you have a player with high potential. We are so proud of [John], he’s a wonderful representative of our club and community!” said Charlotte FC Academy Director Bryan Scales. His U17 Coach Jason Osborne had similar positive remarks about the way John thinks and works at his game “Whilst coaching [John] within the Academy it was clear he was a special player. Arriving late into the box to finish was his specialty and made us compare him to a young Frank Lampard!” stated Osborne. “He was a joy in training with his consistency and mindset to get better. We are all excited to see what’s in store for [John] as he takes the next step in his journey.” John’s next two games for Crown Legacy will be in the Carolinas as they take on Carolina Core tomorrow in High Point. Legacy then returns home to take on Atlanta United 2 on Sunday, July 21. *Next year the Academy pathway will change. The highest academy level will be U18 for the 2024/25 season.

By Brian Maurer Evander (Photo courtesy of the Portland Timbers) Last night, GiveMeSport's Tom Bogert reported that MLS will be instituting a new rule where MLS clubs could start making cash transfers on intraleague trades. The rule allows clubs to make two outgoing and incoming cash-based intraleague transfers per year. This opens the door for high-level Designated Players who are unhappy at their current club to be kept in MLS. Before, when a high-value player wanted out of their current MLS club that team would have to transfer their player abroad to try and recoup some value from the situation. Now MLS clubs will be more equipped to compete in their high-value player market. Specifically in this winter window, the Portland Timbers' Evander and FC Cincinnati's Lucho Acosta have expressed a desire to leave their clubs. Other MLS clubs have an opportunity to compete in negotiations for these players who were both 2024 MLS MVP nominees . If Charlotte FC was willing to spend around $10 million for Miguel Almiron this winter, then one would think they would at least inquire about Evander and Acosta. Both midfielders had over 30 goal contributions in 2024, which is more than Almiron had during either of his seasons with Atlanta United. All this is to say, there are now two MLS-experienced high-level contributors at Charlotte FC's greatest area of need who are now available within the league that the Crown should be monitoring as the winter window progresses. There is an argument that Evander and Acosta should now be Charlotte's top targets.