A Strong Start Could Be Even Better: 3 Areas for Charlotte FC to Improve to Become an MLS Contender

Charlotte FC are off to their best start ever—but can this squad truly contend for silverware, or will all-too-familiar deficiencies hold them back? The team sits second in the Eastern Conference and third in the Supporters Shield standings with 16 points: 5 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. While there is a lot to be excited about with this Charlotte FC squad, there are still a few areas that require improvement in order to truly contend for an MLS title. Let’s dive into it.

Away Performances

Charlotte FC Away Trips

Charlotte FC is the only club in the entire MLS that is undefeated at home in 2025. The team is 4-0 in Charlotte, continuing its ongoing trend of showing up for its home fans at Bank of America Stadium. However, Charlotte FC is 1-1-2 in away matches. There is a definitive drop off in intensity and quality of play when Charlotte FC travels for away matches, and this has been an issue dating back many years. It’s difficult to put a finger on just why this might be, but it is helpful to talk through two away performances in particular. One of our two losses this season was away at Colorado Rapids, a 2-0 loss. Looking back on our opening matches, this one hurts me the most as it felt like a wasted opportunity. The squad didn’t even show up on the day, barely creating any scoring opportunities and allowing two silly goals in defense. And, even in our only away win of the season at Montreal, it wasn’t our prettiest performance. All in all, we allowed Montreal–who sit in the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 0 wins–to control the flow of play and possession. There is something to be said for allowing them to control possession while keeping a clean sheet, but it would be a lie if we said that Montreal didn’t have any solid chances on goal; they could have leveled the game. And, many Charlotte FC fans know that we had our fair share of troubles when playing away at both Seattle and Miami. 

This team clearly has some special qualities, and we’ve proven our capability to compete with the best clubs in MLS. But, if we want to solidify ourselves as a top four club or even push for silverware, there cannot continue to be such a stark drop-off in quality while playing on the road. After all, that’s half of our games. 

Team Press

Dean Smith

This area for improvement is a little more obscure, but I’ve noticed it on occasion with this Charlotte FC squad. Understandably, Dean Smith changes the squad’s pressing tactics depending on the opposition. This means that the team will take up a different line of confrontation, pressing intensity, and shape for each game. At times, however, the team’s press has felt disconnected and has made us vulnerable to be played through. Most specifically, in Charlotte’s thrilling 2-1 victory versus Nashville SC, the squad’s first half press allowed us to be exposed. On multiple occasions, we were broken down with just one or two dribbles or a handful of passes; this was due to a high line of confrontation without fully committing to the press. I mentioned this at halftime, and Dean Smith reaffirmed this sentiment in the post-game press conference. It is imperative to be on the same page with pressing tactics to ensure that we don't break down easily and allow silly goals.

Attacking Build-Up & Possession

Charlotte FC Core

This squad is incredibly dangerous on the counter, and we have both the players up front and the service from the middle to take advantage of it. With that being said, I would like to see the team own a little more possession on a consistent basis. This does not mean mindlessly knocking the ball around without any intention of scoring, but rather, controlling the pace of play and maintaining control over the opposition. I would love to see more attacking build up which breaks down opponents and gets everyone involved; I believe that this would also serve to provide forwards, Patrick Agyemang, Wilfried Zaha, and others, with more opportunities. In the Montreal game for example, we came away with the three points, but I believe that we could have made the game easier for ourselves. We should have been able to fully control the game, giving them minimal hope to secure a result. At the end of the day, the three points is what matters, but the squad could strengthen their ability to play both styles in order to see out victories or settle into matches.  

Charlotte FC are showing real promise, but if we can solve these few issues—especially away consistency—there’s no ceiling to what this squad can accomplish in 2025.

Images: Charlotte FC