In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Jorge Gonzales of Topbin90 to learn more about Charlotte FC, New York City FC's opponent on Saturday night. Here is your NYCFC versus Charlotte preview.
• League Form: D-L-L-L-W
• Record: 8W, 2D, 11L | 26 points, 10th place
• Scoring Leader: Pep Biel, 7 goals
• Assist Leader: Pep Biel, 9 assists
1. Striker Patrick Agyemang is on his way out
Hudson River Blue: Star striker Patrick Agyemang is set to join EFL Championship side Derby County for up to a reported $8 million fee. How will the departure of Agyemang affect Charlotte?
Jorge Gonzales: The departure of Agyemang is certainly a blow for Charlotte FC. He has progressed every year since being drafted and even beat out two DPs for the starting striker role. I’d imagine Charlotte FC will look to replace him with a striker who’s ready to compete immediately.
On a positive note, his understudy, Idan Toklomati, has shown signs of being the real deal. His profile is slightly different from Agyemang’s — he’s a more technical striker who excels at pressing and has great awareness on the pitch, knowing how to involve others in the game. He’s also already showing signs of being a goal scorer, having scored in two of the last three games. I believe he has a higher ceiling than Agyemang.
2. Spanish winger Pep Biel is the real deal
HRB: Spanish winger Pep Biel — on loan from Olympiacos FC for the second straight season — leads the team with seven goals and nine assists. He also leads the league with 22 big chances created and is the fastest player in club history to record 20 goal contributions. Could he be the player that Charlotte needs to carry the offensive load with Agyemang gone?
JG: Right now, Biel is the one carrying Charlotte FC. In his last match, he scored and assisted, and he now has 20 goal contributions in 29 matches for the club. He’s the player who makes Charlotte’s offensive line tick.
3. Charlotte doesn't like to tie
HRB: Charlotte FC has just two draws this season: a 2-2 result against Seattle in its season opener and a 2-2 result against Orlando this past Saturday. Why do you think this is?
JG: Charlotte is a team of ups and downs this season. They started hot, even climbing to the top of the league, but things have changed recently. The team has struggled to hold onto leads, which has become a major issue. The backline is a shadow of what it was last year, and [goalkeeper Kristijan] Kahlina has had a rocky season.
4. The X-Factor: Pep Biel
HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?
JG: The X-factor will be Pep Biel. I’d imagine Charlotte FC will line up similarly to how they did against Orlando, opting for three more defensively minded midfielders and starting Biel on the right wing, allowing him to drift centrally throughout the match.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
JG: 2-1 Charlotte FC win.
