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: W-W-W-W-W
• Record: 17W, 2D, 11L | 53 points, 3rd place
• Scoring Leader: Idan Toklomati, 11 goals
• Assist Leader: Pep Biel, 11 assists
1. Charlotte can make MLS history on Saturday
Hudson River Blue: After a four-game winless streak from June to early July, Charlotte FC have won nine straight MLS games and could make league history on Saturday with a win over NYCFC. With everything seemingly going perfectly for Charlotte right now, is there anything that could stop them?
Jorge Gonzales: It’s hard to see much stopping Charlotte FC right now, given the form they’re in. They’ve become one of the toughest teams in MLS to break down, keeping four clean sheets in their last five matches.
That said, there have been moments in the past two games where opponents created chances but simply weren’t clinical enough to make Charlotte pay. For NYCFC, the key will be capitalizing on those opportunities when they come.
2. Striker Idan Toklomati is in great form
HRB: After Patrick Agyemang left Charlotte to join Derby County, Idan Toklomati has taken the starting striker role. He’s been outstanding, scoring 11 goals — including a hat trick in the last game against Inter Miami — and has five goals in his last four games. Do you think he’s the clear-cut long-term solution at striker for Charlotte?
JG: Idan Toklomati is, without question, the long-term solution at striker for Charlotte FC. He brings everything you want in a No 9: relentless pressing, sharp awareness, a natural instinct for finding the right spots in the box, and the technical quality to finish at a high level at just 21 years old. His ceiling is incredibly high, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually becomes the club’s record transfer sale.
3. Charlotte's defense is rock solid
HRB: Charlotte’s defense has been great, keeping six clean sheets during their nine-game winning streak. What have you seen from the backline and Kristijan Kahlina during this run?
JG: I’ve seen leadership and added maturity.
The spell when the team was struggling really tested this group and forced them to dig deeper mentally to get out of that funk, which has now led to incredible results. Experiencing the high of reaching the top of the East early in the season, followed by the low of a difficult month and a half, served as a valuable wake-up call.
Hudson River Blue Staff
4. The X-Factor: Wilfried Zaha
HRB: What's the X-Factor that could decide this game?
JG: I could name several X-factors that could decide this game, but I’m going to go with Wilfried Zaha. He’s matured as a player since arriving here, and his understanding with his teammates has really grown. Right now, he’s playing at an exceptionally high level, and I can see him deciding this match either with a goal or by finding the right teammate with a brilliant pass.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
JG: Final score: Charlotte 2-1 NYCFC.
