The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast · Andrew Barnikel, Connor Wright

Episode 440: A Not So Deep Dive Into Charlotte FC's 2026 Season ft TopBin90!

·34 min·3 clips

Charlotte FC scored just twice in six playoff games, exposing their offensive struggles in high-pressure moments.

This episode previews Charlotte FC's 2026 MLS season with host Sam and guest Brian from the fan outlet TopBin90. Brian is a noted Charlotte FC analyst and co-host of the Dropping Points fantasy soccer podcast. The conversation begins with a brief, critical discussion about the new MLS Fantasy platform and its controversial paywall features. They analyze Charlotte's turbulent 2025 season, which featured an 11-win run in the final 13 games but ended with a first-round playoff loss to New York City FC. Key offseason moves include signing midfielder Luca de la Torre to a long-term deal and acquiring left-back David Schnegg via waivers from D.C. United. The departure of defender Adilson Malanda is noted as the team's most significant loss, with Andrew Privett and free agent Henry Kessler competing to replace him. Brian highlights that Charlotte was statistically efficient but lacked volume in attack, ranking 29th in shots and shot-creating actions last season. He argues the team must create more chances to avoid over-reliance on high conversion rates. A major question is whether coach Dean Smith can evolve the team's style to control possession better and apply more defensive pressure. Several young players are identified as potential breakout candidates, including Archie Goodwin, Rodolfo Alarcón, and academy product Aaron John. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending fan perspective with tactical observations. Listeners interested in detailed Charlotte FC roster analysis and Eastern Conference playoff predictions will appreciate this episode. Those seeking league-wide news or narrative storytelling might find its team-specific focus too narrow.

As heard by us

Charlotte's depth looks better, but the weak spots still show through.

Charlotte FC closes out the Designated Players' 30-team preseason run, and the talk stays focused on roster depth and the uncertainty that still comes with it.

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Why you'd press play

Need a Charlotte FC 2026 preview with real roster debate?

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