What Should We Expect from Charlotte FC in 2025? Is an MLS Title Too Ambitious?

Charlotte FC

The expectations for Charlotte FC are sky-high in 2025. The club enters its fourth MLS season with the strongest squad in franchise history. Charlotte will look to build on a strong 2024 season where they finished fifth in the Eastern Conference, falling short on penalties in the playoffs. The key pieces of last year’s squad return alongside a few ground-breaking additions. 

Continuity in Leadership: Dean Smith took over as the Manager of Charlotte FC in 2024, leading the club to its best ever season. Smith’s first season with the club allowed him to grow familiar with the MLS and dictate his own re-shuffling of the roster.

Dean Smith

And, for the players, they will only benefit from developing in Smith’s system for a second consecutive year. Now, Smith enters the new MLS season with his own squad, one which is increasingly comfortable with his system and is ready to compete for silverware. 

The Charlotte Wall Returns: Charlotte FC finished the 2024 season with the best defensive record in the MLS. While there have been rumors of external interest in our star defenders, most of the team’s key pieces return in 2025. The 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Kristijan Kahlina, returns in net for Charlotte FC. The backline is grounded by the young, star center back pairing of Adilson Malanda and Andrew Privett.

Adilson Malanda

These two have proved to be an elite duo in the MLS, and another year of playing alongside each other should only aid their development. At the wide back positions, the club will see the return of Nathan Byrne and Tim Ream. Former starting LB, Jere Uronen, did depart the club for AIK in the Swedish Allsvenskan, but the remaining core pieces returned to the squad. And, GM Zoran Krneta has indicated that the club is actively pursuing an additional left back to bring into the squad.

Bolstered Attack: While Charlotte FC’s defensive record was one of the best in all of the MLS in 2024, their attacking record wasn’t nearly as impressive. The attacking players began to catch fire towards the end of the season, but there is no doubt that the team struggled to create chances and score goals for the majority of the 2024 season. But, fans should expect to see a dramatic turnaround in 2025. 

Wilfried Zaha

The club acquired former Premier League superstar, Wilfried Zaha, in the offseason. Zaha brings an elite pedigree and should be poised to break onto the MLS scene in 2025. Charlotte FC fans are well aware of Patrick Agyemang’s meteoric rise over the past few years. Finally, the club is ready to move forward with Agyemang as the starting striker in 2025. He has earned his opportunity to showcase his talents and cement himself as one of the best number nine’s in all of the MLS.

And, I believe that we will see significant development from the club’s other DP winger, Liel Abada. After one full season in the MLS, Abada should benefit from comfortability with the league, Dean Smith’s system, and expectations. And, it is important to note that the club re-signed attacker, Pep Biel, on a non-DP contract for the 2025 season. Biel joined the squad late in 2024, and he showcased some unique qualities. The squad will benefit from Biel playing underneath this dangerous front three; he should provide creativity and chance-creation at the ten position. 

Liel Abada

Last season, we frequently saw opposing defenses zero-in on containing Patrick Agyemang, as there weren’t enough significant scoring threats. Opposing defenses can no longer focus on one main-man; they will have to divert their attention across our increasingly dangerous front-line.

So, What Should Fans Expect: It would be naive to believe that everything will go perfectly for Charlotte FC in 2025; the club–and the squad–is still quite young, but it is also quite experienced. For the optimist fans, there is a lot to look forward to: Dean Smith’s second season, a returning defensive stronghold, a bolstered front-line, and more. Whether this will translate to concrete success is yet to be seen, but I firmly believe that expectations should be high for Charlotte FC in 2025. I believe that the club has all of the necessary ingredients to compete for an MLS title in 2025. At minimum, the club should be poised for another top-five finish and deep playoff push. The expectations for Charlotte FC in 2025 are the highest of any Charlotte sports team in recent memory; fans should be truly excited.

Images: Charlotte FC