It is one of the newer major league sports teams in the country, but Charlotte FC has already made quite a name for itself. After just four seasons of play, The Crown has qualified for the MLS postseason in each of the past three years and has developed a committed and loyal fan base across this region.
There will be plenty of Charlotte fans in Iredell County, and they will know that the new MLS season is almost upon us. Much of the soccer-related attention will be focused on this summer’s FIFA World Cup, but the MLS season is now kicking off, meaning fans will be reading up on the bookmaker reviews to see where to back Charlotte this year.
MyTopSportsbooks.com is the place to go to discover all the latest news when it comes to betting on soccer, but can Charlotte fans be confident in their team this season?
2025 Recap
Charlotte may still be underrated by some MLS experts, but Dean Smith’s team has developed into one of the most consistent in the league. With a focus on defending strongly, The Crown has also been able to put some very attacking players on the field to give the side good balance.
This time last year, most predictions had Charlotte finishing around the 7th or 8th place in the Eastern Conference, but it exceeded those expectations. Although there were some very poor performances in the middle section of the regular season, a record-breaking nine-game win streak in the summer set Charlotte up nicely for the postseason.
That is why the series loss to the New York Red Bulls in the first round was such a disappointment. Failing to win in regulation time over three games is something Smith will have taken on board, planning this year to make more of a mark on the regular season and the playoffs.
Both the Leagues Cup and Open Cup campaigns finished prematurely, while the seventh place overall finish meant that Charlotte was, agonizingly, one point short of qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Dean Smith will also be hoping to improve in the cup competitions this year.
Key Players for 2026
As strong as the defense of Charlotte is, it is the attacking talent on the roster that really excites. After initially arriving on loan from Olympiacos in 2024 and then returning at the start of last year, Charlotte has now signed Pep Biel on a permanent basis. The Spanish attacker managed 10 goals in all competitions last season, and more will be expected of him this year, with the hope that he can avoid any injury.
The other main focus of the Charlotte team has to be Wilfried Zaha. It was regarded as quite a coup for The Crown when the former EPL star signed on loan from Turkish outfit, Galatasaray, but the Ivory Coast international has really taken to Major League Soccer. New arrival Luca de la Torre will also add another option in the midfield, after being acquired from La Liga side Celta Vigo. He already has MLS experience, having played for San Diego, and should play an important role this season.
More Players Needed
As attractive as that midfield sounds, there is still some work to be done in bringing in new recruits. Adilson Malanda has departed for English EFL side Middlesbrough, for good this time, and leaves a hole at the back for Charlotte. There have been a few signings to bolster the defensive unit, but more will be needed.
There are players that can fit in if needed, but Dean Smith will be painfully aware that a strong roster, with as many backups throughout the starting eleven, is the only way to do well in MLS. Adding more quality to the squad should also help if Charlotte does indeed make it to the postseason.
Battle in the East
As well as Charlotte recruits and trains for this season, the intense competition of the Eastern Conference is probably the main barrier to any real success for the team this year. Parity across MLS is impressive, but it does mean that there are a whole host of teams vying for those playoff places.
Even without Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Inter Miami, once again, looks incredibly stacked with talent and will be the ones to beat in the East, if not the entire MLS. Add to that the consistent strength of Cincinnati and a Chicago Fire with Gregg Berhalter in charge, and the top of the conference is bound to be a close-run thing. Two-thirds of the Eastern Conference will have a legitimate claim on the top playoff spots, so Charlotte should know that it has a battle on its hands.
Mid-Season Break
This year, Charlotte, along with every other team in the league, will have to deal with a pre- and post-World Cup schedule. With the 2026 finals coming to North America in June and July, the domestic season will come to a halt at the end of May and only resume play six weeks later in the middle of July.
As much as everyone loves a World Cup tournament, Dean Smith will need to work with his available players during that time to ensure that they are ready to go again for the second part. Any momentum in the first part of the season will be lost, so the games between the middle of July and the beginning of November might turn out to be even more important than usual.
Postseason a Must
Major League Soccer continues to be an incredibly competitive league, but after the last few seasons, progressing to the postseason must be the minimum target for Charlotte. If that is achieved, the next aim will be to continue the form and deal with playoff soccer.
There is great potential in Charlotte. And a World Cup year seems the perfect time for Dean Smith’s team to go further and do better than ever before.