Charlotte FC is finally getting ready for the second half of the season with the addition of defender Harry Toffolo. This year has been a mixed bag for the crown, which started top of the league, but is now struggling to stay relevant ahead of the postseason. The problems haven’t come from just one side of the field. The team has struggled to keep their backline together and execute their offense effectively. While Toffolo might be known for his work in front of the goal, the former Premier League player could also bring some fire to the front line.
Charlotte started the year off on a high note, leading the Eastern Conference before the start of summer. The injury to one of their backline seemed to be all that was needed to end that streak of success. Nathan Byrne required surgery at the beginning of May, marking the start of a streak of losses for the team. It didn’t help that senior defender Tim Ream and star forward Patrick Agyemang were called away on international duty with the USMNT.
While the team struggled to find its success, an even younger star started stepping up. Idan Toklomati took his game up a notch and has now recorded six goals and one assist with Charlotte this season. Another injury could help push the team back down the Eastern Conference list. Pep Biel, the unlikely hero of the season, is expected to be out for at least a month. That means the team needs some new blood to stay ahead.
Toffolo is already in Charlotte practicing with the team. His addition to the squad will add both a solid defense and more goal-scoring opportunities. He’s not scared to go from the back line to the front, recording several assists and one goal during his sophomore year at Nottingham. He also marks a shift from Charlotte to pick up players just a few months ahead of their retirement. He’ll serve as a long-term solution to both the club’s lack of defending depth and a push up front for a team that likes to play to the back.
This sort of play is similar to what was seen from inaugural captain Christian Fuchs. During that season, he, who is a known defender, scored three separate goals. Toffolo could get even more help, since Fuchs will also serve as his coach.
While this addition is something to be excited about, especially as the team prepares for the second half of the season with breakout star Biel, he has served as both a solid defense against quick plays in front of the goal and as a successful winger and even forward. The team also seems to be playing like their backline has never met each other since Byrne’s return, which a new addition to the team won’t help.
Toffolo is the defender the crown needs if they want to have any shot at moving forward the rest of the season. The main issue that they’ll face is themselves. Charlotte has solid players, but when they’re on the pitch together, there tends to be little to no cohesion. The solid presence of senior players like Ashley Westwood and Adilson Malanada helps, but you can’t hold a professional’s hand and ask them to play better. We’ll have to wait for his debut to see how he helps bring the team back together.
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