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Fútbol Friday

Getting you up to speed on Charlotte FC, Charlotte's pro soccer team - for casual fans and soccer diehards

Fútbol Friday

Charlotte FC tackles declining attendance

Feb 27, 2026

•

13 min read

Charlotte FC tackles declining attendance

As newness wears off in season No. 5, the club is employing series of initiatives to bolster attendance, which dipped from second to third in MLS last year, plus previewing Saturday's game in L.A.

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

10 Things to know ahead of Charlotte FC's opener

Feb 20, 2026

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15 min read

10 Things to know ahead of Charlotte FC's opener

To prepare for Saturday's opener in St. Louis, catch up on latest with Toklomati, Zaha, Biel and other Charlotte stars — plus what World Cup means for the schedule, previewing the match and more

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

The dream his father couldn't recognize

Feb 13, 2026

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14 min read

The dream his father couldn't recognize

Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith has stayed grounded during his coaching rise after watching 'the life go' from his father's eyes while battling dementia

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Charlotte FC introduces an understated new star

Jan 16, 2026

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14 min read

Charlotte FC introduces an understated new star

U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Luca de la Torre is most notable new addition, plus Charlotte FC signs new left back, welcomes return of Pep Biel and inks new practice jersey partnership.

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Charlotte FC extends general manager

Nov 21, 2025

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14 min read

Charlotte FC extends general manager

Zoran Krneta signs new multi-year contract, Fuchs departs for England, plus 2026 MLS schedule released, implications of '27 schedule swap, Smith's offseason message to Zaha and more

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

5 things we learned from Charlotte FC's season

Nov 14, 2025

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15 min read

5 things we learned from Charlotte FC's season

Plus: MLS overhauls schedules beginning in '27, Bronico signs extension, last of the Malanda goodbyes and more

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Charlotte FC poised for electric atmosphere

Nov 7, 2025

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12 min read

Charlotte FC poised for electric atmosphere

First Round series comes down to decisive Game 3 tonight at Bank of America Stadium against New York City FC; Zaha's impact; Charlotte's hunt for goals

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Charlotte FC faces elimination in New York

Oct 31, 2025

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11 min read

Charlotte FC faces elimination in New York

Trailing 1-0 in the Round One series, Charlotte FC has to beat NYCFC on Saturday to force a Game 3; Wilfried Zaha gears up for impactful return; Malanda's numbered days; previewing Saturday's Game 2

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

EXCLUSIVE: Q&A with Charlotte FC star Idan Toklomati

Oct 28, 2025

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13 min read

EXCLUSIVE: Q&A with Charlotte FC star Idan Toklomati

Shy but standout 21-year-old Israeli striker breaks silence in responses for Futbol Friday on the eve of Charlotte FC's playoff opener vs. New York City FC, plus advance of Game 1

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

A 'Zaha' moment hinders playoff opener

Oct 24, 2025

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11 min read

A 'Zaha' moment hinders playoff opener

Plus GM Zoran Krneta says Biel's injury will not affect his long-term status with Charlotte FC

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Home-field advantage at stake in Saturday's finale

Oct 17, 2025

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14 min read

Home-field advantage at stake in Saturday's finale

Charlotte FC has to beat MLS regular season champ Philadelphia on Saturday to secure Top 4 spot; Plus: early MVP candidate Pep Biel out for rest of season, advancing Saturday and more

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Home-field hopes dim for Charlotte FC

Oct 3, 2025

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12 min read

Home-field hopes dim for Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC has to win its final two games for a chance to secure a top-four spot — and will have to do it with three starters out

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Injury changed trajectory for Toffolo

Sep 26, 2025

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10 min read

Injury changed trajectory for Toffolo

New English left back Harry Toffolo suffered a hamstring strain that cost him four games and the start he wanted here; Plus: Charlotte FC looks to start another win streak Saturday vs. Montreal

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Streak, and more, at stake for Charlotte FC

Sep 19, 2025

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14 min read

Streak, and more, at stake for Charlotte FC

As Charlotte aims to be first MLS team to win 10 in a row, it eyes Supporters' Shield and homefield advantage; Plus Toklomati's impact, Zaha's generosity, advancing Saturday game in New York and more

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Charlotte FC aims for record against Miami

Sep 12, 2025

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14 min read

Charlotte FC aims for record against Miami

Zaha and Charlotte FC seek MLS record-tying 9th straight win against Messi and Miami, Smith reacts to his suspension, upper bowl closing for Saturday is sign of things to come + more

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Charlotte FC coach benched — will miss big Miami game
LockSimple

Sep 4, 2025

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4 min read

Charlotte FC coach benched — will miss big Miami game

Dean Smith will serve a one-game suspension after picking up three yellow cards

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Young striker's star is rising

Aug 29, 2025

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13 min read

Young striker's star is rising

Toklomati is emerging as a centerpiece to Charlotte's attack; Malanda begins goodbyes; former radio analyst Charman on TV call Saturday; Charlotte takes 7-game win streak to New England

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Development paying off for Charlotte FC

Aug 22, 2025

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14 min read

Development paying off for Charlotte FC

Defender Adilson Malanda bound for England at season's end as Charlotte cashes in again during summer transfer window; introducing Australian striker, eyeing goalkeeper lineup and previewing Red Bulls

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

New Brit defender relishes fresh start

Aug 15, 2025

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14 min read

New Brit defender relishes fresh start

Harry Toffolo brings appreciation for American culture to new life and role with Charlotte FC; Club adds Australian striker; Advancing Salt Lake

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Pep talk: Charlotte FC's leading scorer injured

Aug 8, 2025

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13 min read

Pep talk: Charlotte FC's leading scorer injured

Midfielder Pep Biel out 4 to 6 weeks with hamstring strain; English defender Toffolo joins club; previewing Sunday's game in Cincinnati and more

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Another Leagues Cup dud for Charlotte FC

Aug 1, 2025

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12 min read

Another Leagues Cup dud for Charlotte FC

Charlotte falls in physical Leagues Cup opener; Plus: Defender Nathan Byrne returns from neck injury; Zaha on passing his roll and advancing Sunday's game vs. Chivas

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Big family influence on Charlotte defender

Jul 25, 2025

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11 min read

Big family influence on Charlotte defender

Canadian Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, one of 15 siblings, to face hometown club Toronto, plus Agyemang goodbyes and Charlotte FC looking for continue hot home stretch Saturday

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Why can't MLS keep top American talent?

Jul 18, 2025

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16 min read

Why can't MLS keep top American talent?

Commissioner Garber says Agyemang's departure for England and $10 million return serves Charlotte well in global market; Plus 2026 All-Star game news, Lightnin' jersey reaction and advancing Atlanta

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

New Charlotte FC jersey salutes city's soccer history

Jul 11, 2025

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16 min read

New Charlotte FC jersey salutes city's soccer history

Former coach Rodney Marsh traces Charlotte's first pro soccer championship season, as Charlotte FC prepares to honor '81 team; Plus: Smith sounds off on Agyemang departure, advancing New York and more

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton

Fútbol Friday

Charlotte FC's star striker headed to English club

Jul 4, 2025

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12 min read

Charlotte FC's star striker headed to English club

Agyemang transfer to Derby County agreed to pending final details, Toklomati emerging, Biel extended, Zaha out and Charlotte FC returns home short-handed

Carroll Walton
Carroll Walton
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