Like any other expansion season, Charlotte FCThe MLS maiden voyage came with its share of ups and downs.
All in all, 2022 was a solid year for them – one that set the club on a positive path and one that never failed to intrigue. There was an early managerial change, mid-summer additions, big crowds and a thrilling late-season push towards the Audi MLS Cup playoffs, which ultimately fell short.
Charlotte’s inaugural season goals have always been to be competitive and lay a strong foundation for the future. During the second year, however, the goal is binary.
“It’s the playoffs,” sporting director Zoran Krneta told MLSsoccer.com when asked about the club’s expectations for 2023. “We want to be in the playoffs. For us, it’s playoffs and nothing less.”
What Copetti brings
CLTFC made some significant additions this off season to recharge to 2023 i.e. forward Enzo Copetti.
Copetti, who turns 27 early next week, was officially acquired on wednesday of the Argentine Primera División team, Racing Club. The fee is around $6 million according to sources, which is a similar amount as when Charlotte acquired the Poland national team. Karol Świderski last year from PAOK Greece. Copetti enjoyed a career year in 2022, contributing 21 goals and six assists in 47 appearances in all competitions for Racing, one of Argentina’s biggest clubs.
It’s a significant outlay for a player the club believes is a perfect fit and can help take them to new heights. With his last open DP slot – alongside Świderski and winger Kamil Jozwiak – Charlotte identified center forward as the most useful position to invest in. Last year, Świderski was top scorer with 10g/6a in 30 games.
“We thought adding a suitable striker was an area we could improve on,” said Krneta. “We have Karol, who [head coach Christian] Lattanzio likes it a lot, but he thinks he is not a typical striker. Maybe he wouldn’t necessarily die for a goal, as he’s a good passer who likes to assist. [Copetti] it’s just another fox in the box. We thought we were missing a 15-goal striker.”
After a shortlist was whittled down to a handful of players – “Enzo was always No. 1,” Krneta said – Charlotte pursued her main target, making a few visits to Argentina not just to observe, but to meet the player and his family. . In winter, Charlotte made a deal.
Świderski relationship
Copetti’s adaptation alongside Świderski will be crucial to the club’s success in 2023.
Charlotte had stray plans to use up her latest DP slot at #10 last summer, but has put those ideas on hold. Lattanzio even tried Świderski as yet another second striker / No. 10 hybrid, a role in which the 25-year-old thrived. They also added a creative midfielder. Nuno Santos from Benfica of Portugal last August, a deal that fell just below the DP threshold to help preserve this spot for the winter.
“The pair will work well,” Krneta said. “Copetti likes to run; it’s a nightmare for defenders. Defenders hate forwards who run a lot. Karol is a very good breeder; he loves to help. I think both will work fine. Karol is very versatile.”
Prior to Copetti’s debut at Racing Club, he was playing in Argentina’s second division for Atlético de Rafaela. It wasn’t until 2021 – its 25th birthday season – that Copetti really blossomed.
“He started late and went through the second division,” said Krneta. “He is a player who runs all the time, doesn’t stop. He attacks spaces all the time, which is exactly the type of player we want. He is also hungry. We want hungry players, players who have something to prove and want to do more.”
Copetti joins a strike group headed by the three DPs, but also includes some MLS veterans (Andre Shinyashiki and Yordy Reyna), as well as two U22 Initiative signings: Kerwin Vargas and Vinícius Mello. This helped inform the club to look for an in-prime striker DP rather than a Young DP, having also sold striker Daniel Rios to Liga MX side Chivas last month.
“Vini Mello is a talented young Brazilian who is only 20 years old,” said Krneta. “We wanted someone a little older. We didn’t want to cast someone who was 21 or 22. We wanted more experience on this team. Last year we lacked a bit of experience, good professionals who don’t bother about anything.”
westwood fit
Charlotte’s other key senior signing this offseason came via a veteran midfielder. Ashley Westwood, arriving on a free transfer from Burnley, a club in the now English Premier League (second division). Experience is something he has in spades.
The 32-year-old made 286 Premier League appearances, including 28 during the 2021-22 campaign, until a broken ankle ended his season. Westwood returned to training in December with Burnley, has played in two friendlies behind closed doors and is a full participant in Charlotte’s early pre-season camp.
“In addition to young players, you need to have leaders,” Krneta said. “We lost one on the field with Christian Fuchs – although we kept him as coach – but we needed to reinforce the lead in the player pool. Ashley is it. He has had nearly 300 Premier League appearances and is a universally beloved player. Since he joined us, I’ve had a huge number of calls from players about him.”
Westwood will likely play a significant role this season alongside Brandt Bronico in midfield, with Derrick Jonessaints and Ben Bender all competing for minutes too.
“[Westwood] it’s versatile,” said Krneta. “He can play as No. 6 or No. 8 and is a set-piece specialist; this is something we needed too. He has a fantastic understanding of the game.”
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