New star player embracing Charlotte
Winger Liel Abada welcomed by Bank of America ovation and fan event, ready to make his mark on field, plus New England coach's bold prediction, Bronico's return and previewing New England
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New Israeli winger relishes fan attention as he adjusts to life in the U.S. and prepares for more action on the field
Liel Abada mingled with Charlotte FC fans Tuesday night — in this case, members of the Carolina Hooliganz Supporters Group. (Photo courtesy of Charlotte FC)
Given the circumstances of his departure from Scotland, star winger Liel Abada’s introduction to Charlotte was important. Caught up in a political firestorm after the war in his native Israel broke out — between a segment of Celtic fans’ protesting for Palestine and pressure to leave from Israelis back home — Abada was eager for a clean slate. What he found in his first five days as a member of Charlotte FC was open arms.
After being greeted at the airport by a dedicated and resourceful fan, Gregg Franco, who helped Abada and his girlfriend get their suitcases to the car, Abada got the slap-on-the-back birthday-tunnel treatment from his new teammates in his first practice Friday. Then on Saturday night, he got a rousing ovation from 30,000-plus fans at Bank of America Stadium after he came off the bench for his MLS debut.
On Tuesday night, after his introductory press conference with local media, Abada was adorned by scarves from each of the five main Charlotte FC fan groups. Then he mingled and smiled for photos with nearly 100 fans, 20 of whom were invited from each supporters group.
It was hard to tell who was enjoying it more — Charlotte FC fans eager to welcome him as a new designated player (signed without regard to salary cap), having watched previous DPs Karol Swiderski and Kamil Jozwiak depart for Europe during the preseason, or Abada.
“I got support from the fans, from people at my home in Israel, so I feel really good,” he said. “I just want to keep going, to help the team, to learn more, to work hard.”
In just 29 minutes on the field in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with FC Cincinnati, Abada showed a direct — and fast — approach, which is why Charlotte FC paid Celtic FC a record $8 million transfer fee for him. With his first touch, Abada dribbled on a line straight toward the 18-yard box, and in a matter of six seconds had drawn a foul, a yellow card, a free kick and a hug from captain Ashley Westwood, who told him “Welcome to MLS.”
Abada left defenders in his wake Saturday. (Photo by Kevin Young/The 5 and 2 Project)
The moment was also symbolic of how Abada seems to have approached this transition too — he’s taking off and not looking back. Abada started his new life with little but three big roller bags, his girlfriend and a good attitude.
“I had an amazing time with Celtic, I’m not going to lie to you, but after the war started it was a really, really hard time for me,” said Abada, the first Charlotte FC player to don a suit and tie at his introductory press conference. “But … I got so much support from (Celtic coach) Brendan Rodgers and the club and players and it really helped me. I spoke with the club. We made the decision together, what was best for me and what was best for the club, and now I’m really happy to be here and really excited to start my journey here.”
Abada started engaging Charlotte fans on Instagram before his plane took off from Tel Aviv last Thursday. On Sunday night he sat courtside at a Charlotte Hornets game with Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, with whom he shares an agent and a love for basketball.
Judging by his girlfriend Bar Rashti’s Instagram account, they’ve visited SouthPark Mall, eaten salmon at RH Rooftop Restaurant in Phillips Place, and gone to see the Israeli standup comedian Asar Mor Yosef, whose U.S. tour just happened to come through Charlotte Wednesday night.
Abada and Rashti have settled into an uptown high-rise condo, where several other Charlotte players live, and they’ve been introduced to members of Charlotte’s Jewish community. A friend of real estate developer Daniel Levine hosted them at Tuesday’s fan event at the state-of-the-art practice facility on property Levine is leasing Charlotte FC owner David Tepper.
“Charlotte is an amazing city,” Abada said. “I walk in the street, it’s really nice. The people are nice, the stadium, the atmosphere is really, really nice.”
Abada is only 22 years old, but if it seems like he’s taking this move in stride, consider this: when he first left Israel to play for Celtic in Glasgow, Scotland, he was 19 years old and didn’t speak English. When addressing media and fans on Tuesday, he sounded fluent.
The way Abada made it sound, Charlotte has done its part to welcome him. Now it’s his turn to return the sentiment.
When Charlotte FC podcast host Nic Finelli asked him what the Charlotte community could do to make him feel welcome, Abada said: “I think I need to help them. I came here. I got so much support, so much respect. It’s my time now to bring myself to the team, to the pitch, and really add to the team.”
Liel Abada posing with his girlfriend Bar Rashti at a fan event Tuesday at Atrium Health Performance Park. (Photo courtesy of Charlotte FC)
Say what? New England coach guarantees victory over Charlotte FC Saturday on Boston radio show
So apparently bulletin board material isn’t just for American football. New England coach Caleb Porter was wrapping up a call on a Boston radio station Thursday when he dropped this gem, unprompted:
“All right guys, we’re going to get a win Saturday,” he told 98.5 The Sports Hub, as he was signing off. “I promise that. Yep, take care.”
It was a bold and seemingly calculated statement to make in general. Bolder still for a coach whose team is sitting at the bottom of the MLS standings. New England is in 29th place and dead last in the MLS “table” after going winless in its first five games, with four losses and a draw. New England hosts Charlotte Saturday night in Foxborough, Mass.
Blessedly, the comment was made and transmitted over social media in time for Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith to be asked about it in his weekly press conference Thursday afternoon. Sam Spencer of SoccerSheet.com did the honors.
“He shouldn’t make promises he might not be able to keep,” said Smith, who paused after his response to shrug, then smile. “Not a great statement to make if that’s down to your team and not something you can actually keep.”
This isn’t exactly a rookie move either. Porter is a two-time MLS Cup-winning coach with both Portland (2015) and Columbus (2020). He was hired by New England in December to replace Bruce Arena, who resigned after MLS investigated allegations that he made “insensitive and inappropriate remarks.” Whether Porter’s apparent attempt to motivate his team backfires or takes hold makes Saturday’s matchup all the more interesting — and social media all the more fun in the meantime.
Bronico back in good health, pushing for playing time
Midfielder Brandt Bronico returned to action in the final moments Saturday vs. FC Cincinnati. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Young/The 5 and 2 Project)
Midfielder Brandt Bronico is back from a quadriceps injury that kept him out all preseason, saying Wednesday: “It feels like I have a brand-new quad … I feel like myself again.”
While Abada’s debut off the bench Saturday overshadowed Bronico’s return — Bronico entered the game with just a minute to go in stoppage time — his return will certainly up the ante in the midfield. Captain Ashley Westwood and newcomer Djibril Diani have been playing well as a “double pivot” of defensive midfielders. But Bronico doesn’t shy away from pushing for playing time.
“I like to say, ‘competition breeds excellence,’” Bronico said. “I always love a challenge where I get to compete. We'll make each other better every single day and push each other and see who gets a starting spot week after week.”
With Bronico’s return and Scott Arfield back from a minor hamstring injury as well — not to mention Enzo Copetti’s return at striker — Smith is happy to have more options off the bench.
“That’s the beauty of it and that’s what I want,” Smith said when asked if Bronico is giving him decisions to make. “I want to be thinking about things. For the first three or four games, the team picked itself, so to speak, and the bench picked itself. Now we can actually change things a little bit. I’ll have to upset a few people (with lineup decisions) but that’s the beauty of my job.”
Bender progressing: In other injury news, Ben Bender joined Charlotte FC in some passing drills in practice Thursday, which is a step forward in his recovery from knee (meniscus repair) surgery. Smith said Thursday he hopes to integrate Bender into the full team practices in the next couple of weeks. Bender has been out of action since last September 20th.
Up Next: Charlotte FC (2-2-2) at New England Revolution (0-4-1)
When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
How to watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Find information about how to subscribe for the season here.
How to listen: WFNZ 92.7 in English, WOLS 106.1 in Spanish.
Notable:
After collecting four points in two games at home, with a win over Columbus and a draw vs. FC Cincinnati, Charlotte FC is back on the road where the team is winless this season. Charlotte is 0-2-1 away from home, with a draw in Vancouver and losses in Toronto and Nashville.
Coach Dean Smith was undecided Thursday whether he’d start new winger Liel Abada, who is still working his way back into fitness after making the jump from Scotland to MLS. He played 45 minutes Monday in a scrimmage vs. North Carolina FC of USL Championship. “I haven’t decided not to start him,” Smith said. “I’m just not sure whether he is ready.”
New England played a game Wednesday in the Concacaf Champions Cup, losing 4-0 to Club America of Liga MX at home in the quarterfinals, which means Charlotte should have fresher legs.
Carroll Walton is a longtime baseball writer with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution now in her third season covering Charlotte FC. She would love to hear from you. E-mail her with questions, suggestions, story ideas and comments!
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So glad Broni is back. Let the games begin