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As end of Wilfried Zaha loan approaches in June, Charlotte FC faces possibility of moving on without best player, as contract discussions prolong/draw out/linger
Wilfried Zaha on the ball in home opener against Austin F.C. (Photo by Robert Taylor of The 5 and 2 Project.)
If Major League Soccer’s reasons for switching to a summer-to-spring schedule sounded like rhetoric, they’re coming into focus now. Wilfried Zaha, Charlotte FC’s most dynamic player and most distinguished designated player yet, is down to his last two months under contract, including only about one month of games.
Unless something changes, when the MLS season resumes after the World Cup break in late July, Charlotte FC will be reshaping its roster without Zaha for 19 more games this season, plus the Leagues Cup.
It’s been six weeks since one of Zaha’s agents first arrived in Charlotte to open discussions about a possible extension. A deal has not been reached, which suggests that initial offers didn’t land. Zaha’s wife, Paige Zaha, implied on social media this week that the end was near, captioning a lake picture with: “Omg Only a month and a bit left in Charlotte I’ve enjoyed my time here.”
For their part, both general manager Zoran Krneta and Coach Dean Smith said this week that Charlotte’s potential for reaching an extension with Zaha is not over. Krneta said while Mrs. Zaha was correct because his contract is up, it “doesn’t mean he won’t sign a new one,” Krneta said this week. “I wouldn’t read much into what she said.”
Smith said: “The club is in negotiations with Wilf. Wilf wants to stay here, but conversations that go above my head had to be sorted. All parties have to agree, and those conversations are ongoing.”
Time will tell whether keeping the door open was more about leverage or earnest negotiation. Unlike previous players Charlotte FC has acquired on loan, Zaha is eligible for free agency once it expires.
Zaha was Charlotte’s highest-paid player last year with a $2.7 million guaranteed salary, according to the MLS Player Salary guide. That was only a portion of what he was making with Turkish club Galatasaray. For Zaha, at 33, the length of a contract could be a sticking point as well.
In recent games without Zaha, Charlotte FC’s offense has looked anemic. The Crown lost to Nashville 2-1 last Saturday, scoring its lone goal via penalty kick against a rotated lineup, while Zaha served a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation. Last year, in the first round of the playoffs, Charlotte lost at home to New York City FC 1-0 with Zaha out for a red card suspension.
For Charlotte FC, all things considered, this summer is a good time to buy. The World Cup will bring not only eyes on the U.S. but plenty of roster shuffling and an extended break for flexibility to shop. There are still 19 MLS games remaining, more than half the 34-game season, after the break.
Zaha, Pep Biel and Liel Abada are Charlotte FC’s three designated players. Biel is under contract. Abada is in the final year of his contract and is underproducing as a DP, so Charlotte FC is likely to try to sell him during the summer transfer window. That could give Krneta two DP spots open to reshape his team heading into the fall schedule.
Charlotte FC’s last game before the World Cup break is May 23, and the team doesn’t play again until July 22.
Safe to say under the new MLS schedule, this kind of upheaval – similar to when former DP Karol Swiderski was coming and going midseason in recent years — won’t happen in the middle of a season. Most of the roster will be in place at the beginning of the season, as it is for the top leagues around the world. MLS transfer windows will match up with international windows from next season forward. After a 14-game sprint season in February to May of 2027, Major League Soccer will start the new summer-to-spring schedule in July of next year.
Charlotte FC shines in U.S. Open Cup showdown with Charlotte Independence to advance to Round of 16 vs. Atlanta United
What was billed as the first-ever “Charlotte Derby,” or crosstown showdown between Charlotte FC and USL League One Charlotte Independence, turned out not to be much of a game at all. A red card by Independence goalkeeper Giorgios Tasouris after he collided with striker Archie Goodwin paved the way for a 6-0 blowout. Charlotte FC had goals from six different players and walked off with a date in the Round of 16 against Atlanta United on April 28.
Like Wednesday’s game, the Round of 16 match will be played at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews, which can hold around 4,000 fans. Bank of America Stadium is unavailable due to the April 29 Bruno Mars concert, but it’s also the club’s preference to hold early-round U.S. Open Cup games at smaller venues anyway. The Matthews Sportsplex is where their MLS Next Pro team Crown Legacy plays, which gives the team familiarity with the surface, locker rooms and setup.
Nimfasha Berchimas carrying the ball for Charlotte FC vs. Charlotte Independence. (Photo by Kevin Young of The 5 and 2 Project.)
Some key things to note from the game:
◼️ Berchimas Breakthrough: Nimfasha Berchimas scored his first goal in a first-team appearance with Charlotte FC. The 18-year-old homegrown product, who first signed as a 14-year-old and played three games off the bench as a 16-year-old in 2024, scored a one-touch gem off a cross from winger Rodolfo Aloko. The two, who had each assisted the other for a goal for Crown Legacy before Aloko’s call-up to the first team last week, celebrated with side-by-side roundoff back flips:
A red-hot Berchimas has scored in each of the first six games he’s played this season, including six goals in five games for Crown Legacy.
“Just waiting for the moment and continuing to work hard,” Berchimas said.
This time last year, he was rehabbing from surgery for a broken bone in his foot. This year, he can focus on his progression and what Smith and the other coaches are looking for, and not just on getting healthy.
“Just be clinical,” he said. “Being mature on the field, knowing when to pass, when to make a run in behind, when to dribble. That's what I've been trying to work on.”
Smith has taken notice.
“He's worked extremely hard, and he's maturing as a player, and that's what we want from him to put himself into first-team contention, he said.
◼️ Kessler header: Veteran center back Henry Kessler got his first minutes as a member of Charlotte FC after missing the preseason with a hamstring injury. Kessler played a sound game at center back and got in on the offensive action, too. He scored on a header and was kicking himself for not scoring another.
“He's ready to start playing football games now,” Smith said afterward. “You can see that today. He's a threat in the opposition penalty box as well. … Henry’s putting himself in contention now.”
◼️ Independence connection: Midfielder Brandt Bronico started and played 74 minutes against an Independence club he played a tune-up season for prior to the inaugural Charlotte FC season. He swapped jerseys with former teammate and Independence defender Clay Dimick, who is also a friend. Their sons played together in the stands Wednesday. Six weeks ago, the two families started attending church together every Sunday at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. That’s where they first talked about this crosstown matchup, so the trash-talking was kept to a dull hush.
“Clay and I have been hoping for this matchup,” Bronico had said leading up to Wednesday’s game. “We've only had it in friendly matches. It's going to be a really cool experience for the both of us, and for both teams.”
It just so happened that Bronico’s 14-month old son, Brooks, got his first ever haircut this week, which he took calmly while sitting on his dad’s lap. The styling? He got a mullet, of course, just like his dad.
Matching mullets: Left is 14-month-old Brooks Bronico pictured at Wednesday’s game with his mom, Rebecca, and right is his dad Brandt Bronico at a pre-game presser. (Photos by Carroll Walton)
Aces for Westy
Charlotte FC’s veteran players were well represented at Wednesday night’s game in Matthews, supporting a lineup of younger and reserve teammates. Smith said everyone he gave the night off came to the game, even though he didn’t mandate it. Among those in plain clothes, many of whom brought their kids, were Zaha, Harry Toffolo, Tim Ream, Nathan Byrne and captain Ashley Westwood.
Westwood had plenty more to celebrate than a night off and a 6-0 victory for his Charlotte FC mates. A morning round of golf at his favorite local course, the prestigious and beautiful Quail Hollow Club, turned historical after Westwood hit a hole-in-one on the fourth hole. Westwood hit a “soft 8-iron” 147 yards for the first ace of his life.
“What a feeling,” he said.
Up next: Charlotte FC (3-2-2) vs. New York City FC (3-2-2)
When/Where: Citi Field, Flushing, N.Y.
How to watch: Apple TV. Information about how to subscribe here.
How to listen: WFNZ 92.7 in English, WOLS 106.1 in Spanish.
Notable:
Charlotte wrapped up a stretch of five consecutive games at home with a 2-1 loss to MLS-leading Nashville, which played a handful of reserves to start. The loss was the Crown’s first at The Bank this season.
Charlotte will play its next four MLS games on the road, starting in New York against the team that knocked Charlotte out of the first round of the MLS playoffs. New York City FC won Games 1 and 3 to end Charlotte’s season.
Nicolás Fernández has scored five goals in New York’s first seven games. The Argentinian forward scored a pair of goals to help knock Charlotte out of the playoffs in a 3-1 clincher at The Bank.
Backup striker Archie Goodwin has scored four goals in the last four games including the first of the team’s six goals Wednesday night against Independence. He’s pushing Idan Toklomati for minutes, and perhaps a start.
Charlotte FC’s new center back, Henry Kessler, is making a homecoming, as a native of Manhattan, N.Y.
Carroll Walton is a longtime baseball writer with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution now in her fifth season covering Charlotte FC. She would love to hear from you. E-mail her with questions, suggestions, story ideas and comments!