Charlotte FC's new star Zaha eager to 'make his own history'
10 other things that are new with Charlotte FC heading into Saturday's season-opener in Seattle
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Zaha comes off as a mix of confident and humble in explaining his choice to come to Charlotte FC
New Charlotte FC winger Wilfried Zaha in action at Coachella Valley Invitational. (Photo courtesy of Charlotte FC.)
On the field, with a ball at his feet, Wilfried Zaha looks daunting. Whether it’s been in practice or a preseason exhibition with his new Charlotte FC teammates, the former English Premier League star winger stands out.
In Wednesday’s introductory press conference, though, his voice was not especially loud, his seat was pushed back, and any imposing physical traits were softened in a loose-fitting black and green North Face tracksuit and New York Yankees cap.
If the attire, or at least its color and logos, looked out of place, there’s a reason. Zaha was asked what he missed the most from the belongings he’s waiting to arrive from England. Other than his wife and children, he said, “My clothes. I’m scrambling on clothes right now.”
New Charlotte FC winger Wilfried Zaha meets Charlotte FC media Wednesday. (Photo captured from video by Charlotte FC communications director Woody Wilder.)
Part of this limbo period — waiting for his family, luggage and the start of the season Saturday in Seattle — is not just learning new teammates and a new league but people here learning him. Somehow he’s managing to come off as both humble and supremely confident.
The man everyone is already calling “Wilf” is the biggest name to sign with Charlotte FC in its fourth year of existence. He scored 68 goals in 291 Premier League games with Crystal Palace. But he was understated when he talked about the triple teams he’s faced already this preseason. “I'm 32 now,” he said. “I take it as, I appreciate it. Obviously, you must think I’m decent if you’re going to put a few players [on me].”
He described stints with Turkey’s Galatasaray and France’s Lyon, where his playing time and production declined, as “experiences that make me stronger.”
But then in a video Charlotte FC posted Thursday of Zaha in a photo shoot, he says and repeats for clarity, he’s going to get the “Man of the Match” crown every game.
The overriding impression here of Wednesday’s presser? Zaha came across as authentic.
On leaving Crystal Palace, despite a four-year contract offer: “I've played for my childhood club. I’ve left there on a mural. I feel like there’s nothing more I could have done.”
About his move to Turkey: “When I went to Turkey, everyone’s like, ‘Oh my god, why would you go there?’ But then it’s like, ‘I don’t care what other people think, I just go where I feel like I want to go, and then I make my own history.’ That’s my mentality. I never follow anyone. Once I spoke to spoke to Dean [Smith], the manager, and [GM] Zoran [Krneta] and then yeah, a lot of other people inside, you know what? Yeah, that’s my destination.”
On watching YouTube highlights of Charlotte FC’s games to see the style of play: “I saw Ash’s [Westwood’s] chest and volley [against Columbus]. I saw a few goals. I saw a few things. I thought, ‘This makes sense. It seems decent.’ It was seeing how the team plays and then putting myself in that mix.”
On his conversation with Smith, who pointed out the team’s defensive strengths and offensive needs: “This is perfect. I’m the missing piece of the puzzle.”
After about 25 minutes of Q&A, Zaha was ready to wrap it up. It sounded like he’s been ready.
“There’s only so much I can say,” he said. “We have aspirations as a team to do so much, and I want to repay the fans and everyone for showing faith in me and being so happy that I’m here by just scoring goals. And hopefully we can win some things.”
Zaha putting his powerful right leg on display at Coachella. (Photo courtesy of Charlotte FC.)
Quotable: Ashley Westwood on tough early schedule
Charlotte FC is facing playoff teams from a year ago in its first four games, starting Saturday in Seattle, followed by Atlanta United in the home opener March 1, Inter Miami (and Lionel Messi) on the road March 9 and Cincinnati at home March 15.
Ashley Westwood on the schedule:
Sometimes that’s the best way though. Big games are the ones you want to play in. Seattle is going to be tough. We know that. It’s a long way to travel. But the lads are certainly up for it. There’s a buzz in the air.
10 other changes since last season
Karol Swiderski is playing in Greece. After the better part of two years of will-he-or-won’t-he go to Europe, including six-month loan to the Italian team Hellas Verona, star Karol Swiderski has departed on permanent transfer to Panathinaikos for a reported transfer fee of $2 million. Swiderski leaves with a permanent place in Charlotte FC lore as the first-ever designed player and the team’s career leader with 28 goals in 71 games. He and fellow Polish countrymen Kamil Jozwiak and Jan Sobocinski are is why fans do, and will continue, the Poznan back-to-the-field chant before kickoff.
Agyemang emerges on national stage: In case you missed it, Charlotte FC striker Patrick Agyemang had the offseason of his life, earning a call-up to the U.S. Men’s National team camp and scoring a goal in each of their two exhibition games against Venezuela and Costa Rica. Multiple English Championship teams came to call for his services, which Charlotte FC declined. GM Zoran Krneta told WFNZ this week he has no intention of selling Agyemang now or this summer.
Biel back and Williamson joins midfield: Pep Biel wanted to return after a three-month trial run and did, signing on a non-DP contract, which means Charlotte still has a designated player spot to use this transfer window, or more likely later in the summer. Biel missed time with a minor knee injury this preseason, but has been back in action for three preseason games. Charlotte also traded for 27-year-old ballhandling midfielder Eryk Williamson, a product of the University of Maryland, via trade from the Portland Timbers.
A closer look at the new "Fortress kit” from Charlotte FC’s X account. (Graphic courtesy of Charlotte FC.)
Annual jersey unveiling: This year’s alternative jersey, so-dubbed the “Fortress kit,” is reminiscent of the Mint kit, Charlotte FC’s popular inaugural alternate jersey that was black with mint green stripes. The new Fortress kit, which Zaha revealed trading jerseys with Charlotte Hornets players, is getting rave reviews for its detailing. It’s sleek black with a silver gothic style print, building off of the Queen Charlotte analogy and Bank of America Stadium as a fortress. The jersey features the team’s secondary CLTFC logo and castle-inspired tag on the back.
Charman departs, Witte begins as radio color analyst: After three years as Charlotte FC’s radio color voice, Jessica Charman left Charlotte for TV broadcasting opportunities with the National Women’s Soccer League and the United Soccer League. Replacing her in the radio booth for Charlotte FC is Anna Witte, who has broadcast games in the NWSL, USL and in college soccer. Witte, pronounced Witt-y, grew up in Cary, N.C., and played soccer for Penn State.
Brandt Bronico and his wife Rebecca introduce their son Brooks Beatty Bronico, weighing in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces. (Photo from Bronico’s Instagram account.)
Papa Power: Midfielder Brandt Bronico scored three goals during the preseason, which is about three more than he’s scored in the last three preseasons with Charlotte FC. It’s been a productive month for the midfielder with the unstoppable motor, in more ways than one. His wife, Rebecca, gave birth to their first child, son Brooks Beatty Bronico, on Feb. 2. The affable Bronico attributed his goal flurry at the Coachella Invitational to “dad power” complete with arm flexing arm emoji. We’d like to add an assist to the sleep-deprived mom at home caring for the newborn. (Wink)
Bender wins preseason fitness run: Fan favorite Ben Bender is trying to reclaim a role with Charlotte FC after struggling to regain form following knee surgery. He started the preseason with an eye-opener: He beat the usual pace-setter, Bronico, in the fitness test. He did it when Bronico beat his personal best by eight seconds. “I saw him next to me,” Bronico said. “I was like ‘There’s no way he’s going to keep up.’ But he just kept going…he started to pass me and I was like ‘Dang, he wanted it.’ It’s awesome from him.”
What happened to….: This winter has seen some other significant departures:
Joe LaBue, who took over as club president a few months into the inaugural season, and helped establish the franchise and fan culture, was let go in a front office reorganization. Right back Jaylin Lindsey, the Charlotte native and one of the club’s original players, did not have his option picked up. Left back Jere Uronen, the Finnish national whose playing time was cut with the signing of Tim Ream, returned to Europe to play for AIK of Stockholm.
Schedule changes: The Leagues Cup tournament format is changing to include only 18 MLS teams (the playoff qualifiers from the previous season) and all 18 teams in the Mexican League, Liga MX. The first phase exclusively features matchups between teams from MLS and Liga MX. Also, the knockout rounds will be played primarily on Wednesdays, so MLS won’t take an extended break in August. Also, Charlotte FC is back in the U.S. Open Cup after being represented by Crown Legacy FC last year. The field used to include every MLS team but now features a combination of MLS and MLS Next Pro teams.
In other news: Academy phenom Nimfasha Berchimas, who turns 17 on Saturday (Happy Birthday), earned a trial with Manchester United U18s in December, and scored in an exhibition against Burnley. Coach Dean Smith’s son Jamie is now playing center back for Crown Legacy FC. (He was previously with the Greenville Triumph of USL League One.) Irishman Gary Dicker has taken over as head coach for Crown Legacy, which won their first preseason tournament under him in Croatia.
Up Next: Charlotte FC at Seattle Sounders
When/Where: 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Lumen Field, Seattle
How to watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Find information about how to subscribe for the season here.
How to listen: WBT 1110 AM.
Notable:
Charlotte opens on the road against a Seattle team that made it to the Western Conference finals last year before losing to eventual MLS Cup champion L.A. Galaxy. Seattle has added two new impact players via trade from FC Dallas in Paul Arriola and Jesus Ferreira.
Don’t be surprised if it’s a low-scoring affair. Seattle had the No. 1 defense in MLS last season (35 goals allowed) and Charlotte FC had No. 2 (37 goals).
This is Charlotte FC’s first trip to Seattle since losing 2-1 May 29, 2022. That was the last game before Miguel Angel Ramirez was fired 14 games into the inaugural season after he’d lost trust within the locker room.
Reserves Brandon Cambridge and Jahlane Forbes are both out with hamstring injuries. The club signed first round draft pick Mikah Thomas to a first team contract. He’ll add depth at left back, a position the team is still looking to fill.
Carroll Walton is a longtime baseball writer with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution now in her fourth 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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