- Karol Swiderski is Charlotte FC’s all-time leading scorer with 28 goals in MLS play.
- Ashley Westwood has been a midfield stalwart since arriving from the Premier League.
- Forward Patrick Agyemang brings promise after breaking into the USMNT.
Charlotte FC has improved year over year in its first three MLS campaigns, and its recent acquisitions of high-profile players like Wilfried Zaha and Tim Ream make it one of the teams I’m keeping an eye on in the MLS odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook this season.
Given the pedigrees of the Ivorian forward and American centre back, it wouldn’t be surprising if they make this list one day. However, since their journeys at the club are just getting started, it’s too soon to make that determination.
With that in mind, here is my list of the best five Charlotte FC players in its MLS history thus far.
5 Best Charlotte FC MLS Players, Ranked
| Rank | Player | Position | Charlotte FC Years |
| 1 | Karol Swiderski | Forward | 2022-2025 |
| 2 | Ashley Westwood | Midfielder | 2023-Present |
| 3 | Patrick Agyemang | Forward | 2023-Present |
| 4 | Adilson Malanda | Defender | 2022-Present |
| 5 | Christian Fuchs | Defender | 2022 |
Charlotte FC All-Time Greatest Players
1. Karol Swiderski
When I bet on soccer games, I typically want to back teams with a clinical forward leading the attack. Swiderski filled that role during his stint in Charlotte, scoring 28 times in 71 MLS appearances.
The Polish international was CLTFC’s first Designated Player and made an instant impact up front, notching double-digit goals in each of his first two seasons.
Swiderski, who transferred to Greek side Panathinaikos FC in January 2025, remains the club’s all-time leading scorer and played a vital role in its early days.
2. Ashley Westwood
Westwood joined Charlotte in 2023 after spending a decade in the Premier League with Aston Villa and Burnley, giving the side a midfield engine and veteran leadership.
The current club captain has produced five goals and 10 assists across his first two MLS campaigns, including a team-high six assists last year.
The English playmaker ranked second for CLTFC in passes completed each of the last two seasons, with only Adilson Malanda (who I’ll discuss in a minute) having more.
3. Patrick Agyemang
Charlotte selected Agyemang with the 12th pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, and it appears to have found a gem.
The Connecticut native had a breakout 2024 campaign, leading the team with 10 goals and adding five assists. Those performances led to a USMNT debut against Venezuela in January, delivering a goal in a 3-1 victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Since he’s only 24 years old, Agyemang has the potential to climb this list and cement his legacy as a Charlotte FC legend.
4. Adilson Malanda
Malanda has been vital to Charlotte’s defence since joining from Ligue 2’s Rodez AF in August 2022.
The centre back made over 60 starts across the last two seasons, leading the team in clearances and passes completed in each.
The Frenchman’s 2024 campaign was particularly impressive, as he helped Charlotte concede just 37 goals in 34 games and keep 13 clean sheets while setting a new career-high in minutes played.
If Malanda and his centre back partner, Andrew Privett, also in his early 20s, produce more seasons like that, they’ll both be climbing this list.
5. Christian Fuchs
Fuchs only played one season for Charlotte, but the Austrian full back served as captain in its debut MLS campaign and continues to play a role as an assistant on Dean Smith’s coaching staff.
He was an instant fan favourite after joining from Leicester City, where he won the Premier League title during a six-year stay. And it wasn’t only because of his fun-to-say surname.
Fuchs scored three times and provided an assist in his 26 MLS appearances, but his role as an ambassador for the club far outweighed his on-field production.
