By Favian Renkel
Charlotte FC opens their Leagues Cup 2025 campaign against FC Juárez at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- 1st matchup all-time
- Matchup will be played at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Record at Leagues Cup: Charlotte (5-2), Juarez (3-3)
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- Charlotte FC:
- 4 Wins, 1 Draw, 0 Losses
- Has scored 11 goals in their last 5 games
- FC Juarez:
- 0 Wins, 2 Draws, 3 Losses
- 3 Red Cards in their last 5 games
MAIN STORYLINES:
- Charlotte FC has won four straight games, one more and it would mark the longest winning in club history
- What does Charlotte's attack look like after Patrick Agyemang left the club
- With talk of clubs resting players ongoing, will Charlotte FC play their main squad
- Can Wilfried Zaha use a fresh tournament like Leagues Cup to live up to his potential?
- FC Juarez is currently on a 8-game winless streak and seek their first win since March
KEY FACTORS:
- Charlotte FC:
- NYCFC has had a good record at Sports Illustrated Stadium, winning two of the last three games.
- Will Matt Freese be needed in penalties?
- Can NYCFC run up the score for the much-needed Goal differential?
- FC Juarez:
- Can FC Juarez score more than one goal for the first time this season in Leagues Cup?
- FC Juarez has gotten 3 red cards in the last five matches. Can they keep 11 players on the pitch during their Leagues Cup matches?
- Can FC Juarez pull off an upset for their first win of the season?
WHAT TO EXPECT?
With the tournament’s revamped format, every group-stage match carries added weight. The margin for error is slim, and goal differential could play a decisive role in determining which teams advance from Phase 1, especially if multiple sides finish with identical records. While some MLS clubs have opted to rotate heavily in their opening matches, Charlotte enters the tournament on a five-match unbeaten run in league play and could become the latest in-form team to falter—depending on how head coach Dean Smith approaches squad selection.
Charlotte will be without one of its most important players from recent seasons. Striker Patrick Agyemang, who featured in six Leagues Cup matches for the club, recently departed for Europe, leaving a void in the attack. His absence raises the question of who will step up in his place. Twenty-year-old Idan Toklomati is one player to watch as he looks to make an impact with increased responsibilities. The striker will need to adjust quickly with the team relying on him to fill Agyemang’s role.
Fortunately for Charlotte, several of its top contributors remain in the squad. Midfielder Pep Biel has been playing at an elite level this season, with many around the league considering the Spaniard an All-Star snub. He’s joined by European standout Wilfried Zaha and U.S. international Tim Ream—two experienced players capable of anchoring the side on both ends of the pitch.
Charlotte failed to advance past the group stage in last year’s tournament. But if Smith opts to start his strongest lineup and takes care of business against Juárez, the club could be in prime position to move forward.
On the other side, FC Juárez enters the match in poor form. The Liga MX side is winless in its last eight games and some of those game were under now manager Martín Varini. Despite its current struggles, Juárez has shown flashes in past editions of Leagues Cup, with group-stage wins against MLS clubs in the last two years. However, they are also remembered for being on the wrong side of tournament history, having suffered a 7-1 defeat to LAFC—one of the largest margins in Leagues Cup history.
Juárez has yet to win a competitive match this season, and the pressure is mounting. If the club hopes to avoid another early exit, it will need to turn things around quickly.
Charlotte FC boasts the roster depth, form, and home-field advantage to make a statement in its Leagues Cup campaign opener. But with an integral piece in Agyemang now gone and Juárez desperate to end its slump, Smith’s tactical choices and player performances will determine whether Charlotte takes control of the group or risks another early exit.
