June 7, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release
MLS All-Star season is upon us.
A little over a week ago the ballots opened up for fans to vote who they think belongs on the All-Star team chosen to represent the league in a match against Liga MX’s very own all-stars.
The All-Stars are selected from an even split of votes between fans, media, and current MLS players.
This year, Charlotte FC has some real contenders for making the All-Star team as they currently sit 5th in the Eastern Conference. The Crown also boasts one of the top defenses in the league as they sit tied for fourth in least number of goals conceded and tied first in total clean sheets with seven.
Here’s a look at Charlotte FC’s standout players who deserve a spot on the 2024 All-Star teams:
Ashley Westwood
In many ways, captain Ashley Westwood has become the face of Charlotte FC. Wearing the armband always comes with more pressure, but the Englishman embraced his role, team, and city. He’s led not only led with his words but with his actions as well.
Ashley Westwood has unequivocally established himself as one of the league’s top defensive midfielders this year, showing no signs of slowing down. Remarkably, he is one of the few outfield players to have played every single minute of the season, totaling 1,530 minutes to date (alongside Andrew Privett). During this period, Westwood has covered an impressive 125.1 miles, ranking him second in distance covered among all MLS players.
Not bad for a 34-year-old…
He’s been a true workhorse for the club, excelling not only in endurance but also in possession. As the heartbeat of the midfield, his statistics speak for themselves: he ranks in the 95th percentile among MLS midfielders for total touches and successful passes, the 94th percentile for chances created, and the 97th percentile for accurate long balls. When it comes to distribution, he’s up there with the likes Riqui Puig, Thiago Almada, and Carles Gil as having the 7th most progressive passes in the league.
Moreover, he’s delivered key moments this season, including a “Goal of the Matchday” strike against the Columbus Crew and a decisive game-winning free-kick against the Chicago Fire.
These performances underscore why Westwood has all the qualities of an MLS All-Star.
Kristijan Kahlina
A fan favorite, Kahlina has been a cornerstone of the team since its inception. The Croation has been reliable between the two posts, but he’s showing that even at 31 years old,…
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