Charlotte FC's transfer gamble might be about to pay off big | OneFootball

Despite being in the bottom half of the current MLS Eastern Conference playoff picture, Charlotte FC believes in themselves. And why not?

They sit just a few points below Nashville SC, Inter Miami, Orlando City SC, and Columbus Crew. As of Thursday, Charlotte FC has scored more goes than Nashville and Columbus while allowing less goals than Orlando and Miami.

Essentially, Charlotte FC has a chance to make waves this postseason. After all, the top three teams in last year's MLS Eastern Conference playoffs were upset in the first round.

With that in mind, Charlotte FC got aggressive ahead of the deadline before the second transfer window close. Here are the three additions the seventh-best team in the East added.

Charlotte FC v Real Salt Lake | Cory Knowlton/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Adilson Malanda

Malanda is one of two players to be added by Charlotte FC this week. In this case, the 23-year-old center back was added back.

He signed for Middlesbrough of the EFL Championship club, with the fee being undisclosed. He was loaned back to Charlotte FC for the remainder of the MLS season.

Malanda has scored twice in his 75 previous appearances with Charlotte FC, dating back since 2022.

Inter Miami CF v FC Dallas | Rich Storry/GettyImages

Drake Callender

For the price of $750,000, Inter Miami was willing to part ways with Callender, one of their goalkeepers. The 27-year-old player joins Charlotte FC, who enter the weekend at 14-2-11.

A member of Inter Miami since 2020, Callender has played in 92 games during his tenure with his original MLS club. He won the Best Goalkeeper Award in the 2023 Leagues Cup.

Callender provides depth in goal behind starting keeper Kristijan Kahlina and backup David Bingham.

A-League Men Rd 8 - Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United | Scott Gardiner/GettyImages

Archie Goodwin

The 20-year-old striker has impressed with Adelaide United, a Southern Australian soccer club. Goodwin has scored in half of his 32 appearances.

He will add another weapon alongside Pep Biel, who is the leading scorer (10 goals) and also has the most assists (12) for the team. Wilfried Zaha is the runner up in both categories with seven goals and nine assists.

Charlotte FC enters the weekend in seventh place. That's exactly where their next opponent finished the regular season in 2024, ahead of the postseason.