Here’s the interesting talking point surrounding @CharlotteFC player signing news of a new Polish player:
The lack of focus thus far on South/Central Americans. This is something we discussed on @cltfcfantv upcoming episode with @topbin90
(THREAD 1/10)
The lack of focus thus far on South/Central Americans. This is something we discussed on @cltfcfantv upcoming episode with @topbin90

South America, especially, has become a hotbed for talent identification. Look at the last 3 MLS Cup champions & their major stars:
2018 - @ATLUTD (Josef
, Almiron
)
2019 - @SoundersFC (Lodeiro
, Ruidiaz
)
2020 - @ColumbusCrewSC (Zelarayon
)
(2/10)
2018 - @ATLUTD (Josef


2019 - @SoundersFC (Lodeiro


2020 - @ColumbusCrewSC (Zelarayon

(2/10)
Clearly, those teams also have plenty of talent from other regions of the world, but its obvious that MLS has thrived off being a “launch pad” for South American talent. Just look at the @fccincinnati signing of
youth int’l Brenner for this perception shift. (3/10)

@CharlotteFC so far has not focused on this market. Current players include:
- Sergio Ruiz (
)
- Riley McGree (
)
- Brandt Bronico (
)
- Unknown player (
)
(4/10)
- Sergio Ruiz (

- Riley McGree (

- Brandt Bronico (

- Unknown player (

(4/10)
At 1st glance there seems to be a reason why: Sporting Director Zoran Krneta is Serbian
and his global scouting/agent business is most well-known for advancing players such as Jovic (
) & Milinkovic-Savic (
). (5/10)



Also, scouting team:
- Scouting Director: Thomas Schaling (Dutch
experience)
- Special Advisor: Steve Walsh (highly respected British
experience).
- Scouts: Lisandro Isei (based in
), Davor Brasanac (based in
), & Vincent Van Raam (data analysis,
nationality). (6/10)
- Scouting Director: Thomas Schaling (Dutch

- Special Advisor: Steve Walsh (highly respected British

- Scouts: Lisandro Isei (based in



However, look at this.
- Zoran Krneta’s player agent business also advanced NYCFC’s Brazilian
striker Heber
- Thomas Schaling grew up in Caribbean island of Aruba and is respected for his knowledge of Latin America. He brought Guardado
and Lozano
to PSV Eindhoven. (7/10)
- Zoran Krneta’s player agent business also advanced NYCFC’s Brazilian

- Thomas Schaling grew up in Caribbean island of Aruba and is respected for his knowledge of Latin America. He brought Guardado


Also, this quote from back in May 2020 by Zoran Krneta in a @cboehm article.
“We’ve been scouting all over the world; there is not really a continent where we don’t have potential targets right now”. (8/10)
“We’ve been scouting all over the world; there is not really a continent where we don’t have potential targets right now”. (8/10)
Clearly, Zrneta, Schaling, and co. have global networks. It’s likely too shallow to think they won’t recruit S. America due to their past experience/nationality.
It will be interesting to see what direction they go in as player/coach signings trickle in throughout 2021. (9/10)
It will be interesting to see what direction they go in as player/coach signings trickle in throughout 2021. (9/10)
What direction do you guys think #cltfc will go moving forward? And, importantly, which way do you WANT them to go?
(Got lot of info for this thread from @RyanJayBailey articles)
@Regal_Soccer, @topbin90, @cltfcfantv, @MintCityColl curious to know what everyone thinks! (10/10)
(Got lot of info for this thread from @RyanJayBailey articles)
@Regal_Soccer, @topbin90, @cltfcfantv, @MintCityColl curious to know what everyone thinks! (10/10)