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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
You can follow @WhatTheFCpod.
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