Allan Saint-Maximin, Idan Toklomati and Liel Abada – the heads of Charlotte FC’s attack.
When Head Coach Dean Smith has his choice of players, this trio starts up front in the 4-3-3 formation. Since the introduction of Saint-Maximin to the lineup sheet on September 15, Charlotte FC’s attack has been daunting for the opposition to face.
Charlotte FC has scored 12 goals in the six matches since Saint-Maximin was put into the starting lineup. If you add the two matches (Columbus and Toronto) in which he was subbed into the game, The Crown has scored 18 goals in eight matches – the most in a nine-match stretch for Charlotte FC this season and with one less match played.
In that time, Saint-Maximin has a goal and five assists, all either to Toklomati or Abada, while Toklomati has scored four goals and Abada has four goals and two assists. The trio have collectively averaged 1.12 goal contributions per match and have accounted for 50 percent of The Crown’s goals in the eight-match stretch.
While the eight-match sample size is all that Saint-Maximin has in his short Charlotte FC career, it’s been a season-best stretch for Abada and Toklomati. Abada’s six goal contributions (4G+2A) have brought his season total to 10 (5G+5A), two away from his career-high with Charlotte FC for goals and adding to his career-high in assists.
For Toklomati, it’s the fourth time with Charlotte FC he has scored in back-to-back matches, doing so against CF Montréal and FC Cincinnati. He scored his four goals within a six-match span, leading to the best stretch statistically he has had this season.
It’s no coincidence that the productive stretch for the front three resulted in an eight-match unbeaten streak for Charlotte FC, where they went 5-0-3.
Part of what has helped The Crown find success has been Saint-Maximin’s prowess on the ball and his ability to change a match in an instant. When he has been on the field, his technique and speed have forced opposing teams to put more of a focus on him to limit his ability. Some teams have shaded Saint-Maximin with multiple defenders, which has allowed Toklomati and Abada to thrive and find more space in the final third.
An example comes from Charlotte FC’s 2-0 win against Atlanta United on August 29, when Saint-Maximin notched his first two assists for the Club and Abada and Toklomati both scored a goal.
On his first assist, Saint-Maximin ran down the left wing and beat his man. Atlanta’s right back came to cover the French winger while the rest of the defense was looking at him, allowing Pep Biel to make a run undetected. Saint-Maximin saw this and put in a ball to Biel who deflected it right to Toklomati for an easy tap-in.
In the second half, Saint-Maximin’s presence again made Atlanta’s defense stand and watch, neglecting the threat of the rest of Charlotte’s attack. Saint-Maximin evaded three defenders and put a through ball into the box, allowing Abada to run onto it. Abada gathered the ball, stepped over to the left and lost his defender before banging the shot into the left corner.
Charlotte FC’s playoff hopes rest heavily on the scoring prowess of their revitalized front three as the regular season winds down. If Saint-Maximin, Toklomati and Abada can maintain the level of cohesion and output they’ve had since the World Cup break ended, The Crown may be poised for their most successful postseason yet.
NEXT AT HOME
OCTOBER 10 @ 7:30 PM // CHARLOTTE VS. DALLAS
Join Charlotte FC on Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 PM as they take on FC Dallas at Bank of America Stadium. The first fans to arrive will receive the limited-edition Hooded Scarf presented by Blue Cross NC.
Limited quantities are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis and aren't guaranteed.
