MLS 2021 Expansion Draft results for the new franchise Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC picked up 5 players, 2 of whom were traded for allocation money. LAFC defender Tristan Blackmon and New York City FC forward Ismael Tajouri-Shradi were immediately traded away. Charlotte sent Blackmon to the Vancouver Whitecaps for $350,000 in General Allocation Money for 2022, and another $125,000 in GAM for 2023. Tajouri-Shradi, fresh off winning MLS Cup with NYCFC, was sent to LAFC in exchange for $400,000 in GAM.

"It's flexibility. It gives us the chance to slowly continue building the squad and gives us the flexibility to pick the players we really want to pick," Krneta said on the draft broadcast about the cash acquired. "It gives us a kind of independence where we are in control, rather than the players or the agents or other clubs."

Picked up players to stay at Charlotte FC

Anton Walkes, Joseph Mora and McKinze Gaines headlined the five total selections made by the expansion side, who continued a busy week of roster building after several moves over the past two days.

Charlotte started the draft by selecting Austin FC midfielder McKinzie Gaines. Gaines, 23, has spent most of his career in Germany, playing for the likes of Darmstadt 98, FSV Zwickau, SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach, and Hannover 96 before coming to MLS where he played last season for Austin.

Walkes was the club’s second overall pick of the night, being selected from Atlanta United. The England-born defender totaled 71 appearances with the Five Stripes since joining the club in 2017 from Premier League side Tottenham. Walkes has also played with the English club Portsmouth during his professional career.

The 28-year-old Mora rounded out the selections, bringing veteran experience both on and off the field. Mora, a Costa Rican international, mainly featured at left-back for D.C. United totaling 99 appearances from 2018-21.

Charlotte FC could only pick a single player from any one team's unprotected list. And any team that had a player claimed from its roster will be granted $50,000 in general allocation money from the league as compensation.

Charlotte FC 2022 Roster

Updated as of Dec. 14

Goalkeepers (1): Pablo Sisniega

Defenders (7): Adam Armour, Christian Fuchs, Corujo Guzman, Jaylin Lindsey, Joseph Mora, Jan Sobocinski, Anton Walkes

Midfielders (4): Jordy Alcivar, Brandt Bronico, Riley McGree, Sergio Ruiz

Forwards (2): McKinze Gaines, Vinicius Mello

Charlotte FC will continue to plug away at its roster via free agency and the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, which is scheduled for January 11. The newest club to join the league will open its inaugural season on Feb. 26 at D.C. and will host the LA Galaxy in its home opener on March 5.