Honestly unexpected but gives Tuiloma a change of scenery, a taste of an another American city, and keeps him playing in the MLS. Can't wait to see him hopefully score some free kicks in Charlotte colours.
Huge payday for Portland, fans seem understandably upset that a guy who's become somewhat of a pillar of the club has gone. Did a lot for the community and kids, and was certainly a favourite.
Charlotte fans seem to know what they've got, they're very happy with the trade. Seems to be a replacement for Anton Walkes, a stalwart who tragically passed away during the offseason. Portland have a great young CB coming through in Zak McGraw, so Bill's minutes may not have been as assured as past season - I like the move
Huge payday for Portland, fans seem understandably upset that a guy who's become somewhat of a pillar of the club has gone. Did a lot for the community and kids, and was certainly a favourite.
Charlotte fans seem to know what they've got, they're very happy with the trade. Seems to be a replacement for Anton Walkes, a stalwart who tragically passed away during the offseason. Portland have a great young CB coming through in Zak McGraw, so Bill's minutes may not have been as assured as past season - I like the move
They've given him a lot of responsibility to quarterback things from CB. Had a decent long range shot that went just wide, but also a couple of poor clearances including one that lead to NE's goal.
Bill is a great attacking CB. Whether from free kicks, or headers with his fantastic leap. He was a goal scoring machine for Portland first half of last season leading into the big CR playoff game.
But he's always capable of 2-3 defensive errors per game. I think that means the MLS, and possibly ALM once he's a bit old for the MLS will be his ceiling.
Edit - Charlotte start season with a 0-1 loss. BT full game.
Full game for Billy T in a 3-1 loss. He (no 6 this season) had a nice header but unfortunately into Charlotte's goal for an Oggie, to bring St Louis City back to 1-1.
Charlotte (last in the East) with a 0-3 loss to Atlanta (1st). Full game Tuiloma. Looks like a good decision to bypass the AWs this window, with his team struggling.
Calvin Harris is at the Rapids now. He hasn't got off the bench for them this season, but played a few times for their II team in MLS Next Pro league.
He was I think a No 2 pick in their MLS Draft and highly touted from his college career. But at age 23, his MLS career (admittedly injury blighted) hasn't come to much at all yet. 1 goal in 24 games at Cincinnati. https://us.soccerway.com/players/calvin-harris/576966/
The good news is that Charlotte FC cruised through their US Open Cup tie against South Georgia Tormenta with a 4-1 victory. The bad news is that Bill Tuiloma limped off injured after twenty minutes. A right thigh injury is the official word and according to the coach it could keep him out for a pesky while. They also lost star winger Kamil Jozwiak to injury in the same game and the coach addressed that in his subsequent press conference.
Christian Lattanzio, Charlotte coach: “They did the MRI yesterday and it’s more or less what the medical department thought. We hope to have Kamil back within seven, maximum ten days. For Bill it will take a little bit longer. We’ll see how it will progress. I spoke with both of them personally and they feel pretty good, better than they thought. But sometimes that feeling doesn’t match the time that it takes to recover with muscles.
They are two player who are hitting form... I thought [Bill] was playing really well in the role that I gave him in the game. He’s one of those players who was improving more and more within the team, because obviously he’s now more familiar with the principles of play and more familiar with his role and responsibility. His qualities were showing more. On the ball, off the ball, he understands the time when doing some tactical changes in the game. He’s aggressive. He’s good in the air. He’s a player that we’ll miss.”
Good news. Tuiloma obviously recovered enough from his injury to make the bench.
Edit - Charlotte win 2-1. They rise up to 7th in the East. Billy T on at 84 mins (2-1).
A young 21 yr old Canadian came on as a 2nd half sub and scored a double for Charlotte (his first goals in the MLS). The female ref was kept busy. 9 yellows in the game.
