1-1 at HT. Jordi Alba (has the assist) & Sergio Busquets lining up for Inter Miami. Tuiloma on the pine for Charlotte.
Edit - Charlotte lose 1-2. Tuiloma rides the pine. Inter Miami in a battle with Cincinnati it seems to win the the Eastern Conference title this MLS season
Edit - Finished a 3-1 upset win for Charlotte. Westwood the assist for all 3 goals. Splinters for Billy T
What about a loan deal between Charlotte & Auckland FC? Surely Tuiloma wants to play football. On a $NZ1M a season Stateside until end of 2025, he likely doesn't want a mutual termination - but maybe Auckland can share that wage cost until his contract in North Carolina finishes.
Edit - Finished a 3-1 upset win for Charlotte. Westwood the assist for all 3 goals. Splinters for Billy T
What about a loan deal between Charlotte & Auckland FC? Surely Tuiloma wants to play football. On a $NZ1M a season Stateside until end of 2025, he likely doesn't want a mutual termination - but maybe Auckland can share that wage cost until his contract in North Carolina finishes.
you would think it's to his advantage. career going no where atm. loan to AFC to rekindle it AND the chance to put himself back in view of the NZ selectors and push his chances for a world cup spot, like Woud and Rojas have
Haysus Bill, get somewhere and play some football!
AFC next season?
Tricky as he's signed to Charlotte until the end of the 2025 MLS season & he's on about $NZ1M a season.
Loan deal? Mutual termination but taking a pay cut?
AFC already have Hall, Smith, Sakai and Nikko Boxall on trial. They don't need any more experienced CBs for now. And they ain't going to pay him anywhere close to $NZD1M in the low budget ALM
Haysus Bill, get somewhere and play some football!
AFC next season?
Tricky as he's signed to Charlotte until the end of the 2025 MLS season & he's on about $NZ1M a season.
Loan deal? Mutual termination but taking a pay cut?
AFC already have Hall, Smith, Sakai and Nikko Boxall on trial. They don't need any more experienced CBs for now. And they ain't going to pay him anywhere close to $NZD1M in the low budget ALM
If he sits around for 2-3 years he won’t be much of a footballer after that. A loan deal that pays some of his salary would be a plan if it could be done. Could he play in a Nix midfield? Gotta be somewhere in the MLS where he could be starting…
Haysus Bill, get somewhere and play some football!
AFC next season?
Tricky as he's signed to Charlotte until the end of the 2025 MLS season & he's on about $NZ1M a season.
Loan deal? Mutual termination but taking a pay cut?
AFC already have Hall, Smith, Sakai and Nikko Boxall on trial. They don't need any more experienced CBs for now. And they ain't going to pay him anywhere close to $NZD1M in the low budget ALM
If he sits around for 2-3 years he won’t be much of a footballer after that. A loan deal that pays some of his salary would be a plan if it could be done. Could he play in a Nix midfield? Gotta be somewhere in the MLS where he could be starting…
and if he wants to have any thought of making a world cup start, regular football in the eye of the selectors is needed
Full game & late goal for Crown Legacy (Charlotte's reserve team) in MLS Next Pro.
Not required for the pen shootout (4-3 Legacy) which followed the 1-1 draw
Bill Tuiloma minutes have been rare this year but he made these ones count with a late equaliser for Charlotte FC's reserve team 💪 #FlyingKiwishttps://t.co/tx0Hi716QV
This was his second match for the ressies after also having done half a game back in June. He’s made three MLS appearances in 2024 plus that lone light cameo in the Leagues Cup. However, there could be an end to the isolation soon because Charlotte FC are on the verge of completing the signing of USA international defender Tim Ream from Fulham and it has been whispered that someone will need to make way for Ream to fit in the squad... and you’d have to assume that Tuiloma is a likely candidate given what his experience and known profile could offer another team.
Then again, Charlotte knew his profile enough to trade for him and then asked him to play in a conservative, unfitting way that neutered his effectiveness. Things might have been different under Dean Smith this year except that other defenders were ahead of him in the pecking order. Hopefully there’s an escape rope hanging around so that he doesn’t end up any further down the depth chart when Ream arrives.
Up Next: Charlotte FC doesn’t actually play again until August 25 when the MLS resumes (NZT)
It’s been an odd move for Tuiloma, but if they want Ream maybe they’re prepared to pay out a whack of Tuiloma’s salary to get him in.
That’d still allow Bill to AFC if they’re prepared to keep spending.
He’s certainly got a good goal scoring record, both with his head and as a free kick taker! If we’re going to struggle to keep Mexico out anyway or we’re going to set up super defensively, a set piece goal from a super sub coy have been handy!
Niche Cache. He's on nice coin, but still can't be happy he's going to now go almost 2 full MLS seasons barely playing. He must have 2026 WC ambitions.
As for Bill Tuiloma, the debut of Tim Ream for Charlotte FC knocked Jaylin Lindsey to the bench who knocked Bill Tuiloma out of the squad entirely... and the MLS transfer window is now closed so he’s probably stuck there for the rest of the year doing nothing. At least he’s on a healthy veteran’s salary. To be fair, it’s nice work if you can get it.
Remains on the outer at Charlotte. Actually playing again today for their reserve team Crown Legacy in the MLS Next Pro.
Wonder what the plan is at the end of this MLS season. Still a year to go on that Charlotte contract, at $NZD1M per season. I'm guessing Bazeley told him, if you want to be any chance of making the 2026 WC team, you have got to be playing somewhere in 2025, and be fitter.
Was just pure luck he played for the AWs this Sept window. Wilkins & Bindon being injured, and the games being close by for Bill T.
On 29th Sept Charlotte play Inter Miami who are 10 pts clear atop the Eastern Conference.
I still don't think a Kiwi has ever shared a football field with Messi?? That's unlikely to change this season unless Minnesota meet IM in the playoffs.