Charlotte FC rides Tyger Smalls to 2-0 start in Leagues Cup

MATT LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Tyger Smalls scored a goal and chipped in an assist in Charlotte FC's 2-0 win against Atlas FC in a Leagues Cup game Aug. 8, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium. In two Leagues Cup starts, Smalls has three goal contributions (two goals, one assist).

Tyger Smalls is doing his part to advance Charlotte FC’s chances of advancing in the Leagues Cup.

Smalls tallied a pair of goal contributions in the Crown’s 2-0 win over Atlas FC Friday at Bank of America Stadium. In the 78th minute, the third-year winger was alone on the near side of the pitch for a cross to Liel Abada for the go-ahead goal. With five minutes of stoppage time added, Atlas brought its goalkeeper out for one final attack, but Charlotte secured the ball and Smalls knocked it into an empty net. 

“It’s good to get these two wins,” said Smalls, who scored on a penalty kick in Tuesday’s 3-0 win against Pumas, “but, obviously we have a job to go do on Tuesday night. Hopefully we go into that game with some confidence. Obviously, it’s [at in Charlotte] as well, so I’m looking forward to that.”

The result is Charlotte’s fifth straight home game in which they have either won (four) or drawn (one) and second straight clean sheet. Their next match is Tuesday against FC Pachuca in the final of Leagues Cup group play. 

“We are obviously focusing on Leagues Cup at the moment until we are back to MLS play,” Smalls said. “Some of the things are quite similar, so it is just about keeping it going and just focusing on our next game, which is the next step.”

Charlotte manager Dean Smith was impressed with Smalls’ recent form and thinks he can continue to be a key part of the team’s success. Smalls, who has no goal contributions in eight MLS games as a substitute, has three in two League’s Cup starts.

“Tyger has always gotten unfair criticism,” Smith said. “I know the talent that he’s got. Unfortunately for him, as with other young wide players, we’ve had designated players in their positions, so it is hard for them to break into those spots, and when they do, they don’t get a lot of minutes. But I have said for a long time that he is a really talented kid. … Pleased for him because he works hard.”

No Pep for Pachuca

Charlotte is now 2-0-0 in Leagues Cup play and will need a win against FC Pachuca to advance. Smith said they will need to come out with the same mentality they had in the second half against Atlas and not let the game get too late without being ahead.

“There’s 10 MLS teams that won the first game,” he said, “so, you have to step up now again. It is back to game one mentality. You've got to go and win if you want to have a chance of progressing. We weren’t great in the first half, but we didn't give many big chances away. I thought [Atlas] had a lot of possession, but the possession was in front of us and made it with their center backs.”

Charlotte will play FC Pachuca without Pep Biel, who received a red card after the final whistle.

“I didn't see what happened,” Smith said. “I didn't hear what happened. I asked the referee, and he said [Biel] said something to him. Unfortunately, although I'm learning, my Spanish isn't that good. The referee couldn't translate it into English, so I told him to tell me in Spanish, but I couldn't tell you that one.”

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