Caleb Porter Discusses Striker Options After Charlotte Game

Giacomo Vrioni and Bobby Wood played in the same MLS game for the first time in 2024.

Photo Courtesy of J. Alexander Dolan

Saturday marked the first time in 2024 that Giacomo Vrioni and Bobby Wood played in the same MLS game.

Giacomo Vrioni got the start, contributing 73 minutes in a 1-0 win over Charlotte FC. The Designated Player had 22 touches, was 8/12 on accurate passes, drew two fouls, and won 4 of 7 aerial duels. There were also several occasions when he held up the ball.

He managed four shots, including a header that hit the crossbar.

“He is working hard,” head coach Caleb Porter said after the game. “He’s trying. He's trying to give everything he has to the team and to the supporters and to everybody.”

Vrioni has scored twice this season. The first came against Alajuelence on the road during the Concacaf Champions Cup. One game later he scored against Cincinnati FC during league play.

Porter hopes that more goals are coming.

“He needs a goal,” Porter said. “That will help his confidence. But what I'll say is, he cares. He cares. He wants to do well. He's a good kid. It hasn't been easy for him here. He's been under pressure.

“He’s a DP striker for good reason. Supporters want goals, I want goals, but I'm happy that he's giving everything he has. Can he do better a few times? Yes, but I'm confident that we'll continue to hopefully grow and grow. But yeah, we need more of them [goals], no doubt, and he would admit that too, but he's trying. He’s trying to give everything he has.”

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On Saturday, Vrioni made way for Wood in the 73rd minute. While the 31-year-old has played off the bench in three Concacaf games, this was his 2024 MLS debut as he’s been dealing with a knee injury.

Wood had seven touches, was 1/4 on accurate passes, and won 2 of 4 aerial duels against Charlotte.

“He has been through a lot of wars, Bobby Wood,” Porter said. “Great guy. I like him a lot. He's another one who gives everything he has, but he's got a really sore knee. He's had a couple meniscus taken out and it's hard for him to train, to be honest with you.

“We're trying to get him to the point where he can play major minutes, but he was basically out for three or four weeks. This is the first time we've actually felt he could play any minutes. So, we're hoping Tuesday for him to get maybe 45 [minutes], and then we'll progress from there.”