If you looked at a list of passers better than Pep Biel this season in MLS, no one would make the cut.
Biel stood in a class of his own this season, leading MLS in assists with 18 and becoming the first Charlotte FC outfield player to lead the league in a stat category. He achieved a career-high in assists and shattered his own Club record after recording 12 assists last season.
“He's outstanding on the ball,” Head Coach Dean Smith said following the match against Inter Miami CF on November 7. “In the second half, that was more of a Pep Biel performance and the numbers that he gets show you what a top player he is.”
Biel’s role as the central midfielder in Charlotte FC’s 4-3-3 formation has been integral to both the structure of the midfield and the success of the attack. His ability to orchestrate play from the middle of the park allowed The Crown to counter-attack. Biel leading the push forward would often end with him linking up with Allan Saint-Maximin, Liel Abada and Rodolfo Aloko on the wings and Idan Toklomati up top. His passing ability and technique made him the primary facilitator in Charlotte FC’s attack.
It was Biel’s orchestration of the offense this entire season that helped him have a career-best 2026 campaign.
On top of The Mallorcan Magician’s 18 assists, he scored 13 goals, the second-most in Club history in an MLS season. In total, Biel became the first Charlotte FC player to record 30 or more goal contributions (13G+18A). Biel finished the year tied for second in MLS in the category with FC Cincinnati’s Evander.
During his historic year, Biel also became the Club’s all-time goal contributions leader (25G+33A), breaking Karol Świderski’s previous record of 48 with a penalty kick against FC Cincinnati on September 12.
Biel was the only Charlotte FC outfield player to play and start all 34 MLS matches, one of six outfield players in MLS to achieve the feat. He also played 2988 minutes, fourth among non-goalkeepers, averaging 87.88 minutes per match.
Biel had 66 key passes, 21 more than any other CLTFC player, a stat that illustrates his ability to set his teammates up in dangerous positions. His threat in the attacking third helped him average .54 assists per match.
Of The Crown’s Club-record 66 goals this season, Biel assisted on 27.27% of them. Add in Biel’s goals and he was involved in 46.97% of Charlotte FC’s scores.
The numbers that Biel notched in the final stretch of the season also helped propel him to the assist crown in MLS.
He finished the year with eight assists in the final seven matches, including recording assists in each of the final four matches. Biel had six assists during the four-match span in which Charlotte FC went 2-1-1 and held strong in the Eastern Conference standings to clinch the fifth seed.
Now, Biel is hoping to translate his regular season success to the playoffs. Biel missed the postseason last year due to a knee tendon injury. He also didn’t get to experience Charlotte FC’s sole postseason win in Club History in Game Two of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs against Orlando City SC in 2024 after receiving a red card in the opening match.
Charlotte FC return to the playoffs again for the fourth consecutive season, this time with Biel as the league’s top passer. With the Spaniard at the heart of the midfield, he’ll hope to lead The Crown to its first playoff series win.
ROUND ONE: CHARLOTTE FC VS CHICAGO FIRE
Quench the Fire. Be here as Charlotte FC takes on Chicago Fire FC for Round One Match 2 of the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs on November 28 at 12:30 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium!
