Dean Smith expects the signing of Allan Saint-Maximin to "lift standards" at Charlotte FC as they prepare to return to MLS action against Atlanta United.

Saint-Maximin penned a three-year contract with the Crown earlier this week, having helped Lens finish second in Ligue 1 and win the Coupe de France last season.

During his time with Lens, Saint-Maximin made 13 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals as well as providing three assists. 

The former Newcastle United winger links up with a Charlotte team that sit sixth in the Eastern Conference, having earned 21 points from 15 games prior to the World Cup break.

Wednesday's meeting with Atlanta at Bank of America Stadium may come too soon for Saint-Maximin's debut, given his first training session with Charlotte was delayed, but Smith expects big things from his new recruit over the second half of the campaign.

"He's dynamic, he's a ball carrier, he'll take opportunities when they arise to him, and he should give us a good boost," Smith told Charlotte's media channels. 

"He's just had a really good season in France; he won the French Cup, and now he wants to come here and do well. He wants to leave a legacy, and we want to help him do that.

"I flew back to London and spent a couple of hours with him. I really liked what he was about, and I'm looking forward to what he will bring.

"I've spoken to two or three managers who've worked with him; they all say the same thing: that he was a really nice person, but also a really good player. He wants to bring his best and lift standards, and that's what we want within the team."

Atlanta have already played one game following the World Cup break, losing 1-0 away to Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC last Friday.

They sit 14th in the 15-team standings, though only seven points separate them from the final wild-card spot for the MLS Cup Playoffs. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Charlotte FC – Idan Toklomati 

Toklomati scored the only goal in Charlotte's win over the New England Revolution immediately prior to the World Cup break. 

Since the beginning of last July, Toklomati has scored in 11 different MLS matches, with Charlotte winning 10 of those (D1).

Atlanta United – Miguel Almiron 

Almiron won five fouls against Nashville last week, with his team-mates combining to win four fouls. 

Over the last four seasons, the only other time an Atlanta player had more than half of the team's fouls won in an MLS match was Jamal Thiare in September 2025 against the Columbus Crew (4/7).

Almiron was booked for diving in Paraguay's first World Cup game versus the United States, and sent off for covering his mouth against Turkiye, but his trickery always makes him a threat.

MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE FC

Atlanta have won on three of their previous five trips to Charlotte (L2), including a 2-0 victory in the fourth round of this year's U.S. Open Cup. 

The only other team to record three road wins over Charlotte in all competitions is New York City FC.

In Friday's 1-0 road loss, Atlanta outshot Nashville 12 to eight, while racking up 1.8 expected goals to their opponents' 0.6 xG.

It was only the second time this season that Atlanta had a +1.0 xG differential in an MLS match, also doing so against New England at home in April. 

Charlotte, meanwhile, entered the break on a two-match winning streak and will be confident of another victory on home soil.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 52.8%

Atlanta United – 23.8%

Draw – 23.4%