Is Charlotte FC New? Yes, they are MLS‘s Newest Expansion Team
Charlotte FC just completed their first ever season in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2022, making them the newest team in the league. I‘ll provide an in-depth look at Charlotte FC‘s origins, their inaugural season, expectations for the future, and more to examine their status as MLS‘s newest club. There‘s plenty of interesting information to unpack about the ambitious new franchise in the Queen City.
Charlotte Awarded MLS Franchise in 2019
While 2022 marked their first games, Charlotte FC‘s journey began just a few years ago in 2019. That December, MLS announced that Charlotte would become the league‘s 28th team starting play in 2022.
The owner bringing soccer to Charlotte is David Tepper, a massively wealthy hedge fund manager who also owns the NFL‘s Carolina Panthers. Tepper paid a record $325 million expansion fee to MLS to secure the Charlotte franchise.
To put that massive fee in perspective, previous MLS newcomers like FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC paid only $200 million. Tepper clearly came ready to invest heavily in the team‘s success.
Charlotte was an appealing market for MLS, with its rapid population boom and diverse, soccer-passionate residents. Let‘s look at how their first season unfolded.
Record-Setting 2022 Inaugural Season
Charlotte FC played their first ever match on February 26, 2022 away to D.C. United, fighting to a 0-0 draw. Then on March 5, the home opener saw them beat New England 3-1 at Bank of America Stadium in front of over 74,000 fired-up fans.
The team got off to an impressive start, with an attacking style of play and strong early results. They set an MLS record with over 37,000 season tickets sold. Charlotte FC also averaged an incredible 39,004 fans per home match in their inaugural season, the 3rd highest in MLS.
As the season wore on, Charlotte faded from playoff contention and finished 9th in the Eastern Conference. But there were many bright spots in their debut year that showed the potential for an exciting new club.
Who Are The Key Players?
Charlotte splashed big money on players from abroad to be competitive right away. They broke the MLS transfer record for a non-Mexican player, paying $12 million for Polish striker Karol Świderski. He led the team with 12 goals.
Some other key players included:
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Defender Christian Fuchs – former Premier League winner with Leicester City
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Defender Adam Armour – $5 million transfer from Wigan Athletic
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Midfielder Brandt Bronico – Charlotte native rewarded for his USL performance
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Defender Jaylin Lindsey – promising homegrown academy product
While results were mixed, the willingness of Tepper to spend big on top-end talent is a positive sign. Developing their youth academy will also be crucial.
How Does Charlotte FC Stack Up Against Other MLS Newcomers?
| Team | Expansion Fee | 2022 Value | 1st Yr Avg Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte FC | $325 million | $625 million | 39,004 |
| Nashville SC | $200 million | $520 million | 27,318 |
| LAFC | $200 million | $900 million | 22,042 |
| Atlanta United | $200 million | $710 million | 48,200 |
The table above shows how Charlotte FC compares to some other recent MLS expansion sides in terms of upfront investment, current valuation, and inaugural season attendance.
While Atlanta stands out for their incredible first year support and MLS Cup title, Charlotte‘s fees paid, attendance, and growth in value in Year 1 point to a very strong start amongst their expansion peers.
Plan For Soccer-Specific Stadium in Charlotte
Charlotte FC currently plays home games at the NFL‘s Bank of America Stadium, which they can configure for soccer by closing the upper deck.
But Owner David Tepper has much bigger ambitions, having purchased land for a dedicated soccer stadium to truly create a home for Charlotte FC. The proposed $800 million development in Charlotte‘s South End will include a 22,000 seat stadium opening in 2026.
The vision includes restaurants, shops, bars, office space, and apartments surrounding the venue. Tepper wants to build a true urban soccer neighborhood for Charlotte FC fans.
Harnessing the Passion of the Queen City
One thing that stood out immediately was how passionately the city of Charlotte embraced finally having a professional soccer team to call their own.
The club‘s "For The Crown" ethos and Queen Charlotte logo clearly resonated with locals excited to rally behind the new team. The supporter‘s section known as the Roaring Riot fed off the signature rumbling growl celebration ritual.
Even when results weren‘t perfect, the electric home atmospheres proved that Charlotte has amazing potential to become one of MLS‘s marquee venues. I‘d certainly put it high on my bucket list of matches to attend!
Building Rivalries With Fellow MLS Newcomers
Every great club needs a rival to stoke its competitive flames. For Charlotte, two fellow Southeast expansion sides have quickly risen to rival status.
First, there‘s Atlanta United. As nearby franchises entering MLS only a few years apart, this matchup has already been dubbed the "Southern Classic." The clubs evenly split their two meetings last season, each winning at home.
Then there‘s Inter Miami, whose owner David Beckham brings plenty of star power to this rivalry. The lengthy coast-to-coast away trips and migratory flows between Florida and the Carolinas add intrigue to this one.
These emerging Southern derbies have shown the passion and potential to become amongst the fiercest matchups in the league. With Charlotte‘s arrival, MLS has strengthened its foothold across the soccer-hungry Southeastern U.S.
Projecting Charlotte FC‘s Future
While the team is still very new, what might we expect from Charlotte FC in the years to come?
In the short term, qualifying for their first MLS Cup Playoffs has to be the goal for 2024. Finding consistency and balance in their performances will be key.
Longer term, their vision must be compete for MLS Cup itself within 5-10 years. Tepper has the resources to keep investing in top players until Charlotte is an MLS powerhouse.
The planned stadium opening in 2026 will be a gamechanger, letting the club control its revenue streams and the matchday experience. This will provide another boost.
Overall, the early returns from Year 1 point toward an extremely bright future. I‘d bet on Charlotte FC joining the ranks of MLS‘s elite teams sooner rather than later!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Charlotte FC is the brand new kid on the MLS block having just completed their first season in 2022. Their debut year provided plenty of optimism, from record-setting attendance to emerging young stars. Owner David Tepper has grand ambitions and the funds to back it up.
With the passion of the Queen City behind them, a soccer-specific stadium on the way, and more elite talent set to arrive, the future looks incredibly bright for MLS‘s newest team. While still searching for their first playoff berth, Charlotte FC appears poised for big things in the coming years. Their arrival has expanded the league‘s Southern footprint and added another fierce rivalry as well. Watch out MLS, because Charlotte FC has entered the chat, and they are here to stay!