Who Are Charlotte FC? History, Stats & More
A newly structured team competing in the MLS, Charlotte FC is an American club. It is also popularly known as ‘Charlotte Home’ and forms a part of the Eastern Conference. As the 28th franchise to join the league, Charlotte made its MLS debut in the 2022 season. The team proudly takes the field at Bank of America Stadium.
HISTORY OF CHARLOTTE FC: Founded in 2019
The Charlotte area isn’t a stranger to soccer as their experiences related to the game date back to Carolina Lightnin’ in 1981, the American Soccer League championship-winning team. After a brief gap, professional soccer returned to the city with the Charlotte Eagles in 1991.
Despite being considered as a potential home for an MLS expansion team several times in the past, it wasn’t until 2022 that Charlotte finally secured its spot as the league’s 28th franchise. With a renovated Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte is now a thriving soccer hub. The stadium has hosted international and friendly matches, attracting strong attendance figures.
WHO WAS THE FOUNDER OF CHARLOTTE FC
David Alan Tepper is a well-known name, especially attributed to his efforts in sports and his excellent work in finance. Born on September 11, 1957, he has established himself as a billionaire hedge fund manager. Appaloosa Management is one globally known hedge fund, owned and operated by Tepper based in Miami Beach, Florida.
He is the owner of the NFL team- Carolina Panthers and has established Charlotte FC in MLS aiming to make a lasting impact on both industries.
CURRENT PRESIDENT OF CHARLOTTE FC: WHO IS JOE LABUE?
With a remarkable career spanning over 20 years, Joe LaBue has made a name for himself in the sports and entertainment industry. He started his journey with the Panthers as a sales manager and quickly rose through the ranks to hold various prominent positions, including Vice President of Ticket Sales and Services.
LaBue’s expertise is not limited to his work with the Panthers. He has also made significant contributions to the Washington Football Team and managed corporate sponsorship at Monumental Sports & Entertainment. His unparalleled experience has earned him recognition and respect in the industry.
FANS AND CULTURE OF CHARLOTTE FC
As Charlotte FC is a newly formed MLS team that will start play in 2022, it is too early to determine the characteristics of its fans. It will likely depend on various factors such as the team’s performance, community engagement, and marketing efforts.
STADIUM OF CHARLOTTE FC: BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM
Charlotte FC is a new MLS team making its home at the Bank of America Stadium. This iconic monument has a seating capacity able to accommodate 74,867 people. The Carolina Panthers NFL team also uses the same facilities for their games. The stadium was recently renovated to better accommodate the needs of the soccer club.
The renovation, which cost $50 million and was funded by both the club’s owner and the city government, brought added amenities like training spaces, and a larger concourse area. One unique aspect of Charlotte FC’s approach is the use of personal seat licenses, with a cost of $550 per seat, for fans to secure their seats for the season.
SPORTING RIVALRIES OF CHARLOTTE FC
In their short history so far in the MLS, Charlotte FC hasn’t shied away from making their mark on the league. They have matched stride for stride with the big guns, stamping their authority on the league and signaling that they are here to stay and cause trouble.
Their rivalry with Atlanta United gained widespread traction last season with a sold-out stadium. We are sure that in times to come, Charlotte would definitely punish the big teams and eventually, the MLS Cup would be on their minds.
Related Post: Who Are Minnesota United? History, Stats & More
Charlotte FC Key Individuals
NOTABLE PLAYERS IN THE HISTORY OF CHARLOTTE FC
Charlotte FC started their journey in 2022, so there’s no specific information about their best players. However, the current squad boasts several technical gifted and strong players such as the Austrian defender Christian Fuchs. England national Nathan Byrne and Portuguese international Nuno Santos have been impressive for the team giving consistent performances.
BEST MANAGER IN THE HISTORY OF CHARLOTTE FC
There’s not much history to be talked about concerning Charlotte FC as they are still a relatively new club with respect to the MLS. However, in their short span since inception, head coach Christian Lattanzio has influenced a lot with his winning mentality and tactical approach.
On October 26, 2022, Charlotte announced that Lattanzio has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club through the 2024 season, with an option for 2025. Coach Lattanzio expressed his excitement about the extension, calling the club a special place in the world of football. He also acknowledged the hard work the club has put in to build a culture and identity and is eager to continue that work into 2023.
Charlotte FC Record Breakers
Top SCORERS OF CHARLOTTE FC
Since this club has contested in only one season in the league, the table below mentions the top scorers in the 2022-23 MLS season, wherein Karol Swoderski smothered 10 goals – the most for the club.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF GOALS SCORED |
| Karol Swoderski | 10 |
| Daniel Rios | 7 |
| Andre Shinyashiki | 6 |
| Benjamin Bender | 3 |
| Christian Fuchs | 3 |
Top ASSIST PROVIDERS OF CHARLOTTE FC
In the 2022-23 season, Benjamin Bender emerged as one of the most elite playmakers for Charlotte. Not only did the American professional star provide 6 assists but even had 3 crucial goals for the club.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF ASSISTS |
| Benjamin Bender | 6 |
| Karol Swoderski | 6 |
| Orrin McKenzie Gaines II | 4 |
| Kamil Jozwiak | 3 |
| Yordy Reyna | 3 |
MOST APPEARANCES FOR CHARLOTTE FC?
Bronico was drafted as the 47th overall pick in the 2017 MLS draft by Chicago Fire. The 27-year-old made the most appearances for the club in the previous season.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF APPEARANCES |
| Brandt Bronico | 32 |
| Kristijan Kahlina | 31 |
| Karol Swoderski | 29 |
| Benjamin Bender | 19 |
| Daniel Rios | 15 |
MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFERS IN THE HISTORY OF CHARLOTTE FC
| NAME | CLUB FROM | CLUB TO | TRANSFER AMOUNT |
| Enzi Copetti | Racing Club | Charlotte FC | $6.52m |
| Karol Swiderski | PAOK Salonika | Charlotte FC | $6.52m |
| Riley McGree | Charlotte FC | Middlesbrough | $3.96m |
| Kamil Jozwiak | Derby | Charlotte FC | $3.8m |
| Andre Shinyashiki | Colorado | Charlotte FC | $3.26m |
CONCLUSION: OVERVIEW OF COLUMBUS CREW LEGACY
There’s not much to say about their legacy given their recent introduction in the MLS and only one season under their belt. Although, we can be sure that Charlotte FC under their strong leadership and management would definitely become a team to keep an eye on in the future.
