Excitement Ramping Up Ahead Of Projected 2021 Debut For Charlotte MLS Franchise

Charlotte, NC – Where there is still lots about the Charlotte MLS side that remains unknown, the information already out there should provide significant cause for optimism among North Carolinians. The Charlotte soccer franchise is lacking a catchy name, plus there’s the small matter ahead of signing players and hiring a coach, but all of the signs are there that the Charlotte MLS team can immediately be competitive in the league during their debut season.

That is the clear objective for Zoran Krneta, sporting director of the Charlotte MLS project. In an interview with MLS’ official website, Krneta spoke of his desire to create a ‘team full of wolves‘ that can be ‘competitive from day one’. Krneta also reiterated the intention to make the Charlotte MLS side something that the city and the rest of the state can be proud of, from delivering a passionate style of play on the pitch to developing the finest soccer talent that North Carolina has to offer.

Building a squad to challenge for titles

This will be Krneta’s first experience with MLS, with the Serbian talent-spotter previously most renowned in world soccer for founding the Star & Sports Entertainment scouting network. That network helped to unearth the talents of Serbian internationals Luka Jović and Sergej Milinković-Savić, who now feature for Real Madrid and Lazio respectively. Some of the fruits of Krneta’s network have also made it to MLS, including Nemanja Nikolic of the Chicago Fire and Heber of New York City FC. The people of Africa are also watching this event and they already know that they will bet on this team on betting sites in Zambia.

 

That bodes well for squad-building with Charlotte MLS, as Krneta’s connections are likely to bring on board some exciting young talents from overseas. However, there will also be an emphasis on nurturing domestic talents, with Krneta stressing a need to make the most of the thousands of soccer players developing in academies located in the Carolinas.

North Carolina soccer alumni include Darrius Barnes, who spent several seasons with New England Revolution, and Jeremy Kelly, the one-time North Carolina Tar Heel who was drafted by Colorado Rapids earlier this year. Once the Charlotte MLS side is up and running, the club will be keen to ensure that North Carolina’s finest stay closer to home. 

A big few years for soccer fans in NC

There promises to be a passionate and extensive following for the Charlotte MLS franchise, which will provide a compelling reason for aspiring NC soccer players to dream of a breakthrough with their local side. Figures from earlier this year revealed that over 22,000 people had made season-ticket deposits for Charlotte’s debut MLS season, proof that this is an expansion that North Carolina has been hotly anticipating for several years.

The next few years promise to be a transformative period for soccer fans in North Carolina. Not only will 75,000 people be able to pack into the Bank of America Stadium for MLS matches, but there is also a chance that online sports betting may become legal in North Carolina. That could be predicated on the level of success for the sportsbooks that were legalized in physical casinos in 2019, but the newfound ability to punt on an MLS side based in North Carolina may boost the popularity of soccer betting. 

This means that North Carolinian soccer fans will have more ways than ever to channel their passion, from betting on their favorite side to attending the Bank of America Stadium for MLS action from 2021. The Bank of America Stadium is of course the current home to the Carolina Panthers, but the Charlotte MLS side will see fans flock to witness a different kind of football.

 

David Tepper is the man who ties this all together, as Tepper owns both the Panthers and the currently unnamed Charlotte MLS franchise. Tepper has stated his hopes that the Charlotte MLS side will regularly command crowds between 40,000 and 60,000, which would make the franchise one of the most well-supported in the league. That level of attendance will no doubt form a big part of Tepper and Krneta’s attempts to convince talented soccer players to become part of the North Carolina MLS project.

Austin FC will also join MLS in 2021 as the two sides take the league up to 30 members. Everything about MLS is getting bigger, from the fixture list to the fan appeal. As Krneta’s mission plan has made clear, Charlotte MLS won’t be there to simply make up the numbers. With Tepper’s bankroll and Krneta’s expertise driving the project, North Carolina fans might finally have the chance to witness MLS success.

Feature Photo by Emilio Garcia on Unsplash