Charlotte Independence Thread

[MtnJax]

From what i understand, the colors in the logo contest aren't going to be the team's colors. that will be decided on later. although, since they will be a Rapids affiliate, I could see them taking on those colors which I don't mind. I'd like to see them utilize an out of the box color for a 3rd alternate. make things interesting

[Heroin Addict]

If the long term goal is to bring MLS soccer to Charlotte, then swiping the Rapid's color scheme seems like an awful idea. Having said that, I will support them starting in 2015.  Been a Charleston Battery fan for years now, but I live much closer to Charlotte than Charleston. 

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I figured with the season fixing to start up in about two and a half months I'd see who is still interested in the Independence.

I'm trying to secure an internship in Charlotte over the summer and if that happens I'll probably check out some games because it's cheap entertainment.

Any who, Jeffries seems like a good hire. I read that at one point he was the head coach at FC Dallas. He also spent some time on Bob Bradley's staff and even had three caps for the USMNT.

Not too shabby.

[djp14]

I saw this a couple of months ago, which made me less excited.

 

 

I was at a meeting for a supporters group yesterday, where Jim McPhilliamy informed us that renovations to widening the stadium were "0% complete" and that the team didn't have a timeline set yet, only that it would not be ready in time for the season. He says the county takes a long time to get these projects through.

Other venues are being considered until the stadium is ready, including BofA for the home opener.

 

[Niner National]

They're looking into play on UNC CHarlotte's campus, which would mean no beer sales.

 

Their first season could be a dud. Memorial Stadium needs a lot of work to make it usable for soccer and even more to make it not look like a dump.

[PiratePanther189]

Unless it's the MLS, the city and county governments aren't going to hop skip and jump for soccer. That's just the reality

[DirtyMagic97]

Has anyone been to any of the supporters meetings?

[FuFuLamePoo]

Has anyone been to any of the supporters meetings?

no but i did join the official supporters group.  the "jacks militia" or whatever.  

 

yeah this first season won't amount to much, it's a shame those renovations won't be done.  awful planning on their part definitely not an ideal start.  i still think they have a chance at good success in memorial stadium though.  just need to find 8,000-9,000 to go to those games consistently and our chances at mls would be pretty high.  i was reading the charlotte independence thread on "big soccer" and people there seem to think the potential for charlotte as a soccer city is very high.  and some think the mls could be very high on the idea of having a team in charlotte.  

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Well that blows that the stadium won't be ready in time. I feel like this happens way to often in semi-professional sports. I'm unsure if Bojangles Colisuem will be ready for the Checkers by October.

Any way, here is an article on the state of the Independence.

Link: http://www.uslsoccer.com/common/mobile/mobile.html?jobid=72011&nogames=#a854551

The Independence have also signed their first to players (former Eagles).

Link: http://www.uslsoccer.com/common/mobile/mobile.html?jobid=72011&nogames=#a855488

[FuFuLamePoo]

i still want to know - will these games be televised locally?

[djp14]

i still want to know - will these games be televised locally?

 

Unlikely, but they do stream games on YouTube:

 

http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/780995.html

 

 

But they televise Charlotte Hounds games, so who knows?

[djp14]

 

Expanded USL PRO Unveils 2015 Format

24 clubs split into 2 conferences, 28-game schedule

USL PRO News Release

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO unveiled its 2015 competition format today, featuring a two-conference alignment to further promote regional rivalries following the league’s unprecedented off-season growth. USL PRO has expanded to 24 teams for its highly-anticipated 2015 season with the establishment of professional soccer in new markets along with the addition of seven MLS owned and operated clubs.

The full 2015 USL PRO schedule will be announced later this month.

USL PRO will be split into 12-team Eastern and Western Conferences in 2015, with teams facing each of their conference opponents at least twice during the 28-game regular season schedule. The additional six games (beyond the standard home and away against the other 11 intra-conference foes) will be matchups against geographic rivals resulting in several cross-conference contests.

“Transitioning to a conference-based structure is consistent with our long-term growth strategy and enabled by the rapid expansion of the league,” USL PRO Executive Vice President Jake Edwards said. “This new format will promote regional rivalries, allowing fans greater opportunity to support their clubs home and away as the league continues to bring its brand of professional soccer to enthusiastic markets throughout the U.S. and Canada.

“With 12 teams qualifying for the playoffs in 2015, more USL PRO fans will have the opportunity to experience the special atmosphere that is created by the league’s knockout tournament post-season format.”

2015 USL PRO Alignment

Eastern Conference

Charleston Battery

Charlotte Independence

FC Montreal

Harrisburg City Islanders

Louisville City FC

*New York Red Bulls

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Richmond Kickers

Rochester Rhinos

Saint Louis FC

Toronto FC II

Wilmington Hammerheads FC

Western Conference

Arizona United SC

Austin Aztex

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

LA Galaxy II

OKC Energy FC

Orange County Blues FC

Portland Timbers 2

Real Monarchs SLC

Sacramento Republic FC

Seattle Sounders FC 2

Tulsa Roughnecks FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2

*Name TBA

The 2015 season will also bring changes to USL PRO’s single-elimination playoff format with the top six finishers in each conference moving on to the four-week postseason. Teams will be seeded No. 1 through No. 6 in each conference, with the top two seeds receiving first-round byes and the No. 3 seed hosting the No. 6 seed and the No. 4 seed hosting the No. 5 seed.

The winner of the No. 3 vs. No. 6 game will then travel to face the No. 2 seed, and the winner of the No. 4 vs. No. 5 game will travel to face the No. 1 seed. The winners will meet in the Eastern & Western Conference Championship games with the remaining two teams advancing to square off in the 2015 USL PRO Championship, hosted by the higher seeded club.

There are a total of six awards to be earned in the 2015 USL PRO season.  In addition to the highest honor of 2015 USL PRO Champions - awarded to the winner of the league’s post-season tournament - USL PRO will officially honor the Eastern Conference & Western Conference champions for both the regular season and the playoffs, as well as the overall USL PRO Regular Season Champion - the team earning the most regular season points.  

 

[DirtyMagic97]

Charlotte Independence are holding open tryouts on Friday, February 13th, 2015.

 

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-open-tryout-charlotte-independence-usl-pro-tickets-15406747998?aff=Twitter

 

Who's with me!?

[panthersphan]

Well if this can be a success, I wouldn't be surprised if the MLS came knocking in a few years.

But the name, I don't know, it's not my favorite, I don't hate it... Ehh..

The Calvary would've been a good name. With the same theme.