Behind the scenes at a Charlotte FC game
Plus: Going wild for Messi; Previewing Saturday's home game against Seattle; Christian Lattanzio on Bill Murray
It’s time for Fútbol Friday, The Charlotte Ledger’s weekly newsletter getting you up to speed on Charlotte FC, the city’s new pro soccer team.
➡️ Need to sign up for Fútbol Friday and other Charlotte-focused email newsletters from The Charlotte Ledger? You can do that here.
➡️ Ledger subscribers can add or drop individual newsletters on their “My Account” page.
—
Our Fútbol Friday writer Carroll Walton is off this week, so you’re stuck with me, Tony Mecia — Carroll’s editor. And with the team off next week, our next regular Fútbol Friday newsletter will be Friday, June 23.
🎥: The view most fans don’t get to see: From the press box to Minty’s locker room to the field-level luxury suites
If you’re a Charlotte FC fan, you’ve probably been to Bank of America Stadium for a game. You’ve probably watched on TV.
But you probably haven’t seen a Charlotte FC game like this.
Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes — showing you how members of the press experience the game, from the press box to the field. At each game, there are dozens of media who attend, from digital outlets like ours to podcasters to TV and radio announcers.
At a game in March against the New York Red Bulls, I accompanied our good friend Kevin Young of The 5 and 2 Project, an award-winning videographer, whose work you might have seen in this newsletter as well as our main Ledger newsletter (such as our “Flyover Friday” series).
Kevin captured the scene that most fans don’t get to see — the press box vibe, the media buffet line, Minty’s private dressing room, the lowdown on photographers’ gear and the atmosphere inside the field-level fan suites — along with cameos from TV analyst Lloyd Sam and team communications director Woody Wilder. Watch us as we join a fan procession to the stadium and give you a game-level view of the action on the field and in the stands.
It’s a fun, fast-paced, unscripted 5-minute video:
In addition to his photography for this Fútbol Friday newsletter, Kevin often shares additional photos and videos on his social media accounts on Twitter and Instagram.
Oh, and in case you were wondering: At the match we filmed, Charlotte FC played the Red Bulls to a 1-1 tie.
Messi mania: News of Miami’s signing of top soccer player jacks up fan interest — and ticket prices to October game
The big news in the soccer world this week was the reported signing of superstar Lionel Messi with Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.
The 35-year-old Argentine is widely regarded as one of the Greatest of All Time, and reports of his signing on Wednesday morning set social media abuzz with goat emojis 🐐 and sent fans scrambling to examine MLS’ schedule as though it were a Taylor Swift concert tour.
Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain in May 2022. He is signing with MLS’s Inter Miami, which plays at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Oct. 21. (Shutterstock photo)
As luck would have it for those hoping to catch of glimpse of Messi greatness, Miami plays at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Oct. 21 — the final day of the regular season, known as “Decision Day,” when the final playoff spots are decided.
So in theory, that game could be on a crisp fall night, with Charlotte or Miami needing a win to clinch a playoff berth, with the world’s greatest player on the field either showing his magic or being shut down by playoff-bound Charlotte FC defenders. (It could also be a meaningless game in the rain between two teams toward the bottom of their division, with Messi sitting out or injured — but let’s not contemplate that possibility.)
A Charlotte FC spokesman says the club sold “over 10,000 tickets” on Wednesday and Thursday. It opened the upper deck of Bank of America for seating — which it was going to do anyway because it’s the final regular-season game and fan appreciation day — but “Messi kind of fast-tracked it,” we were told.
The club was initially selling the upper-level seats for $75. As of Friday morning, the lowest-price ticket on Ticketmaster was listed at $150 in the upper section. Some ticket owners listed club-level seats on Ticketmaster for as much as $4,000.
In contrast, lower-level tickets for tomorrow’s game against Seattle are going for as little as $39.
Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina was asked about Messi at a press briefing. Kahlina said:
Every player who comes like this, with such a big quality, he’ll bring something to MLS. It would be really nice for MLS, and to play against him. … He will be a guy who takes the ball and makes more assists than he will make goals. It will be fun.
And coach Christian Lattanzio was also asked about Messi at a press briefing. Lattanzio said:
It’s true that maybe Messi is not at the prime of his career, but he's still a very respectable player and scored important goals and assists for Paris Saint-Germain this year to allow them to win yet another title. … We're talking about a guy that is still playing football at a high level, and I think that his name and his ability and the aura that he has around him will benefit MLS.
Inter Miami, by the way, is 15th in the standings (last) in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte FC is 9th. The top 9 advance to post-season play.
Quotable: Christian Lattanzio on Bill Murray
From this week’s press briefing with Charlotte FC coach Christian Lattanzio:
Mike Solarte, Spectrum News: Thirty-nine years ago, young man, “Ghostbusters” was released in theaters. What is your favorite Bill Murray movie?
Lattanzio: “Lost in Translation.” I wanted to say “Ghostbusters,” but then otherwise it would look like I know only that one. There was “Groundhog Day” as well.
But “Lost in Translation” is a movie that I really enjoyed. … I think he’s great. … “Ghostbusters,” I love it. When it came on, I think I watched it three or four times in the movies with friends. We couldn’t have enough of that. Also for the music.
Up Next: Seattle Sounders (8-6-3) at Charlotte FC (6-8-3)
When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
How to watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. For information on how to sign up for a regular subscription, click here.
How to listen: WFNZ 92.7 FM in English. WOLS 106.1 FM in Spanish.
Standings and streaks: Seattle is in 2nd place in the Western Conference. Charlotte FC is 9th in the Eastern Conference. Seattle has won one game of its last five and is coming off a 0-0 match against Portland.
Most recent results: The two teams last played in May 2022, with Seattle taking a 2-1 win. In that game, Ben Bender for Charlotte scored early, but Seattle won with two late goals, from Jordan Morris and Raúl Ruidíaz. [6/10/23: corrected to omit error on site of game]
Get ready for passing: Seattle’s game notes observe that “The Sounders lead MLS in total passes this season, with nearly 700 more than second-place Columbus Crew SC. Seattle is also first in accurate long balls and accurate forward zone passes.”
Seattle’s star: TopBin90 notes that Seattle’s Jordan Morris “has been the main catalyst of a successful campaign, scoring nine times in 15 matches. The only issue is they’ve possibly relied too heavily on Morris's ability to finish.”
Injury report: Kamil Jozwiak (right thigh) and Hamady Diop (lower abdomen) are listed as “out” for Saturday’s game. Enzo Copetti (left thigh) is listed as “questionable.” Asked this week about Jozwiak and Copetti, coach Christian Lattanzio said: “I know that they’re raring to go — they want to [play] — but we need to respect the opinion of the performance department.”
Pride Night: Saturday’s game is Pride Night at Bank of America Stadium. Fans receive a “limited-edition Pride Patch, courtesy of Ally.” The national anthem will be led by the Greenville Gay Men's Chorus.
Return of the purple jerseys: Charlotte will be wearing its purple “Crown Jewel” jerseys on Saturday. As Carroll Walton wrote when the purple jerseys debuted in March: “After being met with a lukewarm reception when the design was leaked online, the purple jerseys seem to have found favor with fans since then — especially those who have embraced its purple, pink and blue color scheme by comparing it with the frosting on Wild Berry Pop-Tarts.”
Time to hit the break: After Saturday’s game, Charlotte FC next plays on Wednesday, June 21, at the New York Red Bulls.
Need to sign up for this e-newsletter? We offer a free version, as well as paid memberships for full access to all 4 of our local newsletters:
➡️ Opt in or out of different newsletters on your “My Account” page.
➡️ Learn more about The Charlotte Ledger
The Charlotte Ledger is a locally owned media company that delivers smart and essential news through e-newsletters and on a website. We strive for fairness and accuracy and will correct all known errors. The content reflects the independent editorial judgment of The Charlotte Ledger. Any advertising, paid marketing, or sponsored content will be clearly labeled.
Like what we are doing? Feel free to forward this along and to tell a friend.
Social media: On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Sponsorship information/customer service: email support@cltledger.com.