10 things Charlotte FC has taught us about soccer
From the meaning of 'Olympico' to Christian Fuchs' influence to the impact Lattanzio has had, this expansion MLS franchise is teaching Charlotte about soccer — and entertaining us, too.
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.
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Charlotte is embracing pro soccer — and catching on to it, too
We’ve learned that winger McKinze Gaines is fast — and that Kevin Young is good at taking pictures! (Photo by Kevin Young of The 5 and 2 Project.)
Sure, Charlotte is a city of soccer newbies, and I’m right there, too.
I’ll admit it: I don’t understand all of the terminology. I’ve figured out what a “brace” is (scoring two goals) but still needed clarification on what having “tekkers” means (mad skills).
I wasn’t 100% sure if Charlotte FC was singular or plural, or required a “the” in front. My editor had to call me out for using “the” about half the time halfway through the season. Like our city, I’m learning.
Charlotte is rallying around this team, which is coming off its first road win in Houston, followed by a season-high four goals at home against Nashville. The team is hanging in there, in 7th place in MLS’ Eastern Conference. We also know by now that the top seven teams in each conference make the playoffs.
What else do we know? Let’s take stock, as the team heads into the stretch run.
Here are 10 things we’ve learned about soccer and Charlotte FC on this first-season ride so far:
1. You can score from the corner.
Not just on a corner kick, but literally from the corner. It’s called an “Olympico,” and it counts as a goal (LOL.) Until I saw Jordy Alcivar do it for Charlotte’s lone goal in a 1-0 win against Atlanta, I didn’t know a ball could take that kind of trajectory, or what it was called when it did.
2. Supporters groups are the lifeblood of Charlotte FC’s success.
The so-called “volunteers” who run these fan groups are basically working second jobs. And they put their lives, hearts — and voices into it. Chico, or “La Muerte” — arguably Charlotte FC’s No. 1 fan — was still hoarse four days after a game when I interviewed him for this story. Hats off to everybody who comes out hours early to tailgate, march, then chant, cheer and drum their way through the game. Pass the lozenge.
Charlotte FC fans going nuts during win over New York City Red Bulls. (Photo illustration by Kevin Young of The 5 and 2 Project.)
3. The schedule of an MLS team changes on the fly.
Charlotte had three U.S. Open Cup tournament games dropped into the schedule midweek. Now here comes an exhibition game against Chelsea — as in the storied “Big Four” franchise from ENGLAND. This Wednesday, July 20, Charlotte fans have a chance to see how their team stacks up against one of the best in the world and to see U.S. National team stud Christian Pulisic, who plays for Chelsea, suit up in Charlotte.
4. Christian Lattanzio should have been the coach all along.
He’s taken the same players fired coach Miguel Angel Ramirez had, and basically the same system, and gone 3-2-1, including the first road win. Charlotte FC was 5-8-1 in the first 14 games under Ramirez, which wasn’t exactly shabby. Lattanzio plucked Anton Walkes and Sergio Ruiz from bench obscurity, took a chance on rookie Quinn McNeill and has kept stars like Andre Shinyashiki and Ben Bender fired up, even when relegated to substituting roles. He seems to have the respect, and the attention, of the team. As Bender put it, where there was doubt, there’s now belief.
5. Christian Fuchs has the last word.
In a single 29-minute Zoom press conference, the captain and ambassador of the team put to rest anything controversial about what had felt like a stunning firing of Miguel Angel Ramirez 14 games into the season. By the time Fuchs was finished outlining how Ramirez — while being open and receptive to fans and media — had not been the same with players, there was little reason to question why he was out the door, despite some success on the field.
6. Upper deck tickets should be a thing.
The front office heeded fans’ call to open the upper deck at Bank of America Stadium and give fans a shot at more affordable tickets. Only the lower bowl had been open since the record-setting crowd of 74,479 at the first home game. Fans bought up some 5,500 seats in a limited number of sections open for Saturday night’s game against Nashville. They contributed to an announced attendance of 36,246, the second-highest of the season. And frankly the “cheap seats” looked fuller than some lower bowl sections, where expensive seats were bought up but not occupied.
7. Kristijan Kahlina is a good sport as well as a good goalkeeper.
We’ve seen some chippy play so far (Red Bulls and Austin FC, I’m talking to you), but the moments of great sportsmanship are what grab my attention. One image that stuck with me was watching Kahlina stop to stretch out an opponent’s hamstring while he waited for his team’s medical staff to get to him. The guy was in obvious pain, cramping. Kudos, Kahlina.
8. A Charlotte FC game is way more fun than a Carolina Panthers game.
I’m no Panthers expert (I’m a Cowboys fan!) but my sister is a season-ticket holder for Charlotte FC, and she has had Panthers season tickets since 1996. She’s having more fun watching soccer! First of all, Charlotte FC wins at home. Secondly, the stadium isn’t infested with opposing fans (just a smallish group stuck up in a corner). There’s non-stop action and a cheering section almost as rowdy as Cameron Indoor Stadium. And it’s not just my sister, if I had a dime for every story I’ve heard or read of someone bringing a friend to his or her first game and what a blast he or she had, I’d be writing this from the Caymans.
9. Designated player Karol Swiderski cares much more than fans give him credit for.
The language barrier makes it hard to know what the star player from Poland is thinking, and his body language can read frustrated and aloof. But to see the carnage Swiderski made out of the “throne” built a few rows into the supporters’ section at Bank of America Stadium last Saturday night after scoring his first goal in 12 games should tell you something.
10. Bottomless popcorn bowls and a pair of binoculars are the key to getting young children through a Charlotte FC game.
Not only did I see one 4-year-old make it through a two-hour game with flying colors, but two of them. And my twin sons are ready to go back!
Wes (left) and Johnny Walton chowing down on some “bottomless” popcorn at their first Charlotte FC game. (Photo by Mama.)
Up Next: Charlotte FC (8-10-2) at Inter Miami (6-9-4)
When/Where: 8 p.m. Saturday, DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
How to watch: WAXN (Channel 64), Telemundo, or live stream at www.charlottefootballclub/live or on the Charlotte FC app. Local restrictions apply.
Notable:
Defender Guzman Corujo is questionable with a sore hamstring he injured against Nashville. He’s been back in practice but working out on his own. If he’s unable to go, Lattanzio can either put Christian Makoun at Guzman’s center back spot and keep Christian Fuchs at left back, or move Fuchs to center back and put Joseph Mora in at left back.
Charlotte FC is back on the road after picking up its first road win of the season 2-1 in Houston on July 3. Charlotte is now 1-7-2 on the road vs. 7-3 at Bank of America Stadium.
Charlotte FC has scored six goals in two games with a lineup that features Yordy Reyna on the wing and Sergio Ruiz and Quinn McNeill at midfield.
Andre Shinyashiki has scored a goal off the bench in each of the last two games. He has five goals in nine MLS games now for Charlotte FC, the first of which came in his Charlotte debut May 7, after being traded from Colorado. He scored the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Miami that day.
Previous editions of Fútbol Friday
You can find previous issues of The Charlotte Ledger’s Fútbol Friday newsletter online.
Carroll Walton is a longtime baseball writer with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution now cutting her teeth on soccer and the Charlotte FC just as fans in Charlotte do. She would love to hear from you. E-mail her with questions, suggestions, story ideas and comments!
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Really enjoyed reading and learning! Must admit I have a vested interest in some 4 year-old twins who went and enjoyed a game and their popcorn.
Hi Charlotte Ledger, Sorry to comment off-topic. Your site is offered by Substack on its page about using Substack sections.
Do you know if you can switch a post from one section to a new section and retain your original likes/comments? I've asked Support, but I haven't had a response for a few days (they're always pretty busy).
Thanks and Cheers!