Charlotte Eagles - the First Year

June 23, 2012 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release


1993: The Charlotte Eagles started competing in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) in 1993. But the story began before that. Missionary Athletes International (MAI) was founded in 1983 in California by Tim Conrad in order to share the message of Jesus Christ using the platform of soccer.

By 1991 MAI had commissioned Brian and Chris Davidson and Rick and Janice McKinley to start an office in the Eastern United States. God put in Brian Davidson's heart the desire to have a higher level soccer team that could be used for the glory of God. In 1993, the opportunity came to own a franchise in the USL (USISL at that time).

The Eagles competed in the Atlantic Division which consisted of theBaltimore Bays, Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Connecticut Wolves, Columbia Spirit, Delaware Wizards, Greensboro Dynamo, Raleigh Flyers and Richmond Kickers.

In all, 42 teams competed in the 1993 USISL season. Five of the 42 franchises remain today in the USL (Carolina Dynamo, Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, El Paso Patriots and Richmond Kickers).

Brian Davidson was the President and Head Coach of the Eagles in 1993. Joining the front office was General Manager Tim Donelli, an experienced sports executive and broadcaster. Brian recruited a young local high school coach from Charlotte Latin High School, Lee Horton, to be his assistant coach.

Putting a new team together on short notice was no easy task. The team had some veteran experience with Kevin Dakin, Pat Fidelia (US National Team experience), Greg Ryan (Chicago Sting, NASL), Graham West and three players from the professional indoor league (Scott Cook, Jeff Devettori and Phil Wolf).

There was plenty of youth including five players from Judson College (Jason Acres, Jim Cook, Kelly Findley, Meanu Kayea and Freddie King) and four players from Messiah College (Brad McCarty, Brad McGlaughlin, Todd Suessmuth and Jake Tassy).

Perseverance has been a trademark of the Charlotte Eagles the last twenty years. This first team helped develop the culture of perseverance. Despite a slow start the team kept working hard. The Eagles first recorded win was against the Delaware Wizards in the sixth game of the year. The team finished the second half of the season strong and concluded the inaugural season with a 5-11 record.

Community support has been another important ingredient to the success of the Eagles. Banner Signs, Chick-fil-a Arboretum and Coca-Cola are three businesses that began partnering with the Eagles 1993 and twenty years later are still corporate partners.

DID YOU KNOW?

--Jake Tassy scored the first goal ever.

--David Olson has had a career working in church based sports ministry.

--Mac Lackey is the CEO/Founder of KYCK.com.

--Greg Ryan was the Head Coach of the US Women's National Team in the 2007 World Cup.

--Brad McCarty is the two time National Champion coach of Messiah College.

--Kelly Findley is the Head Men's Soccer Coach at NC State.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 23, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central