History of the Eagles (1997-2000)
July 6, 2012 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
1997: Head Coach Brian Davidson stepped down from coaching after the1996 season which allowed him to concentrate on his duties as President of the Charlotte Eagles. General Manager Tim Donelli shifted roles within the Eagles Office Administration. In four short years Davidson, Donelli and the staff helped start a new franchise and developed the franchise both on and off the field, even taking the team to the USL D3 Pro League Championship Game.
Founder Brian Davidson laid a strong foundation for the values of the organization that are felt today. For his efforts Davidson was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame as a Builder. Mark Steffens would assume the Head Coach role and Tom Engstrom took over the General Manager's responsibilities. Both men are still in these positions and are now in their 16th season.
The 97 Eagles posted a12-6 record good for 3rd place in the South Atlantic Division of the D3 Pro League. The Eagles went on quite a playoff run defeating the South Carolina Shamrocks 3-2 and the Mrytle Beach SeaDawgs 4-3 (SO) to win the South Atlantic Division Championship.
The Eagles defeated the Indiana Blast 6-0 in the D3 Pro League Quarterfinals. (The Blast featured future Eagles star Dustin Swinehart). The Eagles defeated the San Francisco Bay Seals 4-2 in the League Semifinals. The Seals were in the midst of historic US Open Cup run.
The Seals had defeated two MLS teams before losing to DC United in the Open Cup Semifinals. The altitude and quality of the host Albuquerque Geckos were too much for the Eagles as they lost 4-1 in the Championship Game.
This was the last season for Philippe Berthoud. Philippe was a full-time staff member with the Eagles/MAI. One of his passions was urban ministry. He led the Eagles Soccer in the Streets program.
One of the urban ministry partners was David Thurman. To this day David continues to give great insight into the current Urban Eagles program.
Did You Know?
...... Mike Silzer is the Head Soccer Coach and Athletic Director at Troy High School in Fullerton, CA.
...... Ricky Mobley is the Head Coach at Carroll University in Wisconsin.
...... David Dixon is the Head Coach of Mississippi Brilla in the PDL.
...... KJ Hill was an Assistant Coach at Campbelll University before going into full-time ministry.
...... Jeff Dresser is a Coaching Director for Noblesville United Soccer Club in Indiana.
...... Brad McGlauhlin, Steve Mott, Jeremy Sorzano and Jake Tassy all came from Messiah College.
...... Paul Zimmerman is one of the most respected referees in the Charlotte area.
Editor's Omission:
Did You Know?
1994: Joey Serralta was involved in running two USL teams and is currently a High School Teacher and Soccer Coach in Houston, TX.
1995: Brad Agoos was the Head Coach at Seattle University for six seasons.
1995: Ian Dennis has been coaching soccer at Charlotte Country Day School for 15 years and is the Classic Girls U15-18 Coaching Director for Charlotte United Futbol Club.
1998: The D3 Pro League maintained 39 teams for the 1998 season. The Eagles finished third in the eight team Atlantic Division. The Eagles again won the Atlantic Division Playoffs this time defeating the Wilmington Hammerheads 4-0 and the Mrytle Beach SeaDawgs 8-3. The Eagles playoff run was halted in the D3 Pro League Quarterfinals by the Orlando Nighthawks 3-2 in overtime.
The Eagles welcomed Dustin Swinehart for the first of his 12 seasons in 1998. The Eagles pro team took a tour to the Middle East in December in what would the first of several international tours over the years.
Did You Know?
...... Josh Farrah and Kevin O'Brien were college teammates on the College of Charleston team that went to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
...... Jeremy Sorzano and Jason Webb are owners of Soccer Shots, a national soccer business with over 50 franchises.
...... Johnny Jackman played at Cal St. Fullerton, site of the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinal Game between the Eagles and Chivas USA.
1999: By 1999 the economic difficulties of running a professional soccer franchise had contributed to the dwindling of the D3 Pro League
to 26 teams. The Eagles won the Atlantic Conference Regular Season
with a 14-4-1 record. The Eagles defeated the Northern Virginia Royals 4-0 and Wilmington Hammerheads 3-2 to win the Atlantic Conference Playoffs. in what would be a disappointing loss the Eagles lost to the South Jersey Barons 3-2 in a shoot out in the D3 Pro League Semifinals.
Ryan Leib was named First Team All-League and Dustin a Swinehart was named Second Team All-League. This would mark the first of eleven seasons that the tenacious Ben Johnson would don the Eagles jersey.
Did You Know?
...... Doug Hess is the Head Coach of Drexel University.
...... Todd Elkins can grow a beard in three days.
...... John Clare's son Matt plays professionally for theTamps Bay Rowdies. Matt scored last year against the Bolton Wanderers of the EPL in an exhibition last year.
...... Goalkeeper Sal Fontana played for Coach Steffens as a youth player in New York.
2000: The Charlotte Eagles won their first USL Championship with
a resounding 5-0 win over the New Jersey Stallions before a crowd of
5,000 at Providence High School. Dustin Swinehart scored three goals and was named the Championship Game MVP. The Eagles had a 11-4-3 record and finished the regular season third in the Atlantic Division.
The magical playoff run began with a 3-1 victory over the Wilmington Hammerheads and continued with a 4-1 victory over the Carolina Dynamo. The Eagles defeated the Utah Blitz 4-2 in the D3 Pro League Semifinals before a crowd of about 2,700 on a rainy night at Providence High School.
Dustin Swinehart led the team in scoring with 13 goals during the regular season. A number of other players scored multiple goals including Mark Pinch 7, Ryan Leib 5, NateWatkins 5, Rob Mouw 4, Steve Mott 4, JeffJohnson 3 and Joey Johnson 2. Burmudan International Dwayne Adams was a solid addition to the group of goalkeepers. Former Colombian International Hugo Galeano quickly became a crowd favorite.
This would be the last of a then club record eight seasons for Brad McGlaughlin. Brad was the last "original" Eagle. Brad was a captain for the Eagles. His consistent hard world, humility and servant attitude was a great example to all who had contact with him.
Did You Know?
...... Dr. Neal Andrews is a medical doctor in Monroe, NC.
...... The Eagles had three Johnson's on the team from Liberty
University: Brother's Jeff and Joey.....and Ben.
...... Donn Truax's wife Cyndie worked in the marketing department.
...... Jamie Wellington is a teacher and varsity soccer coach at Archer High School in Georgia.
...... Ryan Leib is the Soccer Director for Briarwood Soccer Club, a ministry of Briarwood Church inBirmingham, AL.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 6, 2012
- Battery Loses to Eagles - Charleston Battery
- Harrisburg comes from behind to beat Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- City Islanders To Host Antigua Saturday - Penn FC
- History of the Eagles (1997-2000) - Charlotte Eagles
- Game Time Changed for Saturday, July 7 - Penn FC
- Blues' Dike Named to USL PRO Team of the Week - Orange County SC
- Wilmington, Richmond Meet for Third Time - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Kickers Travel to Wilmington Saturday - Richmond Kickers
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.
