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USL United Soccer League Championship

USL PRO Welcomes Charlotte Independence

September 17, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - USL PRO is proud to announce the Charlotte Independence will join the league beginning with the 2015 season. The team will feature an ownership group led by Jim McPhilliamy, the current President & Managing Partner of Major League Lacrosse's Charlotte Hounds.

Professional soccer has a long and illustrious history in Charlotte, with the Charlotte Eagles having spent 20 years in USL's professional divisions, the past four in USL PRO. With the transfer of the Charlotte USL PRO rights to the Independence, the Eagles will move down to the U23 PDL beginning in 2015.

"USL is doubly delighted to welcome the Charlotte Independence into USL PRO and the Charlotte Eagles into the PDL," USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. "These developments, along with Orlando City moving up to MLS and the Austin Aztex moving up from the PDL to USL PRO, demonstrate precisely the type of structure underneath MLS that will create a solid foundation for the future of American soccer.

"The Charlotte Independence, with their distinguished professional sports experience, will be one of the driving factors in placing the city of Charlotte prominently on the U.S. soccer map while contributing to the growth and success of USL PRO, on and off the field," Papadakis continued.

Owned and operated by Queen City Soccer Club LLC, the Independence will play at historic American Legion Memorial Stadium, home of the Charlotte Hounds. The Independence are currently working with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, the City of Charlotte and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority to prepare the stadium for the 2015 USL PRO season.

"We are excited to be launching the Charlotte Independence at a time when soccer is booming," McPhilliamy said. "Our vision is to make Charlotte a better place to live by increasing the quantity and quality of the events we bring to town. The announcement of the Charlotte Independence soccer team is a huge leap for our organization in furthering that vision.

"We will try to make each event as much fun as possible for the Charlotte community. This team will be a true community property and it's going to be exciting to see it grow and succeed here in Charlotte."

The team name was chosen after a round of focus groups with Charlotte's most passionate soccer fans. Independence serves as a nod to the famous May 20, 1775 date when the citizens of Mecklenburg County signed the first document calling for complete independence from the Crown of England. To encourage active involvement with fans and the community, the Independence will initiate a "Choose the Logo" campaign with fans able to vote for their favorite option at www.charlotteindependence.com .

Announcements regarding Independence coaching staff and management will be made in the coming weeks.

USL PRO features 14 teams in 2014 with new franchises already announced for 2015 in Austin, Texas, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Louisville, Kentucky, St. Louis, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma. For the past several years USL PRO has been part of a groundbreaking partnership with MLS that has further elevated the quality and stature of USL PRO, strengthened the competition in both leagues, and established a solid foundation for future collaboration.

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