COMMERCE CITY, CO (December 8, 2017) – The Colorado Rapids of MLS and Charlotte Independence of the USL have renewed their MLS-USL affiliation for the 2018 season.
Colorado Rapids and Charlotte Independence Renew Affiliation for 2018
“For the past three seasons, Charlotte Independence has provided our young players with a fantastic atmosphere to further strengthen their development. They have a very dedicated staff, and we are certain that this extension will only prove to be beneficial for both clubs,” Rapids Sporting Director and Interim General Manager, Pádraig Smith.
As part of the agreement between the Colorado Rapids and Charlotte Independence, the Rapids will continue to loan first team players down to the USL side.
“We are very excited to continue our partnership with the Colorado Rapids. Our partnership allows us to continue to learn from the Rapids system and helps foster a winning environment that develops talent on the field. It is a win-win proposition that we are very happy will continue,” said Charlotte Independence President and Managing Partner, Jim McPhilliamy.
The Independence play in their new soccer stadium at the Sportsplex at Matthews in Matthews, NC. The club made the playoffs last year, finishing fifth in the USL Eastern Conference. In three USL seasons, the club has an all-time record of 37-26-27. They have made the playoffs two of the last three seasons.
Charlotte joined the USL as an expansion team in 2014. Since Spring 2015, they have been owned and operated by Queen City Soccer Club LLC. Per the club: “The goal of Queen City S.C. is to make Charlotte a better place to live by being the premier sports and entertainment company in our region through annual increases in both the quality and quantity of the events we provide for our community.”
The Rapids begin their 2018 campaign in January with a busy preseason before they begin play in the new format of the CONCACAF Champions League knockout rounds.
