PHOTO | TROY HULL

The Charlotte Independence debuted at the renovated Memorial Stadium Wednesday with a 3-2 loss to New York Red Bulls II in front of 4,231 fans.

The Charlotte Independence are finally home.

The USL Championship side debuted at renovated American Legion Memorial Stadium Wednesday in front of 4,231 fans with a 3-2 loss to New York Red Bull II. While fireworks, a roaring crowd and the Uptown skyline produced a festive atmosphere, Charlotte’s losing streak was extended to three matches.

“There is definitely some historic significance,” midfielder Brandt Bronico said. “It’s a bummer and disappointing that we couldn’t come out with a win tonight. I know the guys gave their all out there.”

Defender Hugh Roberts said the common denominator is the club, which has yet to produce consistent performances.

“This honestly is a summary of how our season has been going, ebbs and flows,” he said. “There is no consistency to our game right now. Yes, it was a tough result, but it speaks to us. Once we come together, once we change these things, we can win this league.”

Charlotte (5-6, 15 points, fourth in the Atlantic Division) unraveled against New York (3-6-3, 12 points) after striker Dane Kelly departed with a hamstring injury. Kelly, who, scored both goals, leads the Independence with six and is USL Championship's career leader with 94. With Phoenix Rising FC heading to Charlotte on July 10, he has little time to recover.

“My movement off the ball, running in behind and [midfielder Clay Dimick and Bronico] looking for me, that is what made me dangerous tonight,” Kelly said. “Losing the game was tough, so I can’t even celebrate the two goals.”

Where it began
The club’s journey to Memorial Stadium began in 2014. It was the first place Mike Jeffries visited when he interviewed for the head coaching position with the USL Championship expansion side. He would manage the club at four venues in two states over the next six years.

“It was just awesome to actually be here and be on the sideline,” Jeffries said. “That part was fantastic. It’s probably better than I imagined in terms of the setup, what the facility looks like and all those things.”

Roberts recalled traveling to Charlotte as an opponent and playing in other Mecklenburg County facilities, like Ramblewood Soccer Complex. Memorial Stadium offers a sense of permanence by comparison. 

“[Tonight] was a significant moment,” he said. “Going back to Ramblewood, we used to be in trailer locker rooms. We used to take showers kind of in like trailers and had to walk out of the trailer to the shower and then walk back in a towel. It’s been crazy. Ramblewood is a decent field, but not in comparison to this.”

Historic significance
Memorial Stadium was originally dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1936 and was home to the American Soccer League’s Carolina Lightnin’ in the 1980s. However, the stadium’s 58-yard-wide field was too narrow to accommodate modern professional soccer. It had also fallen into disrepair.

Mecklenburg County began renovating the stadium in 2019, with the intent of the Independence serving as the primary tenant. The $40.5 million project (10,500 seating capacity for a sporting event) features a synthetic turf field – 75 yards wide by 120 yards long – which makes it conducive to hosting professional and amateur sports as well as other events, such as concerts.

Comments