I am new to the board and did a search, but could not find much information (or really a lot on the Eagles at all). I see that the Eagles are still playing in a school stadium, is there any chance of getting into a different stadium? Maybe there is not enough attendees to justify it? Steve
I think a new stadium was approved in Mathews NC. However, with the down turn in the economy they don't have funds to do it. I think would like to move into new stadium. But they aren't really set up to fund something like that. Maybe they could talk a company like Chick fil a in funding it and getting title sponsorship. I could see some cynergy there. And really it doesn't have to be huge. Even 3 - 4 k would easily fit their current avg and provide room for growth.
I think that a christian group playing at a christian high school with no intentions of beer or profit works out pretty well. They probably aren't too concerned with it.
They DO needs to find a different place to play though (IMHO) lots of rain and even sink holes at Charlotte Christian school were really an embarrassment to them and the League last summer... and it takes a lot to embarrass the USL these days!
Don't they still rotate their home matches around several sites? Having just 1 site as your home field would be an improvement. One year, they played some (all?) their matches as UNCC, I'm sure that was a pretty nice place. But you're right, as much as fans may want a SSS to call their own, if they found several $mil in their pocket, they would choose to spend it on things other than a stadium. They've been around for 20 years, longer than MLS clubs and most every other soccer club in the US so their business plan seems to be working for them.
I played there last season, and I can say this: They are firstly concerned with the ministry (take it or leave it, thats just how it goes w/ the Eagles), and I can say they do a really good job at community out reach. Its much more than just a soccer club. Now onto the business about the stadium. In Matthews, NC (which is south of Charlotte proper), they have most of the funding put together for a very large complex w/ a small stadium as the main pitch (I may be wrong) where finals will be held etc. It is not an Eagles project, it is a local club project, which i'm sure the Eagles have a hand in. From what i've heard from the coaches mouth directly, there is interest from large pockets that want to get involved, but the organization is strict about its guidelines, and wont allow for certain things, that some investors would want to see (like alcohol sales at matches), or hooligan type fans like most the teams around the league have. They like that it is a family atmosphere where you don't hear bad mouthing from any of the 1.5k fans that show up at the weekend. All that being said, I would love for them to step into a permanent soccer specific home, even if it was just something similar to what Harrisburg has, which is just aluminum seating wrapped around 2 sides of the pitch with a nice area for the hardcore to hang out together on the 3rd side behind a goal. And with the Eagles being picky about who they allow to fund and donate to their team, you might think that it would be difficult to find a suitor, but there is BIG money around Charlotte and its in the pockets of very strong Christian believers. side note: Chic-Fil-A would be a cool sponsorship idea. I know that we ate there alot during the season, and the people eating/working there really did love us around.
Thanks for your insight Dev. As a Battery fan its great to be able to travel up to watch a match that is somewhat close. But the stadium is kind of a disappointment. I don't mind the lack of alcohol, I wait two hours for a beer but I do find myself slipping with a few colorful metaphors from time to time! A new stadium would be great and I hope it becomes a reality
Well, it looks like the Eagles will be playing at a new venue this year! Apparently there is a partnership with Queen's University and they will be playing at their soccer stadium. Can anyone confirm the amount of seats? On Google Earth it looks like there is a very small bleacher section and then grass seating. Hopefully they have added more bleachers since the Google sat went over. At least there are no gridiron lines. Press Release: Here Address: 229 Tyvola Rd. Charlotte, NC. 28210
I found pics on the Queens U. site. Doesn't look like much seating, but hey, you can have a picnic on the slope. http://www.queensathletics.com/sports/2008/8/8/GEN_0808082046.aspx?tab=facilities
Uhh, I was there last year. The only difference between this one and that one is that there's no track.
Maybe in size but if you were at the HS stadium last year you know that has to be THE worse turf. Our players hated playing on it and the coach wouldn't play a couple players because he was worried about potential injuries. Th The new place has a much more modern turf field and it is much wider not to mention it doesnt have the football gridlines on it. Okay it does have lacrosse markings but they are much less obtrusive. Also the Eagles were force to reschedule games due to a large sink hole that formed under the turf at the end of last season. Add in actual locker rooms and a press box I would say this is definitely a step up.
Potentially good news for the Charlotte Eagles - looks like the city of Matthews is moving forward with Phase 1 of the Matthews Sportsplex -- the article does not say when the 8,000 seat stadium will be constructed. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/03/22/3927965/matthews-sportsplex-features-12.html I'm still waiting for NASL or MLS in Charlotte, but will try and support the Eagles in the meantime.
USL Media Guide lists Charlotte's stadium capacity as 600. Typo? That would be the smallest stadium for an actual pro club I can ever remember.
You saw the pictures of the stadium. The stands themselves are tiny, but they also have a good deal of berm space.
You believe everything can be determined by satellite photos. Also, humans like actual seats. At some point, I don't care,it's 600 seats.
I still think the Eagles should consider heading back to Memorial Stadium short- and long-term. The MLL Hounds seemed to have a good support there last year (I bought 4 season tix but was never able to go to a game). Even if the stadium is built in Matthews, it is way out on the southeastern periphery of Charlotte -- it would be better to have the Eagles more centrally located. I even wouldn't mind seeing a NPSL team in Charlotte like Detroit City FC -- I think there is space for 2 teams... Queen City Rovers!