If there’s one thing I really want Charlotte to focus on it’s youth development. Take a page from FC Dallas and start building the academy to have players coming into the first team in droves this way. One major critique I have about Atlanta is that they have completely neglected youth development. Hopefully (as an Atlanta fan #1, and Charlotte #2, *I live in between*) they get that sorted out. But Charlotte has a rich base to start recruiting young talent. And if Atlanta isn’t careful, I see young players wanting to sign with Charlotte over Atlanta.
Yep- Charlotte has a great youth soccer infrastructure (dominated by Charlotte Soccer Academy, which has been in USDA since 2007). Agree that it would be very exciting for Tepper to make this a part of his plan.
CHARLOTTE MLS OFFICIALLY JOINS US SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY Charlotte MLS will join the Development Academy for the 2020-21 season and is committed to commencing its youth academy program by August 2020 https://charlottemls2021.com/charlotte-mls-officially-joins-us-soccer-development-academy/