The 2024 season is the third season for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of professional club soccer in the United States. The team is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was established in 2019. They made their MLS debut in the 2022 season. The 2024 season is their first for Charlotte FC under English head coach Dean Smith, who was hired in December 2023 and is the team's third manager.
| 2024 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting director | Zoran Krneta | ||
| Head coach | Dean Smith | ||
| Stadium | Bank of America Stadium | ||
| Major League Soccer | Conference: TBD Overall: TBD | ||
| MLS Cup Playoffs | TBD | ||
| Leagues Cup | TBD | ||
| | |||
Summary
During the offseason, Charlotte FC were unable to retain Karol Swiderski, their leading goalscorer, along with striker Kamil Jozwiak and defender Guzmán Corujo. The team signed two midfielders and promoted two attacking players from their reserve team, Crown Legacy FC. Charlotte FC began their preseason in January at the Florida International University campus in Miami, where they trained for twelve days. The team then traveled to Indio, California, to play in the Coachella Valley Invitational, a friendly competition with other MLS teams. During five official preseason matches, Charlotte FC had two wins and three draws.
The team hosted New York City FC at Bank of America Stadium to open the regular season on February 24 in front of 62,291 spectators. Charlotte FC won 1–0 with a goal in the eighth minute from defender Adilson Malanda's header on a corner kick; it marked the first time that Charlotte FC had won their opening match of the season. Sixteen-year-old forward Nimfasha Berchimas, a homegrown player for Charlotte FC, entered the match as a substitute and became the ninth-youngest player to play in a regular season MLS match.
Preseason results
- Key
Win Draw Loss Void Upcoming fixture
| January 26 | Charlotte FC | 3–3 | Sporting Kansas City | University Park, Florida |
| 11:00 am EST | Report | Stadium: FIU Soccer Stadium |
| February 3 | Los Angeles FC | 2–2 | Charlotte FC | Los Angeles, California |
| 2:00 pm EST |
| Report |
| Stadium: LAFC Performance Center Attendance: 0 (closed doors) |
| Note: Scrimmage divided into four periods of 30 minutes each. | ||||
| February 7 | LA Galaxy | 0–3 | Charlotte FC | Indio, California |
| 2:00 pm EST | Report | Stadium: Empire Polo Club |
| February 10 | Charlotte FC | 1–0 | San Jose Earthquakes | Indio, California |
| 2:00 pm EST |
| Report | Stadium: Empire Polo Club |
| February 17 | Minnesota United FC | 0–0 | Charlotte FC | Indio, California |
| 1:00 pm EST | Report | Stadium: Empire Polo Club |
Competitions
Charlotte FC will not participate in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup as part of a compromise agreement reached between MLS and U.S. Soccer to allow MLS Next Pro affiliate teams to instead play in the competition. Crown Legacy FC will enter in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup, while eight other MLS teams will enter in the round of 32.
Major League Soccer
League tables
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | New York Red Bulls | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 17 | Qualification for Round One |
| 5 | Columbus Crew | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 15 | |
| 6 | Charlotte FC | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 13 | −1 | 14 | |
| 7 | New York City FC | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 12 | −1 | 14 | |
| 8 | Philadelphia Union | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 19 | 16 | +3 | 14 | Qualification for the Wild card round |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Los Angeles FC | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 15 | Qualification for the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 |
| 12 | Columbus Crew | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 15 | |
| 13 | Charlotte FC | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 13 | −1 | 14 | |
| 14 | New York City FC | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 12 | −1 | 14 | |
| 15 | Houston Dynamo FC | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 10 | −1 | 14 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Notes:
Regular season
The 2024 regular season schedule was released on December 20, 2023. Charlotte FC will play 34 matches—17 at home and 17 on the road—primarily against opponents from the Eastern Conference. The team will play each intra-conference opponent twice and six matches against teams from the Western Conference. The 2024 season marks the first time that Charlotte FC will play against Minnesota United FC and the Portland Timbers. A break in regular season play for the 2024 Leagues Cup begins in mid-July and ends in late August.
| February 24 1 | Charlotte FC | 1–0 | New York City FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EST | Report |
| Stadium: Bank of America Stadium Attendance: 62,291 Referee: Mario Maric |
| March 2 2 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 1–1 | Charlotte FC | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| 7:30 pm EST | Report | Stadium: BC Place Attendance: 29,624 Referee: Scott Bowman |
| March 9 3 | Toronto FC | 1–0 | Charlotte FC | Toronto, Ontario |
| 2:00 pm EST | Report | Stadium: BMO Field Attendance: 26,345 Referee: Chris Grabas |
| March 16 4 | Nashville SC | 2–1 | Charlotte FC | Nashville, Tennessee |
| 8:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 28,008 Referee: Esteban Rosano |
| March 23 5 | Charlotte FC | 2–0 | Columbus Crew | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium Attendance: 30,104 Referee: Christopher Calderon |
| March 30 6 | Charlotte FC | 1–1 | FC Cincinnati | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium Attendance: 30,043 Referee: Rubiel Vazquez |
| April 6 7 | New England Revolution | 1–0 | Charlotte FC | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 22,196 Referee: Sergii Boiko |
| April 13 8 | Charlotte FC | 3–2 | Toronto FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium Attendance: 31,414 Referee: Allen Chapman |
| April 21 9 | Charlotte FC | 0–3 | Minnesota United FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 6:00 pm EDT |
| Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium Attendance: 27,021 Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere | |
| Note: Originally scheduled for April 20 and moved to April 21. | ||||
| April 27 10 | New York City FC | 2–1 | Charlotte FC | New York City, New York |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Yankee Stadium Attendance: 20,119 Referee: Ismir Pekmic |
| May 4 11 | Charlotte FC | 2–0 | Portland Timbers | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report |
| Stadium: Bank of America Stadium Attendance: 27,495 Referee: Malik Badawi |
| May 11 12 | Charlotte FC | v | Nashville SC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| May 15 13 | Chicago Fire FC | v | Charlotte FC | Chicago, Illinois |
| 8:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Soldier Field |
| May 18 14 | Charlotte FC | v | LA Galaxy | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| May 25 15 | Charlotte FC | v | Philadelphia Union | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| May 29 16 | New York Red Bulls | v | Charlotte FC | Harrison, New Jersey |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Red Bull Arena |
| June 2 17 | Atlanta United FC | v | Charlotte FC | Atlanta, Georgia |
| 4:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| June 15 18 | Charlotte FC | v | D.C. United | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| June 19 19 | Charlotte FC | v | Orlando City SC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| June 22 20 | Philadelphia Union | v | Charlotte FC | Chester, Pennsylvania |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Subaru Park |
| June 29 21 | Houston Dynamo FC | v | Charlotte FC | Houston, Texas |
| 8:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium |
| July 3 22 | Charlotte FC | v | Inter Miami CF | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| July 13 23 | FC Cincinnati | v | Charlotte FC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: TQL Stadium |
| July 17 24 | Columbus Crew | v | Charlotte FC | Columbus, Ohio |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Lower.com Field |
| July 20 25 | Austin FC | v | Charlotte FC | Austin, Texas |
| 8:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Q2 Stadium |
| August 24 26 | Charlotte FC | v | New York Red Bulls | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| August 31 27 | Charlotte FC | v | Atlanta United FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| September 14 28 | CF Montréal | v | Charlotte FC | Montreal, Quebec |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Saputo Stadium |
| September 18 29 | Orlando City SC | v | Charlotte FC | Orlando, Florida |
| 8:00 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Inter&Co Stadium |
| September 21 30 | Charlotte FC | v | New England Revolution | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| September 28 31 | Inter Miami CF | v | Charlotte FC | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Chase Stadium |
| October 2 32 | Charlotte FC | v | Chicago Fire FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| October 5 33 | Charlotte FC | v | CF Montréal | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
| October 19 34 | D.C. United | v | Charlotte FC | Washington, D.C. |
| 7:30 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Audi Field |
Leagues Cup
The 2024 Leagues Cup is the second edition to feature all MLS and Liga MX teams during the month-long pause in the regular season from July to August. Charlotte FC was drawn into the East 4 group alongside the Philadelphia Union and Cruz Azul of Liga MX.
Group stage
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia Union | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Charlotte FC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Cruz Azul | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
| July 27 Group Stage | Philadelphia Union | v | Charlotte FC | Chester, Pennsylvania |
| 8:00 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Subaru Park |
| July 31 Group Stage | Charlotte FC | v | Cruz Azul | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 8:00 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium |
Players
For the 2024 season, Charlotte FC are permitted a maximum of 30 signed players on the first team, of which 10 roster positions were designated for supplemental and reserve players. A base salary cap of $5.47 million applied to the non-supplemental players with exceptions for certain categories, including up to three Designated Players who counted for a set amount in the cap.
Roster
- As of February 26, 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | FW | USA | Nimfasha Berchimas (HG) |
| 28 | MF | FRA | Djibril Diani |
| 29 | DF | FRA | Adilson Malanda |
| 30 | MF | BRA | Júnior Urso |
| 31 | GK | USA | George Marks |
| 32 | DF | SEN | Hamady Diop (GA) |
| 33 | FW | USA | Patrick Agyemang |
| 34 | MF | USA | Andrew Privett |
| 35 | MF | USA | Nick Scardina |
| 36 | MF | CAN | Brandon Cambridge (HG) |
| 37 | MF | CAN | Scott Arfield |
| 38 | FW | CPV | Iuri Tavares |
| 39 | DF | USA | Jack Neeley (HG) |
| 40 | DF | USA | Jahlane Forbes |
| — | MF | USA | Brian Romero (HG) |
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Coaching staff
- As of February 2024
| Technical staff | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Dean Smith |
| Assistant coach | Pa-Modou Kah |
| Assistant coach | Christian Fuchs |
| Sporting director | Zoran Krnet |
| Head of goalkeeping | Aron Hyde |
| Head video coach | Rohan Sachdev |
Transfers
In
| Player | Nat. | No. | Pos. | Previous team | Notes | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chituru Odunze | United States | 26 | GK | Crown Legacy FC | January 18, 2024 | |
| João Pedro Reginaldo | Brazil | 20 | DF | Crown Legacy FC | January 18, 2024 | |
| David Bingham | United States | 22 | GK | Portland Timbers | January 30, 2024 | |
| Djibril Diani | France | 28 | MF | SM Caen | February 13, 2024 | |
| Tyger Smalls | England | 25 | FW | Loyola Marymount Lions | 2024 MLS SuperDraft selection (14th overall) | February 14, 2024 |
| Jahlane Forbes | United States | 40 | DF | Wake Forest Demon Deacons | 2024 MLS SuperDraft selection (38th overall) | February 14, 2024 |
| Nikola Petković | Serbia | 25 | MF | Crown Legacy FC | February 15, 2024 | |
| Iuri Tavares | Cape Verde | 38 | FW | Crown Legacy FC | February 20, 2024 | |
| Júnior Urso | Brazil | 30 | MF | Orlando City SC | February 21, 2024 |
Out
| Player | Nat. | No. | Pos. | New team | Notes | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison Afful | Ghana | 25 | DF | Crown Legacy FC | Option declined | October 30, 2023 |
| Chris Hegardt | United States | 19 | MF | Stabæk | Option declined | October 30, 2023 |
| Pablo Sisniega | Mexico | 23 | GK | San Antonio FC | Option declined | October 30, 2023 |
| Jan Sobociński | Poland | 2 | DF | PAS Giannina F.C. | Option declined | October 30, 2023 |
| Adrian Zendejas | Mexico | 30 | GK | Skövde AIK | Option declined | October 30, 2023 |
| Derrick Jones | United States | 20 | MF | Columbus Crew | Out of contract | October 30, 2023 |
| Justin Meram | Iraq | 22 | FW | Out of contract | October 30, 2023 | |
| McKinze Gaines | United States | 17 | FW | Nashville SC | Traded for 2024 MLS SuperDraft second-round pick | December 14, 2023 |
| Karol Świderski | Poland | 11 | FW | Hellas Verona FC | Loaned until June 30 with option to purchase | February 1, 2024 |
| Kamil Jóźwiak | Poland | 7 | FW | Granada CF | February 1, 2024 | |
| Vinicius Mello | Brazil | 21 | FW | FK Čukarički | February 6, 2024 | |
| Guzmán Corujo | Uruguay | 4 | DF | FK Čukarički | February 13, 2024 |