Charlotte's soccer team plays in front of sold-out crowd

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte's minor league soccer team is celebrating a huge milestone: its first sell-out crowd.

Charlotte Independence's success comes as the city considers making over Memorial Stadium for a major league soccer franchise.

Eyewitness News reporter Jenna Deery talked to the team's founder about why tax dollars are needed to make that happen.

The team would like to mirror the success the Charlotte Knights had when it moved from Fort Mill to uptown Charlotte.

The team’s owners believe this view coupled with a new stadium will continue to broaden Charlotte's appeal to sports fans.

Charlotte Independence's founder, Jim McPhilliamy, has a dream.

“Ten years from now, I hope we're standing in the middle of a major league soccer stadium,” McPhilliamy said.

There are plans to accommodate twice the crowd size it can hold now where it plays at Ramblewood Soccer Complex on Nations Ford Road.

"While the playing environment is outstanding, locationally, it's challenged," McPhillilamy said. "We think we could have the same type of business success that the Knights have had downtown (uptown.)"
 
The plan is, to put about $24 million into Memorial Stadium near Central Piedmont Community College, splitting the cost three ways between the Charlotte Independence, the city and Mecklenburg
County.

The hope is the investment will help the team make a profit.

It's expected to face a $2.2 million deficit this season after major investments into players and its facilities.

Soccer fan Brandon Hernandez believes the investment will turn more fans out to the Charlotte Independence.

“Now that it will look nicer, a lot more people for soccer will come in,” Hernandez said.

City and county officials still have to sign off on plans for the stadium, which would be demolished and rebuilt and could be up for approval by September.
 
Construction could start late next year with a 2019 open date.

Cox Media Group