The Charlotte Independence professional soccer team joined the United Soccer League (USL) Championship as an expansion team in September 2014. An ownership group led by Jim McPhilliamy, the President & Managing Partner of Major League Lacrosse’s Charlotte Hounds, acquired the USL franchise rights from the Charlotte Eagles. McPhilliamy and his investment group founded Queen City Sports Club with the goal of making Charlotte a better place to live through annual increases in both the quality and quantity of events that are provided for the community.
During the inaugural season, the team played at UNC Charlotte, Winthrop University and a temporary facility at Ramblewood Soccer Complex while a deal was struck with Mecklenburg County officials to renovate American Legion Memorial Stadium. Construction was slated to begin in late 2017, but due to negotiations involving Marcus Smith’s MLS bid, the plan was tabled. Throughout, the Independence continued to grow by moving to their new home stadium at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews in spring of 2017.
In the fall of 2018, Queen City Sports Club and the Charlotte Independence professional soccer signed a 10-year lease to move to American Legion Memorial Stadium following a revitalization of the historic landmark set for spring of 2021.
The Independence name was chosen after a round of focus groups with Charlotte’s most passionate soccer fans, including members of the Queen City Outlaws, Charlotte’s Chapter of the American Outlaws. Independence serves to capture and celebrate Charlotte’s rebellious and visionary history.
On May 19, 1775, the citizens of Charlotte learned of the massacre of colonists by the British at the Battle of Concord and Lexington. Angered at this news and already burdened by the oppressive, unjust laws of King George III, a group of citizens met through the night and into the morning of May 20th to draft the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. It marked the first ever document in United States history to call for complete independence from the Crown of England and was signed by Mecklenburg citizens on May 20, 1775.
The group met again on May 31 to draft a set of Resolves that outlined how they would self govern. A young tavern owner, Captain James Jack, volunteered to take the treasonous documents to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Knowing full well that if caught he would be immediately hung, Captain Jack risked his livelihood to transport the documents. Captain Jack arrived safely in Philadelphia in June 1775, demanding Mecklenburg County’s declaration of independence be read into record.
Captain Jack has become a legendary figure in the annals of Charlotte Mecklenburg history. He is a significant symbol of our community — a community that has risked everything for the rights and protections that we take for granted today.
This spirit is what the Independence seeks to honor, both on and off the field.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Queen City Soccer Club, LLC
PO Box 30728
Charlotte, NC 28230-0728
704-206-1515
