USL League One News

Charlotte, N.C. (January 15, 2025) – Charlotte Independence announced today the club has re-signed goalkeeper Matt Levy to a new contract for 2025, returning for his second season with the Jacks. 

“Matt has developed in his two years with Charlotte and has shown the confidence and poise to take over the goalkeeping mantle,” shared Charlotte Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. “His character and work rate are unmatched. With his athleticism, I believe he can develop into a goalkeeper able to move up the ranks.”

Levy was named USL League One Player of the Week in October 2024 after recording a season-high nine saves in his first professional start, helping the Jacks secure a 1-0 victory on the road against the Richmond Kickers. Levy is only the second player in league history to record nine or more saves in their first professional start. 

“I couldn’t be happier to re-sign with Charlotte. I’ve been with the club for a year and a half now and it’s been a great experience working with the coaches and being a part of the team,” expressed Levy. “Definitely looking forward to coming back, meeting the new guys and getting back in the swing of things because we have very big goals for this upcoming season.”

A Florida native, Levy played collegiately at Jacksonville University between 2018-21 before spending one season at Florida International University as a graduate transfer in 2022. Before signing his first professional contract with the Charlotte Independence in 2023, Levy spent time in USL League Two with the Charlotte Eagles.

The 2025 USL League One Season begins on Saturday, March 15 for the Jacks as they host long-time rivals Richmond Kickers at American Legion Memorial Stadium. 2025 Season Ticket Deposits are available now for just $25 per seat. This year, the club also introduced a new Lil’ Jacks Kids Season Ticket which includes all 17 home games starting at just $100. 

Visit CharlotteIndependence.com/SeasonTickets for more information. 

About Charlotte Independence:

The Charlotte Independence is a Division III professional men’s soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The club, founded in 2014, currently competes in USL League One and plays all home games at American Legion Memorial Stadium. As part of the Queen City Soccer Club, our mission is to make Charlotte a better place to live through sports. For information on club news, season tickets and more, visit CharlotteIndependence.com.

Charlotte, N.C. (January 13, 2025) – Charlotte Independence announced today Captain Clay Dimick will return for his 7th season with the club. Dimick was awarded the 2024 USL League One Comeback Player of the Year after becoming the first professional athlete to return to the pitch following a two-level cervical artificial disc replacement. Dimick played every minute of the 2024 season, helping the Independence reach the Jägermeister Cup Semifinals and the USL League One Playoffs. 

“Coming off a season in which he played every minute, Clay has been a rock on the right side for us, providing both stability and quality,” shared Charlotte Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. “Equally importantly, his leadership as captain has been a strong guiding force and will be called upon with a new group in 2025.”

2024 marked another milestone for Dimick, making his 100th club appearance on April 12. In total, he’s recorded 124 appearances for the Independence across regular season, playoffs and USL Jagermeister Cup play. Last season, he scored two goals and recorded 42 clearances with an 84.8% passing accuracy. 

“I am grateful to be back for 2025,” expressed Dimick. “The goal of bringing a trophy to the fans, club, and city remains the top priority. I am excited to do whatever I can to help our team achieve this. Looking forward to seeing everyone back at Memorial Stadium soon!” 

In 2023, Dimick scored his first professional goal in U.S. Open Cup play. He started and played a full 90 minutes in all 21 games he appeared in that season.

Dimick has played for the Independence since 2019. 

The 2025 USL League One Season begins on Saturday, March 15 for the Jacks as they host long-time rivals Richmond Kickers at American Legion Memorial Stadium. 2025 Season Ticket Deposits are available now for just $25 per seat. This year, the club also introduced a new Lil’ Jacks Kids Season Ticket which includes all 17 home games starting at just $100. 

Visit CharlotteIndependence.com/SeasonTickets for more information. 

About Charlotte Independence:

The Charlotte Independence is a Division III professional men’s soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The club, founded in 2014, currently competes in USL League One and plays all home games at American Legion Memorial Stadium. As part of the Queen City Soccer Club, our mission is to make Charlotte a better place to live through sports. For information on club news, season tickets and more, visit CharlotteIndependence.com.

TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One today announced its schedule for the 2025 season, the league’s seventh overall, which kicks off on Saturday, March 8 with three matches and concludes on Saturday, Oct. 25 with every team in action ahead of the 2025 USL League One Playoffs. 

The 2025 USL League One season will feature the largest field in league history with 14 clubs competing across 210 matches in the regular season. The regular season will consist of 30 matches with every team playing a home-and-home series against each of the other 13 clubs and then four additional matches – two home, two away – in a single table format. 

The recently announced expansion of the USL Jägermeister Cup will make up the remaining four matches in each club’s schedule, with group play beginning on April 25 and concluding on July 26, with dedicated USL Jägermeister Cup weekends in the last week of each month. The USL Jägermeister Cup includes all 38 professional men’s clubs competing in a World Cup-style tournament throughout the regular season with the USL Jägermeister Cup Final taking place on Saturday, Oct. 11. 

New clubs making their professional debuts take centerstage as AV ALTA FC, FC Naples, Portland Hearts of Pine, Texoma FC and Westchester SC all kick off their inaugural campaigns in 2025. FC Naples and Westchester SC will feature on opening weekend as they face off against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC and Greenville Triumph SC, respectively, on March 8. AV ALTA FC will begin on the road against South Georgia Tormenta FC on March 15, while fellow newcomer Texoma FC will start the season at home against One Knoxville SC on March 22. The final club to make its professional debut will be Portland Hearts of Pine as they travel to face FC Naples on March 29. 

Two-time League One champion Union Omaha will begin its title defense on the road against Greenville Triumph SC in a 2024 USL League One Playoffs rematch on March 12. The two winningest clubs in USL League One history, Greenville will seek its first-ever home win against the Owls. 

Other marquee early season matches include: 

• March 15: The two oldest clubs in the league will renew their decade-long rivalry for the 23rd time when the Charlotte Independence host the Richmond Kickers at American Legion Memorial Stadium with two of the longest-tenured coaches on the sidelines, Charlotte’s Mike Jeffries and Richmond’s Darren Sawatzky. 
• March 29: The first Henny Derby of the season between the Richmond Kickers and Forward Madison FC will be played before what’s always a raucous crowd at City Stadium as the ‘Mingos look to avenge last season’s result when the Kickers handed them their first loss of the 2024 season. 

VIEW IN FULL: The 2025 USL League One Schedule 

READ MORE: 10 Matches to Circle in 2025 

READ MORE: One USL Jägermeister Cup match each League One club should circle

All 14 clubs will kick off on the final day of the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 25 in pursuit of a spot in the 2025 USL League One Playoffs. Matches to circle on the final day include a rematch of the 2024 USL League One Final between Union Omaha and Spokane Velocity FC and the third and final Henny Derby of the season between the Richmond Kickers and Forward Madison FC. 

2025 USL LEAGUE ONE PLAYOFFS:

At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams in the regular season standings will qualify for the 2025 USL League One Playoffs which will kick off on the weekend of Nov. 1.   

The USL League One Playoffs will remain a single-elimination and fixed bracket format. The postseason will conclude with the 2025 USL League One Final taking place between Nov. 14 and Nov. 16. 

A New Decade for the Jacks. A New Era for USL League One.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (December 17, 2024) – Charlotte Independence today announced the club is now accepting 2025 Season Ticket Renewals and Deposits. For just $25 per seat, fans can secure their spot for what’s set to be a season unlike any other in USL League One.

2025 Season Ticket Packages will include tickets for 15 USL League One home games, two USL Jägermeister Cup home games and all home U.S. Open Cup matches. 

What’s New?:

The Charlotte Independence will offer a new Lil’ Jacks Season Ticket starting at $100. Kids ages 12 and under are eligible. 

2025 Season Ticket Member perks include: 

• 15% merchandise discount on select items.
• Tickets to all home U.S. Open Cup Games.
• Access to exclusive preseason and postseason events. 
• Purchase additional tickets at the Season Ticket Member rate. 
• Discounts on other events at American Legion Memorial Stadium.
• Early access to book group experiences. 
• Dedicated account representative. 

Click here to view all 2025 Season Ticket Member Pricing and Benefits. 

Franchise Moves: 

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC and Central Valley Fuego FC depart from the USL and Lexington SC has exercised its option to join the USL Championship for the 2025 season. Five new franchises will make their USL League One debuts: AV Alta FC, Portland Hearts of Pine, FC Naples, Texoma FC and Westchester FC. 

Roster Decisions: 

This week, the Charlotte Independence announced the departure of seven players: Austin Pack, Hugh Roberts, Shalom Dutey, Kharlton Belmar, Miguel Ibarra, Tresor Mbuyu and Denzel Akyeampong. 

2024 Recap: 

Charlotte’s first men’s professional soccer team kicks off its 11th season in 2025. In 2024, the Jacks finished 6th in the USL League One Standings with an overall record of 9-6-7. The club saw its fifth consecutive playoff appearance reaching the USL League One Quarterfinals.

Visit CharlotteIndependence.com/SeasonTickets to renew your season tickets or place your deposit for 2025. Questions? Email tickets@queencitysc.com or call 704-206-1515.  

ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE:

The Charlotte Independence is a Division III professional men’s soccer team located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The club, founded in 2014, currently competes in USL League One. The Jacks reached their first league final in club history in 2023. The Independence plays all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. As part of the Queen City Soccer Club, our mission is to make Charlotte a better place to live through sports. For information on club news, season tickets and more, visit charlotteindependence.com.

CHARLOTTE, NC (December 16, 2024) – The Charlotte Independence today announced the first round of roster decisions ahead of the 2025 season. 

Options on seven players have been declined: Austin Pack, Hugh Roberts, Shalom Dutey, Kharlton Belmar, Miguel Ibarra, Tresor Mbuyu and Denzel Akyeampong. 

Once a Jack. Always a Jack. The Charlotte Independence wish all departing players the best of luck as they take the next step in their careers, both on and off the pitch.

USL Championship and League One clubs to compete in new Cup format

TAMPA, Fla. (December 12, 2024) – The United Soccer League (USL) announced today the expansion of the USL Jägermeister Cup, uniting clubs from the USL Championship and League One in a groundbreaking interleague competition. The 2025 tournament represents a significant milestone for domestic soccer, as it marks the first time a U.S. soccer league has established its own interleague cup.

Entering its second year after a successful launch exclusively with League One clubs last season, the 2025 USL Jägermeister Cup will feature all 38 professional men’s clubs competing in a World Cup-style tournament throughout the regular season. Adding more meaningful matches to the annual calendar, the USL Jägermeister Cup includes fan-first modifications to encourage attacking soccer, such as penalty shootouts to determine match winners during the group stage and goals scored as the first tiebreaker in the group standings.

“We are thrilled to partner with Jägermeister to expand the competition to include both our men’s professional leagues and create more matches of consequence,” said USL President and Chief Soccer Officer Paul McDonough. “This new approach highlights the vision and commitment of our owners to explore innovative ways to adapt our structure, delivering a more compelling and entertaining format. This first-of-its-kind cup will give fans additional opportunities to support their teams and celebrate their communities in an exciting tournament.”

The USL Jägermeister Cup will consist of six regional groups [see below], with six or seven teams assigned by league or conference affiliation per group. Each team will play four matches – two home, two away – in group play with home assignments being randomly drawn. The group stage kicks off April 26 and concludes the weekend of July 26. After the group stage, a draw will set the matchups for the single-elimination knockout rounds, which will begin three weeks later. The USL Jägermeister Cup will conclude with the Final on the weekend of Oct. 11.

The Jägermeister brand has been a pioneer in sports business and soccer. In 1973, Jägermeister became the first company to place a logo on a Bundesliga club’s jersey with the sponsorship of Eintracht Braunschweig. Jägermeister is committed to crafting some of the best nights in sports and will be working with partners in local USL communities to host special events announced at a later date. 

In addition to the clubs and players being highlighted throughout the tournament, fans will also have their own shot at glory in the “Shot at Glory Bracket Challenge” which will launch ahead of the first matchday. 

More information about the USL Jägermeister Cup will be shared in the coming months leading up to the competition and throughout the tournament on our dedicated social media channels at USL Jägermeister Cup on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

GROUP 1	GROUP 2	GROUP 3	GROUP 4	GROUP 5	GROUP 6
AV Alta FC	Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC	Birmingham Legion FC	Detroit City FC	Charlotte Independence	Charleston Battery
Las Vegas Lights FC	El Paso Locomotive FC	Chattanooga Red Wolves SC	Hartford Athletic	Lexington SC	Greenville Triumph
Monterey Bay F.C.	New Mexico United	Forward Madison FC	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	Loudoun United FC	Miami FC
Oakland Roots SC	Phoenix Rising FC	Indy Eleven	Portland Hearts of Pine	Louisville City FC	FC Naples
Orange County SC	San Antonio FC	One Knoxville SC	Rhode Island FC	North Carolina FC	Tampa Bay Rowdies
Sacramento Republic FC	Texoma FC	FC Tulsa	Westchester SC	Richmond Kickers	Tormenta FC
Spokane Velocity FC	Union Omaha

About United Soccer League

Founded in 1986, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, impacting more than 200 communities nationwide. The USL is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. This structure includes three men’s leagues: the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III), and USL League Two (pre-professional). The women’s pathway includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024, and USL W League, the country’s leading pre-professional women’s league. The USL also oversees USL Academy, a progressive talent development platform, and USL Youth, a premier national youth platform.

With multi-year national and international media rights agreements across various platforms including CBS Sports, ESPN and Peacock, the USL is the most widely accessible soccer league in the country.

About Jägermeister Introduced over 80 years ago by Curt Mast, Jägermeister is one of the world’s most successful liqueurs and available in 150 countries. The iconic taste of Jägermeister is not left to chance but is due to decades of experience, a safely guarded secret recipe consisting of 56 natural herbs, blossoms, roots and fruits including star anise, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger roots, and 383 quality checks. The botanical ingredients are extracted in their raw, unprocessed form through a gentle, weeks-long process of cold maceration to create Jägermeister’s base. The base, housed in more than 400 oak casks, then “breathes” for one full year, which is key to creating the complex and balanced flavor of Jägermeister’s legendary taste profile. Jägermeister is 35% Alc./Vol. and imported exclusively by Mast-Jägermeister US, Inc., White Plains, NY. Visit www.jagermeister.com and follow @JagermeisterUSA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

MADISON, Wis. (November 2, 2024) – The Charlotte Independence season ended on Saturday evening with a 2-0 defeat to Forward Madison in the 2024 USL League One Playoffs presented by Terminix. This was the Jacks’ seventh overall and fifth consecutive playoff appearance. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Both teams started quickly on the attack, forcing each goalkeeper to make a crucial save in the first 10 minutes.

#8 Joel Johnson led the Independence offense in the second minute with a curling ball from the left wing that #1 Bernd Schipmann tipped over the crossbar for an early corner kick. 

Goalkeeper #1 Austin Pack protected his near post with a quick diving save on a close-range shot by the ‘Mingos in the seventh minute.

As the attack was going back and forth down the field, #13 Anthony Sorenson quickly tracked back to dispossess a Madison player about to shoot on goal in the 26th minute. 

Forward Madison took the lead in the 38th minute with a goal by #17 Derek Gebhard. A cross sent in from the right side found its way to Gebhard directly in front of goal, allowing Pack not much time to react. 

Halftime: Forward Madison FC 1, Charlotte Independence 0.

The Jacks had multiple moments of promising pressure in Madison’s half at the beginning of the second half, but none of the chances produced quality shots on goal.

The first dangerous opportunity came in the 54th minute as #21 Dustin Corea dribbled to the endline and centered a cross in the penalty area. After a few deflections, the ball landed near #6 Omar Ciss, but his shot was blocked. 

In the 58th minute, #14 Luis Álvarez curled a free kick to the right post where #4 Nick Spielman challenged the goalkeeper, but he could not get his head to it.

Much of the offensive efforts for Charlotte stemmed from long balls over the top of the defense or crosses looking to sneak through the Madison backline. As Forward Madison tried to double its lead, #17 Clay Dimick made a crucial block on a shot from inside the penalty area in the 80th minute. 

The Jacks earned a free kick in a good position in the 89th minute. Álvarez’s ball was just out of reach for #29 J.C. Obregón Jr.

Just as stoppage time began, the Flamingos were awarded a penalty kick. #8 Devin Boyce scored to solidify Forward Madison’s win.

Fulltime: Forward Madison FC 2, Charlotte Independence 0.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Jeffries

On the match overall
“We came out really well and played a very solid first half. We had some half chances and defended really well. The goal was a simple play that we unfortunately made a mistake on. In the second half, we put a lot of energy into chasing the game and had some decent half chances but didn’t get it done. We didn’t have enough at the end to find a way through. Credit to Madison; they have given us trouble all year, and we haven’t been able to break them down. I did think we had chances on counters that we didn’t pull off as well as we needed to.”

On the season overall
“It’s too early to talk about the season for me. It’s a hard night. Whenever it ends, it’s a big empty feeling. The one thing I will say is that this is a resilient group. We fought through different guys with injuries and everything else. We found ways to keep ourselves winning and in games with all that. I do feel for the guys. We have a lot of experienced guys, and winning a championship is super important for them as it is for the club and for me. I feel for those guys on a night like this.”

Match details will be announced soon

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 27, 2024) – The bracket for the 2024 USL League One Playoffs, presented by Terminix was confirmed today. The Charlotte Independence will face Forward Madison FC on the road in the Quarterfinals. This is the seventh overall and fifth consecutive playoff appearance for the Independence.

No. 6 seeded Charlotte finished 9-6-7 in USL League One play. The all-time series against the Flamingos is tied 3-3-3. This will be the fifth meeting of the sides this season and second in a winner-take-all situation on the heels of the USL Jägermeister Cup semifinal earlier this year. 

The Independence were led by #29 J.C. Obregón Jr. who became just one of three players in USL League One history to score 20 or more goals in a single season across all competitions. The striker finished second in the league Golden Boot race with 15 goals in league play.

ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE:

The Charlotte Independence is a Division III professional men’s soccer team celebrating a decade of competitive soccer in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2024. The club, founded in 2014, currently competes in USL League One and reached its first league final in club history at the end of the 2023 season. The Independence plays all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. As part of the Queen City Soccer Club, our mission is to make Charlotte a better place to live through sports. For information on club news, season tickets and more, visit charlotteindependence.com.

Goal by Obregón Jr. (61’); Levy recorded nine saves

RICHMOND, Va. (October 26, 2024) – The Charlotte Independence earned a 0-1 victory in the regular season finale against Richmond Kickers on Saturday evening at City Stadium. J.C. Obregón Jr. scored his 15th goal of the USL League One season, and goalkeeper Matt Levy made nine saves in his first professional start.

The USL League One playoffs bracket will be released once all matches conclude on Saturday evening. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Both teams had chances on the attack in the opening 20 minutes but none too challenging for the goalkeepers. #28 Matt Levy made a pair of comfortable saves, then #8 Joel Johnson had a shot from distance deflected out of bounds for a corner kick in the 18th minute. 

The Kickers were awarded a free kick inches outside the penalty area in the 24th minute, but the Independence wall blocked the shot and Levy caught the following cross.

#14 Luis Álvarez swung in a dangerous corner kick in the 27th minute that #4 Nick Spielman got a head on, but it was blocked at the goal line. The Jacks had a string of corner kicks just a few minutes later, but did not capitalize on the chances.

Levy made a crucial save in the 35th minute, getting in the way of #27 Chandler O’Dwyer’s shot from close-range.

Kickers’ captain #2 Dakota Barnathan received a red card in the 41st minute for a violent tackle on #6 Omar Ciss. The Jacks looked to take advantage of this situation before half. In first-half stoppage time, #29 J.C. Obregón Jr. unleashed a powerful shot from distance that deflected before reaching the goalkeeper for a diving save.

Halftime: Richmond Kickers 0, Charlotte Independence 0.

The Jacks came out of halftime with heavy pressure on the attack, holding 67.1% possession in the first 15 minutes of the second period. The first chance of the second half belonged to Álvarez with a curling effort over the crossbar in the 50th minute. 

On the other end, Levy made a quick diving save to keep it scoreless in the 52nd minute. 

Charlotte found the breakthrough in the 61st minute with a goal by Obregón Jr. #9 Kharlton Belmar dribbled through the center of the pitch from the Jacks’ half before slotting a pass through the Richmond defense to Obregón Jr. for an easy finish.

Levy continued to put on a goalkeeper clinic between the sticks for the Jacks with a reaction save in the 87th minute, pushing the ball over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner kick, Levy raced to save the ball from going out for another corner kick to keep the possession in Charlotte’s favor.

On Levy’s punt up field, Obregón Jr. was pulled to the ground by #7 Landon Johnson, resulting in another red card for the Kickers. The Independence played with a two-man advantage for the rest of stoppage time.

Fulltime: Richmond Kickers 0, Charlotte Independence 1.

IN THE NUMBERS: 

• Charlotte Independence scored in 18 of 22 games, no team has done so more often in the USL League One this season.
• #28 Matt Levy made his first professional start. He made his professional debut on July 6, 2024.
• Levy’s nine saves were the most in a single game by any Independence goalkeeper this season in all competitions.
• #29 J.C. Obregón Jr. scored his 15th goal of the USL League One season. 
• With his goal, Obregón Jr. became just the third player in USL League One history to score 20 or more goals in a single season across all competitions.
• #17 Clay Dimick played every minute of every match for the Independence across all competitions this season.
• The Jacks are undefeated in the last three road matches in all competitions.
• This win snapped a seven-game winless streak for Charlotte. It was also the first clean sheet for the Independence since August 30, 2024.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Jeffries

On the confidence gained from winning today heading into playoffs
“We started the game well and showed a lot of confidence from the beginning. The team has done a great job; I know it’s been a long and frustrating stretch for us, but the team has retained its confidence and belief that we’re capable of winning games. It’s nice to get some vindication for that confidence and belief, and it’s certainly good for us to head into the playoffs on a winning note.”

On Matt Levy’s performance in goal 
“Matt was fantastic. He’s trained unbelievably well and worked hard all year and been really solid, very patient, and has shown a lot of the capabilities he showed tonight in training. The guys all have a tremendous amount of confidence in him, and tonight he showed why they have confidence in him and showed his qualities. I’m super happy for him. It’s always a long year as a No. 2 goalkeeper, but at least it gives him a big day to come up with a shutout and make some fantastic saves.”

#28 Matt Levy

On the confidence he had in his first professional start
“First and foremost I just need to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the ability and opportunity to play the sport I love. Secondly, I think the hours of work before and during training with Blake, our goalkeeper coach, definitely helped me be prepared for this moment. Finally, the guys played a huge part in helping with my confidence going into the game. I knew they had confidence in me, so their belief in me allowed me to play freely because I knew they trusted me.”

#9 Kharlton Belmar

On his assist for J.C. Obregón Jr.’s goal
“The picture I saw was straight from the training ground. We practice those rotations and runs week in and week out. J.C. made a very good run, so I had to feed our goal scorer!”

On the morale boost this win provides
“I think it is very important getting a win going into playoffs and grinding out a result on the road because that the scenario we’re going into next weekend, so it’s a great warm-up for that.