Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC 

Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC 

Date: February 24, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

Bank of America Stadium
800 South Mint Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Tickets: $15.00 plus

Charlotte FC will kick off the 2024 regular season at home, hosting New York City FC at Bank of America Stadium Saturday night. These two teams faced off twice in 2023, with the most recent match ending in a 1-1 draw (July 5, 2023). 

Charlotte enters the season with a revamped squad, including two new additions from the 2024 MLS SuperDraft (Tyger Smalls, Jahlane Forbes). Charlotte also recently signed forward Irui Tavares, midfielder Nikola Petković, midfielder Djibril Diani, midfielder Junior Urso, and goalkeeper David Bingham to the roster. Dean Smith enters his first season as Charlotte FC’s head coach, hoping to build on the team’s playoff berth last season. 

Saturday’s home opener will feature a giveaway with fans in attendance receiving a limited-edition CLT FC Match Patch, presented by Ally. Charlotte FC will also unveil their new primary kits Saturday night. 

What to watch for: 

New York City FC has yet to beat Charlotte FC in a head-to-head match (1 draw, 3 losses). Although New York City FC failed to earn a playoff berth last season, the team’s outlook is optimistic, after signing Serbian transfer Jovan Mijatović. The 18-year old wonder kid was nicknamed “Beckham,” by his youth coach, but his style is more comparable to another Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney. 

Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith wants to divert from the standard methodical build-up play that fans are used to. Instead, Smith prefers a more direct approach that allows Charlotte to advance downfield quickly. Charlotte’s outside defenders will have an increased offensive role in this system. The fullbacks will start attacks early, catching the opposition’s late-arriving midfielders and defenders off-guard with crosses and through balls. Although Smith has implemented a more goal-oriented philosophy, Charlotte wants to be “hard to beat” at all times, focusing on creating a defensive identity. Charlotte FC has not conceded a goal in 360 straight preseason minutes coming into the season opener. 

Inside the Numbers: 

• Charlotte FC’s leading goal scorer in 2023 (Karol Swiderski, 12) has joined Hellas Veronas on loan until June 30, 2024 
• Iuri Tavares recorded 12 goals and four assists in 26 appearances for the MLS NEXT Pro Club.
• Nikola Petković made 10 starts in 12 appearances for Crown Legacy FC, notching three goals and four assists in those matches.

How to Watch: 

You can watch live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. You can also listen on WFNZ 92.7 FM. Check out the 2024 Charlotte FC Bar Network in North and South Carolina. 

Jeremy Grandison is a Charlotte native and contributing sports writer for CLTure. He also hosts his own podcast, Lock It or Leave It.

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