Backpass: Former Rapids Affiliate Charlotte in Disarray
The Independence went from a solid USL club on-the-rise to a big hot mess. What happened?
During the summer of 2020, as Black Lives Matter protests were swirling and chaos consumed our political system in the midst of the global pandemic, a little-noticed soccer story slipped under the radar for most fans. Which makes sense; it’s hard to pay attention to the inner workings of a USL soccer feud when folks are marching in the streets and a deadly airborne virus is bringing the country to its knees.
Former Rapids affiliate, the Charlotte Independence, were bought by a former steel corporation CEO in 2018. It seemed like the investment might help the club grow and prosper. Instead, things went straight downhill.
Check out part one of my two-part exposé of the Independence, a club who’s owner fell for a pack of lies and conspiracy theories - lies that ultimately alienated nearly the entire fanbase: right here.
And stay tuned for part two of the story, which drops on Monday.