Director of Comms at
@LVLightsFC
(Formerly:
@CharlotteFC
) | bonus content: amateur runner trying to get faster & avid reader of any book with a map at the front
Some personal news 🚨
It’s been a wonderful three years with
@CharlotteFC
, but this chapter of my life came to an end on Saturday night.
Building a pro club for your hometown? 10-year-old Will would have lost his mind. I’m so thankful I got to be a part of this journey. (1/4)
Sure doesn’t feel like it, but just hit one year at
@CharlotteFC
today!
Thankful that our leadership here took a chance on me last summer & helped me grow into the job. Lots of great people in this club - I’m excited to push this forward into year 2 🤘🏽👑
Per
@fbref
, Kristijan Kahlina is 5th in the league in the Goals Added metric at +4.5
Based on the quality of shots he faced this year (xG) minus the goals he conceded, the Croatian saved 4.5 more goals than average.
Essentially, it’s like he’s scored almost 5 times for CLTFC 🥶
Charlotte FC spent most of the night trailing Houston… then Patrick Agyemang happened.
The SuperDraft pick delivered a clutch equalizer, flipping the match on its head in mere seconds.
Now, the Crown dances on to the quarterfinals against Inter Miami 👑
Who’s staying up late to watch
@CharlotteFC
take on
@LAFC
tonight?
@itscalebadams
is out of office over in Brazil, so it’s me behind the keyboard this week and I’ve got you covered for all your pre-match reading 👇🏽👑
A thread 🧵
I’m very excited to be joining
@CharlotteFC
as the Communications Coordinator! As a Fort Mill & Charlotte local and
@QueensUniv
graduate, the opportunity to help build a team in my hometown is an incredible opportunity. Looking forward to 2022.
#ForTheCrown
👑
Charlotte FC entered the weekend needing a win to kickstart a run to the playoff places over the final third of the season.
They hosted the defending MLS champs and put together arguably the best 90 minute performance of the season to take all 3 points 👑
Heartbroken today. Anton was always gracious with his time & his smile, whether you were his teammate or a fan or just the PR guy.
Comforting to see that he touched so many people in a similar way. Rest easy bro ❤️
Charlotte FC rallied from behind twice in the 2nd half in the Club’s inaugural Leagues Cup match, eventually triumphing in a penalty shootout to gain an extra point.
The squad returns home next Saturday against Necaxa looking to advance to the knockouts.
A hot, tense affair against Cruz Azul ended in yet another Texas shootout.
@CharlotteFC
’s Croatian Wall, Kristijan Kahlina, stepped up big again to deliver another penalty kick shootout win & a spot in the Round of 16.
Catch up on all the action here!
.
@CharlotteFC
finishes the season with 2 matches against Miami. A first-ever playoff berth is on the line
The math is simple: two wins from two and we clinch the
#8
seed to host the Wild Card match 🏟️
Anything less, & the scenarios are more complex ⬇️
Miss the big away win because of that late start? I've got your quick Sunday morning summary here to catch you up on the major events! Final byline for me before the return of the newly married
@itscalebadams
😁
The microphone went out for the National Anthem ahead of Charlotte FC’s home opener & this happened. Wow. Chills. This crowd is amazing.
@wcnc
|
#ForTheCrown
Alright folks. The MLS Cup Playoffs have arrived. Tomorrow night, we start what could be a wild & chaotic ride 👀
Let’s break down how
@CharlotteFC
can get there…
Wild Card ➡️
Round One Best-of-3 ➡️
Conference Semi ➡️
Conference Final ➡️
MLS Cup 🏆
Not far off from admin! Here’s Pat Agyemang postmatch:
“That’s my boy, man (Kerwin Vargas). We want to light the league up… the wingers and myself, we want to build that relationship going forward so we can be a threat to the whole league.” 1/2
In the office just wrapping a few things up ahead of tomorrow, and the countdown clock is showing “0 Days” for the first time.
It’s really, actually, seriously happening everyone!! Can’t wait to see BoA rocking tomorrow night 🤘🏽
#ForTheCrown
“Playoffs. That’s it, that’s all I think about every day. Getting 3 points and making playoffs.”
Brandt Bronico echoing the belief inside the
@CharlotteFC
locker room after tonight’s important win at NYCFC (+ his first goal for the Club)
8 games to go ⚔️
Swiderski brace ✌️
Dejaegere scorpion 🦂
Points for The Crown 3️⃣
Missed the action? Here’s how Charlotte FC’s 3-0 home win over Toronto went down, play by play ⬇️
Nikola Petkovic scored his 1st career MLS goal &
@CharlotteFC
’s 100th MLS goal tonight.
“We have 3 more games at home (this month). This is our home. Here, we need to smash everyone like tonight”
“I think we did everything good. Defending, attacking, with and without the ball.”
Love seeing
@CharlotteFC
all over the timeline this morning. MLS for the Carolinas has been a long time coming, and there were times in my life when I thought it would never come, but tonight it’s here!
#ForTheCrown
Also… that hotel room view 👇🏽👀
@MLSGabor
would be proud!
Next up, I’ll be joining Las Vegas Lights FC (
@lvlightsfc
) as Director of Communications.
After three years with CLTFC, and four years at Queens before that, and my whole life in CLT before that, it’s time for a new challenge… both professionally and personally 😁 (3/4)
Kristijan Kahlina's 2023 started with pain & surgery in preseason, but ended with joy & triumph on Decision Day.
From the man himself on his injury journey and notable performances, as well as a deep dive into his elite advanced analytics📊👇
The Crown cruised past Necaxa and into the Leagues Cup Round of 32 last night behind four different goalscorers.
Miss the action? Catch up on everything from Bronico’s early opener to a second half Necaxa red card here!
We’re back! Your match preview for
@CharlotteFC
vs NYCFC in the home opener.
Head Coach Dean Smith has led an undefeated preseason in his first year. Tonight, the team will look to continue that momentum at a rocking Bank of America Stadium 🏟️
And to everyone in Charlotte who made my time here so wonderful…
From journalists to fans to co-workers to players to coaches, it’s been a pleasure. This job is relationship-driven, and you all have made it so that I was so excited to go to work every day.
Thank you 🫶🏽 (4/4)
For the second week in a row,
@CharlotteFC
is headed north of the border to Canada, this time for a matchup with Toronto FC.
Head Coach Dean Smith’s squad will be aiming to extend an undefeated start to the season. Read on for everything you need to know!
.
@CharlotteFC
vs Inter Miami is the only MLS game of the midweek.
It's the long-awaited game in hand. With a win, we vault all the way to 8th place & remain in the driver's seat of the playoff race.
Needless to say, it's a big one. Match Preview here! 👇
Tonight’s the night. The MLS Cup Playoffs kick off with
@CharlotteFC
vs the New York Red Bulls 🔜
The winner advances to play Cincinnati, guaranteeing a home match in the Best-of-3
No overtime tonight❗️Straight to a penalty kick shootout if tied after 90
A draw with Miami is in the rearview mirror and a Decision Day clash at Bank of America Stadium is on the horizon.
Now,
@CharlotteFC
need a win on Saturday to keep playoff hopes alive, along with a few other results falling our way.
Deep dive here ⬇️
Meet Dean Smith,
@CharlotteFC
’s new head coach 🤝
His coaching journey has taken him from League One with Walsall, to the Championship with Brentford, and ultimately to the Premier League with Aston Villa & more 🏆
Now, the Queen City & MLS are next 👑
Back to MLS action after the Leagues Cup break!
@CharlotteFC
return to BoA tomorrow to take on defending MLS Cup Champions LAFC.
With just under a third of the season to go, the run-in to playoffs begins now. Everything you need to know, right here ⬇️
Charlotte FC matches up with Orlando at the Bank tonight, looking to make it a perfect 3 for 3 season series against the Lions
After a big home win over LAFC on Saturday, HC Christian Lattanzio’s side need to keep the momentum going in the playoff push ⬆️
I specifically want to thank
@Woody_Wilder
.
He not only took a chance on a kid straight out of college in 2021, but he pushed me to grow with more & more responsibility every year (while still protecting my life-balance).
Simply couldn’t ask for a better boss or mentor. (2/4)
Morning, Portland. Blue skies opened up for me on the run this morning - I’m taking it as a good omen for a great
@MLS
Cup!
Looking forward to seeing 2 great teams match up & take some key learnings back home. Excited for the day I’m working this final with
@CharlotteFC
🤙🏽
The games are coming thick & fast in Leagues Cup for
@CharlotteFC
. Next up...
🔜 Round of 16 at Houston Dynamo FC
A spot in the Quarterfinals against Inter Miami CF is on the line. Tune in or head to Big Ben Pub for the Official Watch Party❗️
Rainy Wednesday morning ahead of an away match for
@CharlotteFC
, and we still have a great contingent of media speaking with players ahead of open training!
Charlotte is a soccer city - local media are bought in 🤝
Great long run this morning to take a little tour of DC! I’m excited to keep touring the cities we visit during
@CharlotteFC
’s debut season through morning runs🤘🏽
Last night was also completely surreal. Unlucky result, but positive signs & unreal support from the fans ⬆️👑
Enzo Copetti made his long-awaited return from injury last night, immediately making his presence felt by earning & dispatching a penalty
A wrap-up on a rain-soaked night at the Bank and an important point in the playoff race ⬇️
Westy with a banger to open up the match, Swider with a penalty to seal it.
Relive the play-by-play of Charlotte FC’s massive 3 points away at Chicago! The victory puts CLTFC in the driver’s seat for the
#8
seed & a playoff spot.
1 down, 3 to go
Charlotte FC got a crucial win over Toronto on Wednesday. 3 more wins would guarantee 8th place and hosting privileges for the first round playoff game 👀
Next up: Chicago Fire FC. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of tonight ⬇️
Tonight,
@CharlotteFC
kicks off a three-game road stretch after the Club’s home opener win last Saturday.
The team takes on the Vancouver Whitecaps looking to stay undefeated under Head Coach Dean Smith. Here’s everything you need to know 👇🏽
Worth your time! Kara and Bridget are doing wonderful work that goes against the grain of usual coverage by bringing a unique perspective to their conversations with players.
A great example of why independent creators are an important part of our media landscape in CLT 🤝
Baking, fishing, and goal scoring! It’s the Queens’ Tea with Ben Bender! Grab your tea or coffee and listen as BB15 talks about his injury, his off-season, his comeback, and what brings him the most joy! 💙👑
📸 provided by
@CharlotteFC
&
@taybbanner
Pep Biel is
#ForTheCrown
. As the window came to a close,
@CharlotteFC
got their man to take the reins in attacking midfield.
I sat down with the Club's Director of Scouting,
@ThomasSchaling
, for an analysis of the Spaniard's "box-crashing" strengths 💪
We go again 💪🏽 Charlotte FC can still control their own destiny in the playoff race with the team’s games in hand.
That run starts tonight versus Toronto FC. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match ⬇️
Midweek match day!
@CharlotteFC
travels to take on the New York Red Bulls tonight.
With three wins & two draws so far in May, another shutout and Liel Abada’s return will be pivotal to finishing the month unbeaten. Here’s everything you need to know ⤵️
Hey
@CharlotteFC
#ForTheCrown
fans! Looking to fill the gap between the Premier League matches this morning?
Go over to Outside the Lines (ESPN) at 9:30am to see their extended feature on Chris Hegardt’s exceptional story 👇🏽
Saturday AM on
@OTLonESPN
see our story on Chris Hegardt. We featured him on ESPN in 2010, an 8-year old cancer survivor who'd had his life saved by a freak youth soccer injury. Now he's in MLS, exchanging jerseys with the pro who visited him in the cancer ward so many years ago.
Tonight marks a return to Texas for
@CharlotteFC
. This time around, it’s a first-ever away trip to Austin FC.
On the heels of the two biggest results of the season, CLTFC will be looking to swing their road momentum into another three point night.
Offseason has been nice and relaxing with some needed time off... now it's time to hit go once again.
Excited for preseason and year 3 under Dean's leadership. Let's get rolling! 👑🔜
It’s match day in the Music City!
@CharlotteFC
takes on Nashville SC tonight to wrap up a series of three consecutive away games.
Here’s your match day primer on what to expect from the tactical matchup, Dean Smith’s philosophy, and more.
It’s another home match day in the Queen City! This time around,
@CharlotteFC
faces a familiar Canadian opponent, but both sides will have to adapt their lineup due to injuries.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match ⬇️
It’s a six-pointer tonight between Charlotte FC and D.C. United in front of an open upper bowl 🏟️ With a win, The Crown can pull even on points with D.C. in the final playoff spot.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the matchup!
The first midweek match of the year is upon us! Tonight,
@CharlotteFC
matches up with Chicago Fire FC.
CLTFC has past success at Soldier Field, notching away wins in 2022 and 2023. Head Coach Dean Smith's men will look to make that 3-for-3 with a victory.
It's match day déjà vu as
@CharlotteFC
return to Ohio for another away matchup with a defending champion.
After CLTFC downed league-leading FC Cincinnati just four days ago, they now face a trip to the in-form Columbus Crew.
Everything you need to know⬇️
Another awesome event working Media Ops w/
@MLSGabor
! 30 games in 14 days for the
#MLSisBack
Tournament in Orlando. It was a privilege to see so many games live & pitch-side, as well as a great PR/Comm learning experience. Big thanks to all the staff that made this possible 🙌🏽
On the other side of an Axios story, for once 🤷🏽♂️ thanks to
@m_a_h_o_n_e_y
for coming out to Triple C and showcasing the strong CLT running community!
It's another match day, another opportunity for
@CharlotteFC
to spark some road momentum.
After showcasing their red-hot home form, the squad will look for their first away win in 2024 versus the New England Revolution. Here's everything you need to know!
Not only does Charlotte FC control its own destiny for playoffs... the team now controls its own destiny to *host* the first round playoff game between the
#8
and
#9
seed.
1 win down, 3 to go
About last night:
@CharlotteFC
completes the 1st round of its mini playoff. CF Montreal’s draw with Houston means not only does CLTFC get into the play-in with 3 straight wins, they would jump to 8th & host the play-in game.
Next: @ Chicago for a big one Saturday.
#ForTheCrown
A Queen City rematch is on the cards tonight as Charlotte FC travel to FC Cincinnati 👑
CLTFC has kept pace in the standings, but could use a big away result to vault themselves up. Here’s your preview ahead of another pivotal match in the playoff race ⬇️
This gem from today: “Bad players miss chances, good players get in there and get chances, top players score them”
Not sure what that made me in my college career, then. I didn’t miss chances, but that’s because I didn’t get them, and so I certainly didn’t score them either 🤣
@CharlotteFC
meet Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 to battle it out for a place in the next round.
Here’s your Match Preview for everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s knockout match 👑
It's a rivalry match day between
@CharlotteFC
and Atlanta United FC.
As the playoffs loom, CLTFC will be looking for the season sweep after taking down Atlanta on the road earlier in the summer.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the match!
Queen City match day! For the first time ever,
@CharlotteFC
will face the Portland Timbers.
Tonight is the start of a critical month for CLTFC, with four out of six matches at home during a packed May schedule. Here's everything you need to know 🔽
After a loss in Nashville from two poorly defended crosses, Andrew Privett came to deliver today. Some post-match sound:
“That was a bit of our motivation. They are one of our rivals and you know they got us at their place, so we wanted to bring them here and return the favor.”
It’s an away
@CharlotteFC
match day at the Philadelphia Union again! This time, it’s to kick off Leagues Cup.
A top two finish in the group will send CLTFC through to the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Here’s everything to know ahead of the match ⬇️
It’s match day in Houston at Shell Energy Stadium, where
@CharlotteFC
has two wins out of two after the Club’s first-ever away win in 2022 and a Leagues Cup Round of 16 victory in 2023.
Tonight, CLTFC will look to extend that winning streak to three ⤵️
The one-stop shop for everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s Leagues Cup match vs Club Necaxa.
Group standings, results, scenarios to advance, Necaxa history, and more 👇🏽
It’s match day in the Queen City!
@CharlotteFC
is set to take on the defending MLS Cup Champions.
CLTFC has a perfect record over defending champions with victories over NYCFC (twice in 2022) and LAFC (2023) and will look to extend that record tonight.
It’s match day at Yankee Stadium!
@CharlotteFC
takes on NYCFC tonight.
After a tough loss, Dean Smith’s team is looking to bounce back: “My sense from the players is that they're hurting from last week… first and foremost, we want to put that right.”
Excited to hop on for some color commentary tonight at my alma mater and experience a couple firsts for
@QueensAthletics
🦁
1️⃣st Home Men’s Soccer D1 Game
1️⃣st Broadcast on ESPN+
See below for link or just head over to the ESPN app 👇🏽
96th min. down 1-0. YOU CAN’T COUNT US OUT. 2-1 Win with 96’ and 99’ goals. Resilient 3 points. On the doorstep of clinching playoffs and making
@lvlightsfc
history ¡VIVA LIGHTS!
Quick turnaround to a midweek match against Philadelphia 🔜
The race for the last playoff spots is at a stalemate, and the first team to start a win streak could make huge strides
Here’s everything you need to know as CLTFC go for all 3 points tonight❗️
Check out
@JaylinLindsey
wrapping up the season with
@MikeSolarte
on
@SpecNews1CLT
tonight! Great conversation & perspective coming at you at 10:40pm. Studio looking good in that CLTFC blue 🔵
Had fun contributing to this! Ben and I had to pull ourselves away from the Q&A session I did with him, otherwise we would’ve talked for hours 🤣
Take a read, linked in the second tweet, for the full story 📸
Gaining some momentum, building some excitement, getting there one brick at a time 🧱
@shawn_mcintosh
is leading the charge on building this club up to where it belongs. Hit him up on socials if you have feedback or ideas for this season & beyond!
🗣️ "We're going to be building this thing together with our fans and I think that's really important."
Get to know Las Vegas Lights FC CEO
@shawn_mcintosh
🤝
Let's put this into context...
0⃣8⃣ - Only player from his birth year on the roster. 17 are 06s and 4 are 07s.
🔁 - Eligible for the next U-17 World Cup, too. They happen every 2 years.
2⃣+ - 4th player with multi-goal game for
@USYNT
at U-17 World Cup (Adu, Twellman, Weah).
15-year-old Nimfash Berchimas is the youngest player to represent and score for the USA at the U17 Men's World Cup since a 14-year-old Freddy Adu in 2003:
𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟑: Adu scored four goals in his first two games at the U17 World Cup
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑: Berchimas scores three goals in his
Shouting it from the rooftops…
🗣️ this is worth your time 🗣️
Amazing peek behind the curtain from
@ThomasSchaling
. We’re very lucky to have a Director of Scouting - and sporting department in general - that are aligned with doing transparent ideas like this.
A special treat for Charlotte FC fans for the holiday weekend — an exclusive Q&A with Director of Scouting Thomas Schaling.
A fascinating peek behind the curtain, with inside looks at specific players, the scouting process, and Club's next steps for 2024.
For the fourth time in May, it's match day in the Queen City! 👑
After securing 10 out of a possible 12 points in a busy May schedule,
@CharlotteFC
takes on the Philadelphia Union tonight looking to extend a Club-record four-match shutout streak.
Some reflecting this morning…
May 7, 2017 was my
@NAFO_BoysSoccer
Senior Night. Fast forward 7 years (to the day) and I’m catching up with my coach & now friend
@jonpurdue
at our last match.
Thankful to be where I am today, but it’s very much due to my mentors along the way 🙌🏽
Humble guy. Here’s Kahlina post-match:
“For me, the most difficult ball was the one I cleared with my head (earlier).
“Then it came to the free kick which was ok. The second one was a nice save that gave us the game…
“I think my defense played very very well, high-level.”
& some bonus Agy trash talk, according to the man himself:
“I like to laugh a lot, I laugh at them. I want them to know I’m not phased. I’ll tell them don’t leave me 1 v 1 with them. Whoever it is, I’ll tell them straight up, because if I’m happy I think things will happen.” 2/2
My guy. Really well-written, so I guess we should get
@Bronibro13
doing a weekly guest column on the website. We're lucky to have a thru & thru Charlotte guy giving back to our community here!
.
@bronibro13
has always been tied to the city of Charlotte. ⚽💙
In the first edition of this year’s Celebrating Impact series with Audi and
@PlayersTribune
, check out the
@charlotteFC
midfielder’s story on giving back through
@bedsforkids
: