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Independence Make Move to Matthews

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 02/01/17, 2:09PM EST

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New Sportsplex facility will host club’s final 12 games of regular season


Photo courtesy William Brown / Charlotte Independence

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence announced on Wednesday that the club will play its final 12 games of the 2017 USL regular season at the Sportsplex at Matthews beginning June 17th. The move progresses the team toward Division II compliance in cooperation with the USL, which was granted provisional Division II status on January 6th.

The brand new Mecklenburg County facility is constructed with attention to detail and excellence in fan experience in mind. Features include more than 800 paved parking spots, a High-Definition video board, three restroom facilities, a pair of roofed picnic pavilions, a fully concreted concourse, VIP event rooms, and two entries/exits for traffic. Conveniently located near Independence Blvd. and I-485, the stadium is only a few minutes from downtown Matthews, local bars and restaurants, and shopping centers.

"With the Sportsplex at Matthews, Mecklenburg County has created a first class facility that is reminiscent of the beautiful Disney Sports fields I used to market in Orlando,” said Michael Behrman, Chief Operating Officer of the Charlotte Independence. “We are excited to make the Sportsplex at Matthews our home pitch and embrace the Town of Matthews as we become that community’s hometown, professional sports team."

"We welcome the Independence to Matthews with open arms," said Mayor Jim Taylor for the Town of Matthews. "The addition of the Independence will be another asset to our community as well as another reason Matthews is so great."

Returning fans and season ticket holders will note that ticket and parking pricing corresponds to plans at Ramblewood Soccer Complex. Individual game tickets are not on sale yet, but season ticket packages still start at $144.

“Season ticket holders will be unaffected by the switch to the Sportsplex at Matthews”, said Patrick O’Leary, Independence Senior Account Manager. “Everyone will be placed in comparable seats. I’m excited about the improved access and sightlines to bolster fan experience.”   

The team will open the 2017 home season away from the Sportsplex at Matthews, but Head Coach Mike Jeffries thinks the new facility is an asset to the Independence.

“I love it,” said Jeffries. “Because of the way the stadium is set up, I think there is so much potential to make it a great venue and a place we can call home for a while, in addition to having some success there.”

The Independence have set up an information page to help Charlotte fans explore more details about the facility. Check in periodically for updates as we move toward the first game day, when the Harrisburg City Islanders will visit the Independence. Fans are also encouraged to use #MovingtoMatthews on social media platforms to express interest and inquire about the relocation.

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