Lessons Charlotte FC can take from those who’ve come before
[ad_1]
The story of Major League Soccer in recent seasons is one of expansion and growth. Since the beginning of the 2017 campaign, eight teams have been introduced, including a Charlotte FC franchise that kicks off its inaugural campaign against D.C. United on Saturday (6 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+).
Given the whims of ownership and MLS’ raft of roster rules, there’s no “right” way to come into MLS. There are, however, some do’s and don’ts. An expansion club that follows these eight strategies will be hoisting an MLS Cup in no time, we guarantee it.*
* We do not actually guarantee it. But the fans will be happy, and that’s what matters.
Do: Hire the former coach of Barcelona
Atlanta United burst onto the scene in 2017, spending big money for Designated Players like Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron. The club averaged more than 48,000 fans per game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and with that raucous support, as they became only the third expansion franchise to make the playoffs in their inaugural season.
Tying everything together was Gerardo “Tata” Martino, the Argentine manager who previously headed up the Blaugrana as well as his native national team and Paraguay, too. Martino knit together a squad featuring MLS stalwarts including Michael Parkhurst and Jeff Larentowicz, rookies like Julian Gressel, and the South America cohort (Martinez, Almiron, Hector Villalba, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, and more) into a high-flying tapestry. In his last match, Atlanta won the 2018 MLS Cup.
– ESPN+ viewers’ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access
Martino walked away to manage Mexico. The ATL has yet to regain its form.
Vadim Demidov joined from Brann in Norway. Bashkim Kadrii arrived from FC Copenhagen. Finn Rasmus Schuller wandered to the land of 10,000 lakes from BK Hacken in Sweden. Josh Gatt jetted in from Molde. None of them…
[ad_2]
Source : espn
