December 12, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – USL League One and the Charlotte Independence announced today the introduction of a new in-season cup competition for the 2024 season. This cup will provide a platform for fun new fan experiences and lay the foundation for potential future competition innovations. The cup is strategically aligned with a new, balanced schedule for the regular season.
“The League Cup will add an exciting additional competition to our season,” Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared. “The additional plus is the extra games against our local rivals to advance, which should foster great fan rivalries.”
The 12 USL League One teams have been divided into three groups. Each group consists of four teams structured to emphasize regional rivalries during the group stage. Charlotte Independence is in the East Group with Greenville Triumph SC, Richmond Kickers, and South Georgia Tormenta FC.
The Jacks will face these three opponents once at home and once on the road during the in-season cup. Charlotte will also face Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC away and Forward Madison FC at home for a total of eight games in the group stage.
At the conclusion of the group stage, the winners of each group will advance to the four-team knockout round. The group winners will be joined by the non-group winning team that scores the most goals, encouraging attacking play.
All matches that finish tied at the end of regulation will feature a penalty shootout. The shootout winners will earn an extra point, with the point system as follows: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw in regulation time, and 1 extra point for winning a penalty shootout.
All cup matches will take place during dedicated match weeks throughout the season, starting in April. League play will not take place during these match windows. The cup final will take place on the weekend of September 28-29, and no other League One matches will take place that weekend.
2024 CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE CUP SCHEDULE:
Saturday, April 27 at South Georgia Tormenta FC
Saturday, May 11 vs. Forward Madison FC
Saturday, May 25 at Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Saturday, June 8 at Richmond Kickers
Saturday, June 29 vs. Richmond Kickers
Saturday, July 20 vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Saturday, August 10 vs. Greenville Triumph SC
Friday, August 30 at Greenville Triumph SC
The winner of the in-season cup competition will take home prize money in addition to a cup trophy….