MLS clubs’ U17 and U15 academy teams face off Saturday, Oct. 31; Limited free tickets available
CHARLOTTE (Oct. 20, 2020) — The I-85 rivalry between Charlotte FC and Atlanta United FC is underway as the Major League Soccer clubs’ U17 and U15 academy teams will face off in games presented by Ally at Bank of America Stadium Saturday, Oct. 31. A limited number of free tickets are available and all stadium health and safety guidelines will apply.
“This is going to be an amazing experience for our players to be able to play on Charlotte FC’s home pitch and is indicative of the type of opportunities we strive to provide through our academy,” Charlotte FC Technical Director Marc Nicholls said. “We know that the rivalry with Atlanta United will be important to our fans and I’m excited that our academy players get the first chance to get the rivalry started.”
The U17 match kicks off at noon followed by the U15 match at 2:30 p.m. Stadium gates open at 11 a.m. Lower level tickets can be reserved through Ticketmaster by Academy families, Charlotte FC deposit holders and supporter groups beginning Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. using the promo codes provided via email. Limited ticket reservations are available to the general public beginning Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. Ticket reservations can be madehere at the designated times.
“What an unbelievable opportunity for our players,” Charlotte FC Academy Manager Dan Lock said. “We are committed to developing top-quality players and giving them the resources they need to be successful on and off the pitch. Hosting games at the stadium is something only our academy can provide to these young men. It’s going to be an amazing feeling for them as they get to run out of the tunnel on to the pitch.”
The Charlotte FC Academy competes in MLS NEXT, the new elite youth development platform created by Major League Soccer in collaboration with the top elite youth academies around the country, ushering in the future of soccer in North America. The 2020 competition structure for MLS NEXT prioritizes athlete, staff and community health and safety through regional play and minimized travel. MLS NEXT seasons beyond the fall of 2020 will also feature regional and national competitions that engage the global soccer community to accelerate the growth of each MLS NEXT player. In support of the MLS NEXT platform, the academy games between Charlotte FC and Atlanta United will be live streamed on Charlotte FC social channels and at CharlotteFootballClub.com.
“I’m thrilled our academy players have this special opportunity to play at our stadium in front of their family, friends, fans and supporters,” Tepper Sports & Entertainment President Tom Glick said. “This region has a strong soccer history, and over the last couple months our academy has started developing some of the best young talent in the Carolinas. These games will give us the first taste of MLS matches on our home pitch, and by 2022, you may see some of these Academy players suit up with our first team.”
The Charlotte FC Academy’s mission is to develop Homegrown Players comparable to the world’s best. The Academy emphasizes the holistic development of each player, producing well-rounded individuals who are also valuable members in the community. The academy operates two full-time teams – U15 and U17 – as well as a Charlotte Discovery Program for U12 and U13 age groups.
“Our support for the Charlotte FC Academy is essential to our role as an Ally for growing the sport in Charlotte,” Ally Executive Director of Brand and Sponsorship Marketing Bridget Sponsky said. “We are as excited as the players are to see them take the pitch in the same place Charlotte FC will debut in 2022.”
Charlotte FC is the 30th Major League Soccer franchise and begins play in 2022 at Bank of America Stadium. To place a season ticket membership deposit and secure seats for the team’s inaugural season, please visit www.CharlotteFootballClub.com. Deposits are available in three seating categories starting at $50 per account.
MEDIA NOTE: Media who are interested in covering the Academy games at the stadium on Oct. 31 should contact Ryan Anderson (Ryan.Anderson@Panthers.NFL.com) or Preston Edwards (Preston.Edwards@Panthers.NFL.com). There are accommodations available for a limited number of writers, photographers and videographers at the games.
About Ally Financial Inc.
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a leading digital financial-services company with $185.3 billion in assets as of September 30, 2020. As a customer centric company with passionate customer service and innovative financial solutions, we are relentlessly focused on “Doing it Right” and being a trusted financial-services provider to our consumer, commercial, and corporate customers. We are one of the largest full-service automotive finance operations in the country and offer a wide range of financial services and insurance products to automotive dealerships and consumers. Our award-winning online bank (Ally Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender) offers mortgage lending, personal lending, and a variety of deposit and other banking products, including savings, money-market, and checking accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Additionally, we offer securities-brokerage and investment-advisory services through Ally Invest. Our robust corporate finance business offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies.
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