Charlotte (NC) — On Tuesday, the Charlotte Independence professional soccer team and Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer (MLS) announced the conclusion of their affiliation agreement. Since the Independence’s inaugural season in 2015, the affiliation has raised the profile of the club by receiving multiple first-team Rapids player loans each season, co-hosting three MLS-scouted pre-season player combines and Independence players receiving pre-season and post-season training invites with the Rapid’s first-team.

The Charlotte Independence professional soccer team thanks the Colorado Rapids for a valuable partnership from soccer and business levels, which has lead to the growth of the game in Charlotte. In the four seasons, 15 different Rapids players were loaned to the Independence earning a total of 286 appearances and nearly 18,000 minutes.

“We would like to thank the Colorado Rapids for four excellent years,” said Independence General Manager, Tom Engstrom. “We certainly benefited from the affiliation through the use of Rapids players on our roster, their scouting network and sharing of knowledge. Our organization considers Independence players such as Enzo Martinez, Ben Newnam and Cody Mizell representing the Rapids a success of the relationship.”

“Special thanks goes to Brian Crookham, Senior Director Soccer Development for the Rapids, who was our liaison from Day 1,” said Engstrom. “Brian was extremely diligent and professional and always working hard to ensure that both the Independence and Rapids received the maximum benefit from the affiliation.”

The Independence will return to USL action next spring at the Sportsplex at Matthews. For more information on 2019 Season Memberships, please visit charlotteindependence.com or call the Independence front office at 704-206-1515.