Charlotte FC Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Anna Witte is the Charlotte FC Match Analyst for the English Radio broadcast. She joins Will Palaszczuk in the booth to begin the 2025 season. The Cary, NC native is also host of the SiriusXM show, USL Super League Game week where she hosts along side Marion Crowder and is a sideline reporter for Carolina Ascent FC. Anna brings almost 10 years of broadcasting history in soccer, working as a play-by-play announcer for the NWSL KC Current, as well as various duties from analyst, sideline reporter, studio host, camera/editing for Goal USA, CBS Golazo, Big Ten Network, NBC Washington. She is also a former college player at Penn State University and loves fashion, pop culture, and finding cool spots to eat food.

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IG: annawitte

On this episode I talk with Alex Burakoff, Director of Partnership Marketing for Major League Soccer.

Alex was an attorney before his current role. We talk about how that has helped him in his role at MLS as well as his management of the relationships with partners such as RBC Wealth Management for example, and overseeing and executing hundreds of initiatives. Alex and I discuss contract management, the appeal of Major League Soccer to corporate partners, the culture at MLS, and his background transition to sports and the work he continues to do to improve and himself and those around him as a leader.

On this episode I talk with Steven Marques, the cog in the relationship between Ally and Charlotte FC. Steven has been a part of the Ally team working with Charlotte FC since they first were secured the kit rights with the club. Learn more about what Steven does day to day and about his journey to get to be a part of this relationship and his role with Ally. Steven's family immigrated from Portugal and he moved to North Carolina when he was 6. His passion for soccer been with him to this day and has found a good fit at Ally.

This week's crowning moment was that Charlotte FC earned their first point away from home during this past weekend’s a scoreless draw (0-0) against the Colorado Rapids. There is general sense of confidence that has shifted expectations for Charlotte FC recently on these road matches. You could just feel it when watching them play in Colorado.

Charlotte FC moves on to Orlando for a Saturday, April 30 match at 7:30. Orlando City SC recently lost at home to the NY Red Bulls 3-0; being outshot 17-3 despite possessing it 64% of the time. Orlando still sits with 14 points overall in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. 

Peter Fink is the Director of Programs at Street Soccer 658, a non-profit in Charlotte that provides soccer programming and more for immigrant, refugee, and housing insecurity populations in Charlotte. Charlotte FC approached Street Soccer 658 about providing their integrative life-skills based soccer training for the communities and populations where the mini-pitches would be constructed.

Twitter: @streetsoccer658  | Instagram: @streetsoccer658

Website: http://www.streetsoccer658.org/

Get Involved - http://www.streetsoccer658.org/get-involved.html

Charlotte FC began a stretch of 4 matches on the road that will cover almost 6000 miles of travel. This past weekend in Massachusetts, they took on a sliding New England Revolution, a club The Crown had beaten at home 3-1 just a few weeks ago. We recap the match, finding some crowning moments (The Crown's patient play and attack in the first half after being down early + Ortiz's first goal) for Charlotte FC as the fall to the Revs 2-1. Charlotte FC also has 2 matches this week, with a special midweek US Open Cup event in Greenville, SC followed by an MLS road match at Colorado on Saturday at 9pm ET.

Hector Cortes, also known as Sombrero Man, has been dancing, cheering, and attending Charlotte sporting events for almost a decade. We talk with him about  how it all started, the rise of Charlotte FC, his Mexican roots, and more.

Follow Hector on Twitter @FKNTORO and also on Instagram @fkntoro

Besides winning the rematch with Atlanta United, Charlotte FC showed they can play a beautiful game (one of their best first halves this campaign), make adjustments, and have a home advantage that truly helps the squad on the pitch. Jordi Alcivar scores an "Olimpico" to put the Crowns on top 1-0 for good in the 11th minute. MAR talks about his squad efforts and the special players he has.

On this episode we talk with Atlanta United radio play-by-play announcer Mike Conti to catch up what has been going on since Charlotte FC last met Atlanta United as well as learn a little more about Mike and his work. 

Follow Mike at @MikeConti929

April 5 2022 Charlotte FC falls to Philadelphia Union 2-0 on two early goals in each half. The Crowning Moment this week goes to team's improved passing and spacing despite the early goals and changing the way Charlotte FC needed to play. Charlotte FC takes on Atlanta United on Sunday, April 10 at 1:30pm. This is the second and last regular season meeting with the Five Stripes.