We're back for the final episode of 2024 and we have some feelings about the front office moves we've seen from Tepper Sports & Entertainment the past few weeks. Specifically, how these changes affect Charlotte FC and what they may say about the focus of the organization.

Agree? Disagree? We want to hear from you. Hit us up in the comments or on social!

And we hope everyone has a Happy New Year! We'll see you in 2025.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Manscaped! Get 20% OFF + Free Shipping with promo code corndog at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MANSCAPED.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

The 2025 Charlotte FC and MLS schedule came out this week, so Matt and Corey took a look at the road ahead for the Crown. We break down some of the bigger matches, interesting away days and an especially difficult stretch of road games in the middle of the season.

And we answer a listener question about egg nog.

You can see the full Charlotte FC schedule here.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Manscaped! Get 20% OFF + Free Shipping with promo code corndog at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MANSCAPED.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Charlotte FC finally made it official with U.S. Men's National Team and Fulham CB Tim Ream, and some of us are more excited than others!

Our British-American Correspondent, Matt Chantry, joined Matt Swift and David Gusler to discuss the news, what to expect from Ream as a player and how he fits in with the current roster.

It's a short turnaround for Charlotte FC and our intrepid podcast hosts as the Crown try to bounce back from Thursday's 1-0 loss to Austin and prepare to play Houston Sunday night. David and Matt discuss the home loss – and the lack of finishing – while also answering a whole bunch of listener questions.

What happened to Charlotte FC in the 2-1 away defeat to Montreal? Why was this game even played with Charlotte missing 10 players? How did that second Montreal goal count? How did Swiderski not score the equalizer? 

So many questions and Matt and David regroup this week to try to answer them the best they can.

The guys did something a little different this weekend while gathering at Matt Swift's house to drink bourbon and watch Charlotte FC draw Columbus Crew on the road. They recorded the first half of the episode pregame – how hopeful they were for that first away win – before finishing the episode with an in-depth analysis of the second match in the Lattanzio era.

Matt and David go live on Twitter to discuss: 

- Charlotte FC's 2-0 win over the Red Bulls
- What was different about this game
- Our thoughts on the lineup
- Man of the match
- Answering fan questions

Matt and David jumped on Twitter live to discuss Christian Fuchs' press conference this week and his comments on MAR and preview Saturday's home match against New York Red Bulls. Is this a must-win? And how will Charlotte FC look in its first match under Christian Lattanzio.

Charlotte FC made the surprising move Tuesday to part ways with the club’s first and only head coach, Miguel Angel Ramirez. Why did this happen? And why now? What does it mean for the club? For the players? How will the fanbase react? Can Matt beat Titi Ortiz in a race?

Matt, David and Corey break it all down and answer listener questions during this Twitter Spaces livestream.

Matt and Vaughn jump in for a special episode all about money. Specifically, they go over GAM, TAM and where all of Charlotte FC's money has gone, and explain how being towards the bottom in spending is perhaps not as bad as people think.

"Vault Vaughn" Pollman in the house! He joins Matt and David as they share their surprisingly reasonable and level-headed reactions to Charlotte FC's 2-0 loss to CF Montreal Saturday – the first home loss since the opener to LA Galaxy. They talk formations, lineup changes and more to try to get to the bottom of what went wrong for the Crown Saturday night.

Matt and David get to celebrate a 1-0 home win over Inter Miami, plus dig into: The 4-3-3 formation; where have Mora and Reyna been?; Kahlina saving us again; and Andre Shinyashiki off to a flying start. Then they move on to preview the midweek U.S. Open Cup match against Richmond Kickers.

Matt and David are back to preview Charlotte FC's return to Bank of America Stadium against Inter Miami. They break down the new player signing – and a possible new formation? – that may affect Saturday's match. They also discuss some merch for good – the MCC Pride Scarf and sunglasses that support Time Out Youth. And they dig into the surprise departure of Tepper Sports CEO Nick Kelly.

Most importantly, David learns that he is "good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it – people like him."

Charlotte FC beat Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup action this week! Well, kind of. They won a penalty shootout and got two points. But still! It's (kind of) a win!

Matt, David and Corey return to talk about this match and the forgettable one against Philadelphia. Topics include:

• David Bingham channeling his inner Kristijan Kahlina.
• The wild atmosphere in the stadium.
• What's going on in the summer transfer window.
• And Matt tries to convince Corey to care about Leagues Cup.

Charlotte FC ended its extended road trip in not-so-stellar fashion, losing 2-1 to Orlando City. Matt and David discuss the uninspired first half, why Titi and Franco should see some time on the bench, and why a new formation is badly needed. They also quickly cover some new signings that we hope will bolster the squad as the season continues.

Matt and David break down Charlotte FC's 0-0 draw against Colorado Rapids, a game Charlotte easily could have won with the way it played in the second half. What should we take away from that result as we head into a third-straight away match this weekend? Also, David got a new office chair. It's gas-powered. He wanted to make sure we included that in the episode description.

Matt and David try to uncover what went wrong in Charlotte FC's fourth-straight away loss to the New England Revolution and also look ahead to the midweek U.S. Open Cup match against Greenville Triumph. 

Charlotte FC heads out on the road this weekend for a rematch with New England Revolution and Matt, David and Corey (!!) gathered at Edge City Brewery to talk all about it. They also previewed Charlotte's first U.S. Open Cup match against Greenville Triumph on April 20. It's going to be a fun week.

The Queen City wears the crown after Charlotte FC beat that city 1-0 in front of 32,000+ fans at Bank of America Stadium. And Matt and David are feeling "pretty damn good" about it. The duo breaks down Sunday's win over Atlanta United – including Jordy Alcivar's olimpico – and also discuss where DP Kamil Józwiak fits in this squad when he returns from injury.

The win streak comes to an end. Matt and David get together to discuss Charlotte FC's return to Earth in a 2-0 loss to Philadelphia and work through some ... interesting roster and substitution decisions.

Matt Swift and David Gusler are joined once again by the walking MLS encyclopedia that is Vaughn Pollman to talk about the Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati match (another win!). They also look at the road ahead for Charlotte FC and Matt tells us how the other half lives after watching the last match from the Vault.

What. A. Day. Charlotte FC scores its first goal in Bank of America Stadium and earns its first win in club history 3-1 over New England Revolution. Matt and David are here to break down the Karol Swiderski brace, Ben Bender's magic and everything else from Saturday's historic match.

Charlotte FC went down to Georgia, and Matt and David are here to break down the good (Charlotte FC's first goal!), the bad (giving up another penalty) and the ugly (heartbreak in stoppage time) from the Crowns' first match against Atlanta United.

David and Matt reminisce about the first Charlotte FC home match – everything from the tailgate to the march to the viral national anthem moment ... oh, and the result on the field as well – and look ahead to this weekend's rivalry match with that city. 

Matt, David and Corey are all back together to talk about Charlotte FC's massive 3-1 road win over league-leading FC Cincinnati. We also talk about some tricky lineup situations coming up this week, discuss Karol Swiderski's role when he returns and get a little heated talking about what happens if/when Tim Ream joins the squad. And we answer all your questions live!

Charlotte FC will play its first home match in front of a record-breaking MLS crowd this weekend. What should we expect? Matt, David and the one and only Russell Varner (aka Good Ol' Rusty) break down the match. The crew is also joined by special guest Ryan Bailey to commemorate the historic match. 

This episode was recorded at Lenny Boy Brewing during the launch of the delicious Mint City/Lenny Boy Brewing pilsner collaboration. Thanks for letting us crash your taproom, Lenny Boy!

Matt and David take an analytical look back at Charlotte FC’s first match, a 3-0 loss to DC United. They explain why the match was more encouraging than the scoreline suggests and look and dissect the good, bad and ugly player ratings.

David and Matt discuss the good and the bad from the final two games of the Carolina Challenge Cup and preview Charlotte FC's first match, which is this weekend at D.C. United. They also talk about the upcoming home opener and other exciting events coming up in the world of Mint City Collective.

Swift and David come to you live in Charleston to give their initial reactions to the first open-to-the-public preseason game against Charleston Battery. Should fans be concerned? We also discuss Darwin and the recent bad luck of CLTFC, and ... mascots?

Matt and David hopped on Twitter for another live show (with way less background noise)! Up for discussion this week: Should we panic over Marc Nicholls leaving? Should we panic that we missed on Paul Arriola? And how excited are we that Charlotte FC training finally got underway?

Charlotte FC Chief Fan Officer Shawn McIntosh and MLS expert Vaughn Pollman join Matt Swift for the Mint City Soccer Show's first live episode at Lenny Boy Brewing! The guys discuss a wide range of Charlotte FC news from the past few weeks and go deep on Charlotte FC's first SuperDraft pick.

Charlotte FC Director of Scouting Thomas Schaling stops by to discuss how he got started in scouting, the Charlotte FC MLS Expansion Draft, the upcoming MLS Super Draft and the strategy around Designated Players and signings.

Matt, David are Corey were joined by Vaughn Pollman, Charlotte FC President Nick Kelly and Director of Player Personnel Bobby Belair to break down all of the picks in Tuesday night's draft, discuss more roster news from the past few days and hear the process behind Charlotte FC's first kit. And Matt tells us what it's like to speak your dreams into existence. Recorded live from a bunker suite in Bank of America Stadium during the Charlotte FC Expansion Draft. 

David Gusler, Matt Swift and Russell Varner get together to talk about the announcement of Charlotte FC's first MLS home match. And, because Russell is on the show, they do an MLS preview – this time about the playoffs. And because it's a day that ends in "y" David mispronounces yet another European club name.

David, Matt and Corey invite newly minted Chief Fan Officer Shawn McIntosh to have a beer at Salud Cerveceria and talk about his one-of-a-kind role with Charlotte FC.

Matt Swift is also back after his trip to Ireland to talk all things Taylor Swift – and Charlotte FC. Matt and David Gusler break down the recent results – losses against Inter Miami and Houston Dynamo – and also discuss the impact of Karol Swiderski rejoining the Crown.

Matt & David discuss PSLs, Ticket Prices, Turf, Chief Fan Officer and David has a great marketing plan for the new Leagues Cup.

Hosted by Matt Swift and David Gusler. Edited by Corey Inscoe

mintcitycollective.com

It's MLS All-Star week, so Corey, Matt, David and special guest Russell Varner gathered at Matt's house, drank bourbon and assessed the MLS season so far. Hear who we think have been the biggest surprises and disappointments so far, and learn what storylines we think Charlotte FC fans should be watching in the second half of the season.

David, Matt and Scott discuss upcoming Mint City Collective events, the Supporters’ Group Council, “Friends” and pivoting, and the Matthews MCC chapter.

Matt and David share a beer with Charlotte FC Director of Player Personnel Bobby Belair.

David and Matt sit down with Brandt and Rebecca Bronico to talk about life as a professional soccer player, their college playing days at UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte FC coaching news. Brandt was one of the first signings for Charlotte FC and is currently playing on loan with the Charlotte Independence.

Charlotte FC President Nick Kelly sits down with Matt, David and Corey to break some exciting team news.

Johnny and Corey are back – with new cohosts! David Gusler and Matt Swift join the team to talk about upcoming Mint City Collective events, an exciting new player signing and coaching search news (or lack thereof).  Thanks to Salud Cerveceria for hosting us and serving us delicious beer!

New to following MLS? Need a team to root for this season while waiting for 2022? Or just want to know what storylines Charlotte FC fans should be following? We got you. Resident MLS experts Chris Ashley and Russell Varner join Johnny and Corey to break down the league and make some (surprising) playoff predictions. Oh, and Johnny does a ridiculous lightning round, of course.

Johnny came over to Corey's backyard to talk about Charlotte FC tickets and relaunch this here internet radio program. They also name dropped Joe Bruno on accident. But it's fine because he's great and the Joe they meant to shout out is also great.

"Soon" is now. Today we learned that the team we'll be cheering like maniacs for starting in 2022 will be called Charlotte Football Club. Say it again: Charlotte Football Club. In this episode, Johnny and Corey recorded their reactions while watching the reveal live (MINTED!), then they took a break before talking to one of the video's stars – MCC member Matt Chantry – about the making of the video and his thoughts on the branding.

We're back after a huge seven-point week for Charlotte FC. David and Corey take you through the 2-0 away win at Philadelphia Union, discuss the team's position on the table, look at some intriguing stats and answer your questions, including a controversial one about peanut butter.

In what is probably the most ridiculous episode we've recorded, Johnny and Corey talk to Twitter stars Gary the Glider and Tommy the Townie about their ongoing feud and the upcoming Charlotte MLS branding announcement. In a (slightly) more series segment, we also discuss the news that the team's first season has been delayed to 2022 and predict what will happen on 7.22. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for this show. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @MintCityPod.

Let's try this again: Our MLS experts Russell Varner and Chris Ashley return to preview the #MLSisBack tournament. We also talk about what Charlotte MLS is doing (and not doing) right now. Oh, and mayonnaise. We discuss mayonnaise.

Johnny and Corey hop on a Zoom call to talk about ... a Zoom call. Charlotte MLS leaders held a virtual meeting with Mint City Collective members and fans to talk about their approach to building a team, ticket sales and branding (kind of). We discussed our biggest takeaways from the meetings and dove into the news that the Tepper Dome might be closer to reality than we realized.