Two supporters and media pros discuss professional soccer in Charlotte and beyond. John Hayes is an Executive Producer at The Athletic and Daniel Bramlette is a Sr. Producer at ESPN. Together they tackle Charlotte FC's business on and off the field during its inaugural season in MLS. Is soccer the next major sport in the US? The World Cup in 2026 on home soil could be the tipping point.
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The Charlotte Soccer Show podcast is a must-listen for any soccer fan in Charlotte. As a newer listener, I have quickly become hooked on this podcast due to the hosts' passion and love for the city and the game. They not only focus on all things Charlotte FC, but also cover Crown Legacy, Charlotte Independence, and even college soccer. It's clear that they are dedicated to discussing the growth of the sport in Charlotte as a whole.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the deep dives into the team. The hosts provide game breakdowns and forecasts that are insightful and engaging. They bring a level of expertise as sports journalists that adds credibility to their analysis. Additionally, I appreciate their willingness to share their authentic experiences by recording episodes at bars or coffee shops. This creates an atmosphere that feels like hanging out with friends, rather than just listening to two guys on Zoom.
While there aren't many negative aspects to this podcast, it does occasionally delve into content about Charlotte Independence which may not interest everyone. However, these discussions are infrequent and it's clear that the focus remains primarily on Charlotte FC.
In conclusion, The Charlotte Soccer Show podcast is a fantastic resource for fans of CLTFC and soccer in general. The hosts' passion for their city and the game shines through in each episode, making it an enjoyable listen every week. Whether you're a die-hard supporter or just starting to get into soccer, this podcast provides valuable insights and fosters a sense of community among listeners.
Danny and John tape a special episode whilst on the road after sitting on Managers Row at Subaru Park for Charlotte FC's 2-1 loss to Philadelphia. It's an unfiltered ride home full of lane changes—Zaha played the villain to perfection (and celebrated like it), Deano put on a sideline show of his own, and the Philly fan experience was… something else. The guys also take a hard look at life without Pat on the pitch and ask the burning question: why wasn't Abada in the starting XI? Plus, former Charlotte #1 draft pick Ben Bender got revenge after being cut by The Crown. Buckle up!
Apple MLS Season Pass Analyst Calen Carr joins DannyBrams for some talk about the shifting identities of Charlotte FC this year, how The Crown stacks up in the Eastern Confernnce Playoff Chase, and most immediately: How to get three points on the road vs one of MLS's elite clubs, the Philadelphia Union! It's For the Crown, Baby!
Recorded live from Dom's Dive Bar during the heat of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, John Hayes and Danny Brams dive deep into Charlotte FC's rollercoaster first half of the season. From Patrick Agyemang's breakout performances to Dean Smith's evolving tactics and Wilfried Zaha's impact. Plus, an uncomfortable conversation about The Captain Ashley Westwood. The duo bring their signature banter and sharp analysis to the mic. Grab a pint and join the conversation—this one's as gritty and passionate as a night on Mint Street.
Apple TV's Neil Sika returns to the show after calling The Crown's midweek loss to the Red Bulls and ahead of a game in Toronto that appears to be a must-win as Charlotte FC looks to shake off its "May Miasma." DannyBrams & Neil break down why the Charlotte defense has failed to live up to the great standard set earlier this season, delve into the position battle on the right wing between Liel Abada and Kerwin Vargas, and outline exactly what Charlotte can do to make sure that June is a much better month than the one that preceded it. It's for the Crown, Baby!
Apple TV's Tony Husband returns to the show ahead of the Charlotte-Nashville Showdown that he'll be in the booth for on Saturday Night. Danny Brams talks with Tony about Wilfried Zaha's adjustment to MLS, Charlotte's back line depth in the wake of several injuries, the addition of Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty to the squad, and the fine form that Nashville has found ahead of this massive match. It's for the Crown, baby!
BWP is Back for his second appearance on CSS! The MLS Legend joins DannyBrams to get into the ups and downs of Wilfried Zaha so far in the 2025 Season and what it's like to adjust to the league when coming over from a career in England. They also talk about the stakes for Charlotte in the MLS Eastern conference ahead of a road trip to Columbus without Pep Biel, and a major fixture crunch in the month of May. It's for the Crown, Baby!
Charlotte FC suffers their first loss at Bank of America Stadium in 2025 and the fingers are out and pointing! Superstar DP Wilfried Zaha is firing back at his critics on SnapChat, Dean Smith is calling referees "incompetent," Danny Brams just can't get over the 18 shots that failed to find the back of the net, and John Hayes just wants to know why Patrick Agyemang was subbed out so early! John & Danny break down the loss, the postgame reaction, and the big picture impact on Charlotte FC's season as The Crown enters a new phase of the campaign- a daunting road gauntlet in May full of midweek games and showdowns with Eastern Conference Contenders. Put those pointing fingers away and settle in for a fun listen...It's for the Crown, Baby!#charlottefc #forthecrown #wilfriedzaha #deansmith #mlsseasonpass #mlssoccer #soccer #football #referee
MLS Legend Dax McCarty has been a vocal advocate for Charlotte FC in his rookie year as a broadcaster on Apple MLS Season Pass. The outspoken analyst joins Danny Brams to discuss making the transition from player to broadcaster, explain why he chose 2 Charlotte FC players for his Early Season Best XI (but not 3!), and sing the praises of Pep Biel, Adilson Malanda, Dean Smith & Brandt Bronico, among others. He also gives some warning about a possible trap game vs New England Revolution this weekend, and offers some thoughts on how Charlotte can stay among the elite with a tough schedule stretch on the immediate horizon. It's for the Crown, Baby! #charlottefc #mlsseasonpass #mlssoccer #appletv #forthecrown #daxmccarty #pepbiel #deansmith
Pep Biel does it again! John Hayes and Danny Brams react to Charlotte FC's 3-0 win over San Diego where Nick Scardina made his MLS debut. We hear from Patrick Agyemang, Dean Smith & more. Do people realize how good Wilfried Zaha is playing? We debate. #charlottefc #mlssoccer #mlsseasonpass #forthecrown #wilfriedzaha #pepbiel #patrickagyemang #andrewprivett #deansmith #soccer #football
One of our faves, Ross Smith returns to the show ahead of his assignment in the booth calling San Diego FC at Charlotte FC this weekend. Ross freely admits that SDFC are his "2nd team" to keep an eye on each Saturday as their attractive soccer has made him an instant fan of the expansion squad. He breaks down the opponents Dean Smith will need to nullify if the Crown is going to keep its recent home win streak going. Plus: -Pep Biel for MVP -Backline Injury Issues -Showdown Series looms with Columbus Crew It's for the Crown, Baby!#soccer #charlottefc #sandiegofc #forthecrown #appletv #mlsseasonpass
John and Danny discuss the importance of Pep Biel's first half goal in Montreal. Dean Smith set up the team in a 4-2-3-1 and it got The Crown a clean sheet and its first road win of the season. Adilson Malanda was named man of the match but the guys agree it should have went to Kristijan Kahlina. Charlotte FC now sits 3rd on the MLS table. Is the early season success a sign that this team will compete for the Supporters Shield or is it smoke and mirrors? It's For the Crown, baby. #charlottefc #mlssoccer #mls
In a historic first for the show, we've got a guest talking Charlotte FC from the back of an Uber!Renowned commentator Callum Williams will call the Crown's match in Montreal Saturday, he joins Danny Brams for some thoughts on how to replace the injured Wilfried Zaha, why Patrick's Agyemang's impact goes well beyond goal scoring, and how Charlotte's Pepas pregame ritual compares to the Wonderwall postgame singalong in Minnesota where Callum once called home. Williams also shares some inside knowledge on Dean Smith's local pub back in Birmingham, England. It's a little bit of everything in a quick-hitting episode, and it's always For the Crown, Baby!
80 minutes of torture followed by 10 minutes of bliss...we wouldn't have it any other way! Charlotte FC left it late vs Nashville but turned the scoreline around and won their 7th straight match at home with a 2-1 result.John & Danny are here to sing the praises of Idan Toklomati, Pep Biel & Wilfried Zaha (among others!). We'll also ponder if Dean Smith got things wrong with his lineup selection and early tactics, plus look at the opportunity The Crown now has to truly join the MLS elite.It's the kinda show that'll make you pour some bourbon in your coffee, and it's For the Crown, Baby!
The Crown was riding high into Colorado and looking to dominate on the road and establish themselves as a true MLS contender, but instead the sputtered, wasted some good chances, and then conceded a crackerjack counterattack and a questionable penalty, and that was that.John & Danny break down just how big of a setback this was for Charlotte FC's fortunes in the big picture of the season, dig into why road matches continue to be such a problem for the club, and speculate on whether a dip in form by Adilson Malanda is a sign of deeper issues.It's an upbeat take on a downbeat day...it's For the Crown, Baby!
Charlotte FC is off to strongest start in club history after putting San Jose to the sword in a 4-1 home thrashing. John & Danny break down the goals and add perspective from the Gaffer, the Captain, and the local legend who says after this win "Hell Yeah we can challenge for a league title!" The Doumbia Debut, The Toklomati Takeover, Pep in the Pocket, Westwood's Nosebleed, Dad Strength Meeting Composure, Classic Kerwin, and Wilfried Zaha dancing all over the pitch...it's ALL here to be recaptured in this can't miss episode. And we even throw in a little USMNT Agyemang for good measure.It's for the Crown, Baby!*
Danny Brams & Kevin Egan discuss the fun of hosting shows that have become appointment television for MLS fans (and why everyone hates the New York Red Bulls). Kevin fills us in on some key changes to the Apple MLS Season Pass presentation of the league, why Charlotte FC has a great chance to build on early-season success, and where Dean Smith ranks among the best coaches in the league. We even found a few extra minutes to preview this weekend's Charlotte vs San Jose match, touch on why Kevin still favors Messi for 2025 MLS MVP, and dig into his roots in Gaelic Football and other GAA games. Slainte! It's For the Crown, Baby!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VY8AABd5OK0
Liel Abada and Patrick Agyemang open their 2025 accounts against rival Cincinnati. John Hayes and Danny Brams discuss the performance and celebrate another Kristijan Kahlina clean sheet. Plus, FC matches are now available locally on TV 64 & artificial turf at The Fortress is still a sight for sore eyes.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Lk9zuSliWvU
After a hugely disappointing loss at Miami with Lionel Messi on the bench, John & Danny ponder the question: Is it actually tougher to beat 10-men?? We break down the red card, the goal, the missed chances, and the postgame commentary. We'll also dig into some of the big money stories surrounding why Messi isn't playing, and why some MLS GMs are starting to regret the Apple TV deal...plus: is there a new (loanee) signing on the Charlotte FC horizon??It's for the Crown, Baby!WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=380w3dH6hI0
Charlotte FC defeats rival Atlanta United 2-0 in the home opener! John Hayes & Danny Brams discuss matchday, watch highlights and hear from Wilfried Zaha, Dean Smith & Pep Biel post match. Up Next: Inter Miami and Lionel Messi.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC6-1-qotqs
It's officially matchweek #1 and Charlotte FC is headed to Cascadia to start the season at Seattle Sounders. We preview the matchup, hear from Ashley Westwood about Wilfired Zaha & time-travel back to Patrick Agyemang's first MLS goal vs. Seattle. Plus, predictions! It's For the Crown, baby!
It's a milestone episode on the eve of Matchweek 1! John & Danny answer TFOS (Tremendous Friends of the Show) questions. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to listen and contribute to the conversation. For the Crown, baby!
Zaha is signed, sealed, delivered #forthecrown , Patrick Agyemang is scoring at will for the #usmnt , and Charlotte FC is back in the #usopencup We break down all that, plus check in with USA Legend Landon Donovan, and give a final goodbye to Karol Swiderski. It's For the Crown, Baby
With a young CLTFC striker potentially leading the line for the USMNT, a superstar signing on the verge of completion, and more quality depth than the squad has ever seen, The Crown is set to start season 4 ready to truly, finally contend for MLS Cup.John & Danny are set. for the 2025 Charlotte FC & MLS season!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXEofHJmZK8
Tepper Sports & Entertainment has restructured the Charlotte FC front office, and President Joe LaBue is out. Is a slump in ticket sales to blame? Who is now the club's fan-facing spokesman? Patrick Agyemang is still without a new contract. Will Dean play Pat and Karol Swiderski together in 2025?
The Crown was one minute away from advancing past Orlando and on to the 2nd Round of the MLS Playoffs...then it all came crashing down.
It has come down to game three in Orlando. A win sets up Charlotte FC with a matchup vs. Inter Miami or Atlanta United. How will Dean Smith get the job done? John Hayes and Danny Brams are live!
John and Danny discuss Friday night's must-win match at The Fortress. Plus, reaction to Sunday's loss in Orlando.
John Hayes and Danny Brams are LIVE on YouTube to chat about Charlotte FC's TOP 5 finish and preview the playoff series vs. Orlando. WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/live/Q--R7aVy70M?si=y6Qm7L08tePA0-9x@ForTheCrownBaby @CharlotteSoccerCity@JohnHayesOnAir@DannyBrams
John Hayes and Daniel Bramlette discuss Charlotte FC's winning week and playoff qualification. Plus, Patrick Agyemang's future and Swiderski's resurgence. Dean Smith is flexing with his new tactics and signings. The Crown is back to winning ways to finish off the season.
After DannyBrams needled Dean Smith about Charlotte FC's "boring" play during a 3-match losing streak, The Crown responded in a big way with a 4-0 thrashing of the New England Revoluition that has bouyed playoff position and restored some hope for a potential postseason run in the QC. We l talk that match plus the Brandt Bronico Beds For Kids Fundraiser that turned out to be a hell of a party, and look ahead a bit to an away day against InterMessi and crew that should be a vital measuring stick for where this club actually is with just four matches left in the regularseason.It's For the Crown, Baby!
It's been a drought of episodes for this show and a drought of points for Charlotte FC...we may not be able to fix the latter but the former has at least been cured for now as Hayes & Brams get back on the mics to talk about where The Crown stands with just 5 matches left in the season and the club free-falling down the league table.We react to Dean Smith's pre-New England press conference and break down some of the changes he made against Orlando in midweek which sadly failed to produce the desired result...is it too late for this club to make some playoff magic or will they shake off these doldrums and start peaking at the perfect time? It's for the Crown, Baby!
Great sitdown with Nathan Byrne as Charlotte FC enters the stretch run of the 2024 MLS Season with all eyes on the playoffs. We talk about the Crown's stalwart defensive record, incorporating Tim Ream into the fold, and how the team can improve it's often woeful offense...plus we find out his favorite American food delivery service, and why his son is pushing for Nathan to get his first MLS goal before the season is over. Enjoy!
John Hayes and Danny Brams are at Belfast Mill! Stengs Transfer Falls Thru / Almiron Negotiations Implode...how much responsibility does Zoran bear for this? Pep Biel Emergency Loan Deal...what do we expect? Leagues Cup reaches Semifinal stage...does anyone care? Charlotte FC returns to action Saturday vs Red Bulls... the start of 9 game runout to the season...how many pts do we project from the 27 possible? Plus, the Carolina Ascent Debuts with great fanfare and three points.
Football is back!! Doubters were circling near the end of the window but Charlotte FC appears to have defied the odds by bringing in a new record signing just before the deadline, Creative Attacking Mid Calvin Stengs from Feyenoord Rotterdam. Stengs projects as a transformational signing For The Crown, potentially one of the best players in MLS as the league hits its homestretch...and he may not be the only signing in store! A shock move for Miguel Almiron is also rumored, one which would not only shoot Charlotte FC into the talent stratosphere, but also would break the hearts of whatever fans Atlanta United has left.Johnny & Brams are here to break it all down, plus put this news in context of all the amazing things happening across this Soccer City. The Independence are top of the league and fighting for glory in the Jaeger Cup, and the Ascent are preparing for a launch that will elevate women's soccer to heights never seen before in the Queen City. It's all happening, folks, and there has literally never been a better time to be a fan of the beautiful game in this town. Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride...we promise you will never regret it. For the Crown, For the Jacks, and For the Climb, BABY!
John and Danny discuss Fulham legend Tim Ream signing with Charlotte FC. Is this the "big name" signing the club promised or will we see another impact incoming in the next three weeks before the transfer window closes? Plus, TFOS questions!
Danny Brams is back from The ATX to share some Away Day storytelling with John Hayes, surrounding the Crown's 2-2 draw vs the Verdes. From the pregame parties to the friendly Austin fans to spreading the gospel of Bronico, it's all here! We'll also talk some Leagues Cup significance and address recent transfer rumors about a new U-22 Initiative signing reportedly heading to Charlotte...It's for the Crown, Baby!
John Hayes and Daniel Brackett recap Charlotte FC's performance on the road vs. Cincy, Columbus and Austin. Earning five points out of nine is a massive success. Karol Swiderski marked his return with a PK goal. The 2024 Leagues Cup kicks off Saturday at Philly. It's For The Crown, baby!
King Karol is back in the QC. John and Danny discuss how it happened and react to the news. It's COPA semi-final matchday, and HopFly Brewing Company's vibe is immaculate. Two special guests join the show to talk about the transfer window and more. Plus, a preview of Saturday night's match at Cincinnati.
And now for something a little different...To preview the midweek match against Messi-less Miami, Danny Brams joined Daniel & Kris from the Battered Herons Inter Miami Podcast for some banter, some good drinks, and some breakdowns on everything from the matchup to boy bands to shopping cart techniques. This one gets a little crazy y'all and it was so much fun we had to share it with the TFOS...these Miami boys were none to happy with some of the smoke that Danny was bringing, enjoy!
Charlotte FC Captain Ashley Westwood joins the show! John Hayes, Danny Brams, Daniel Brackett & Matt Geslin are at HopFly Brewing for "The Captain" release party. We talk about the 2-0 win vs. Philly, what it means to wear the armband and what the future holds for The Crown.
Two sublime goals from the young striker and a bounceback performance from the defense led to Charlotte FC's 9th Kahlina Sheet of the season and 3 crucial road points...let's talk about it!
Another One-Nil win at the Fortress has Charlotte FC poised in the Top 5 of the MLS Eastern Conference, as a playoff berth starts to become less of a hope and more of an expectation. The result was perfect despite the match being a bit of a tough watch with missed chances galore...even the Gaffer only rated his squad at a 6/10. Hayes & Brams are here to break it all down and get ready to Go Again in the midweek, home vs Orlando SC. We dive into scoring woes, defensive prowess, Bronico's workrate, Agyemang's inconsistency, potential new signings, playing and training in the heat...and the big ask from TSE for $650 Million dollars of our tourism budget. It's an episode with a little bit of everything and it's always For the Crown, Baby!
He's the youngest player to score a brace in Charlotte FC history, and scored the first-ever goal for Crown Legacy, but Brandon Cambridge's chance to put his stamp on the 2024 season was delayed due to a preseason ankle injury. Now after 5 months of rehab, Cambridge is back, putting in two recent shifts in NextPro and training with the first team once again. We caught up with him during the Charlotte FC bye week as he prepares to score as many goals as he possibly can in the second half of the MLS Season. It's for the Crown, Baby!
It's the halfway point of the Charlotte FC season! John Hayes, Daniel Bramlette and Daniel Brackett are at Salud to discuss Sunday's 3-2 win at Atlanta, Liel Abada's brace, Dean Smith's tactics and more from a busy weekend in MLS. Plus, thoughts on the proposed Bank of America Stadium renovation that includes $650 million in taxpayer dollars.
Charlotte FC 0, Philadelphia Union 0...it's five straight Kahlina Sheets but also two straight Nil-Nil draws. Should Charlotte fans feel hopeful? Nervous?? Confident??? We answer that question by listening to the post-game commentary from Dean Smith, Adilson Malanda, and Liel Abada, and trying to read between the lines a little bit. It's Decoding the Presser and it's For the Crown, Baby!
It's a Two Dannys Edition of the show as we breakdown Charlotte FC's fourth clean sheet in a row hosting LA Galaxy, and we'll also take a look at MLS as a whole, with highlights of a stellar individual performance north of the border, and a crazy comeback win for the best team in the West, Real Salt Lake. We'll dig into both conference tables and give Brams some room to explore one of his bonkers conspiracy theories...and we might even go a little global at the end of the episode and let Brackett have a few minutes to say goodbye to his beloved Jurgen Klopp. The scope of the show has expanded, and it's still For the Crown, Baby
It's a Very Special Episode of the show as Danny welcomes in Bridget McCall of the Queen's Pitch for a collab to recap the Crown's 1-0 win at Chicago in the midweek. Westwood's Banger brought home the 3 points and secured a 3-match win streak, with some massive assistance from Kristijan Kahlina's two big stoppage time saves.We talk about it all and hear from Deano & Westy with their reactions to everything that happened, with some special insight from Bridget who just so happens to be texting buddies with Our Captain. It's always great when you can win without putting on your best performance, and we'll evaluate where this result has put the Crown in the MLS Eastern Conference Table.This one also features some reaction to Ben Bender's spectacular 45 minute appearance for Crown Legacy in a rehab stint, we'll hear from Bender as well as get Bridget's take on having been at that match....and we'll even take a few minutes to preview the next game which hits fast and furious in this DGW, as LA Galaxy returns to the Fortress for the first time since our inaugural home match.It's For the Crown, Baby!
It's a match preview, Decoding the Presser style!Dean Smith gets reflective ahead of the Crown's first Double Game Week of the Season, and a Wednesday night trip to the Windy City to face the flailing Chicago Fire. This presser was light on actual discussion of the upcoming opponent, but Dean did get several probing questions that let him expound on some of his philosophical concepts about the game...plus Ben Bender gets a shoutout for his baking skills! Let's Decode, Baby!!
It's a Full Time Round Up takeover! Daniel Brackett and John Hayes react to a busy weekend of soccer across the globe. We talk EPL, MLS, Charlotte FC & EFL! Plus, get ready for midweek madness!
John Hayes chats with self-proclaimed "Soccer Nerd" Jaime Macias of Apple TV's MLS Season Pass. The guys preview Saturday night's match at Bank of America Stadium, discuss Kerwin Vargas' contract extension, recap an epic Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and are in awe of Messi's MLS magic.
The former Jacksonville Armada and Orlando City goalkeeper now works as a Spanish-language Analyst for Apple MLS 360, and he joins us to preview Charlotte FC's first ever home match vs the Portland Timbers! We discuss how Charlotte can solve its problem of conceding late goals, why the Crown struggles to build through the middle in attack, and the question we hear all too often so far this season: Enzo Copetti or Patrick Agyemang?? There's potential for a scintillating shootout in the rain this weekend at the Fortress, could be an all-timer...it's For the Crown, baby!
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