Part 2 in a series where we dive into the stories behind USL League One crest design.
Charlotte Independence has survived, adapted and now provides a rebellious alternative to its cross-town MLS rivals.
The team joined USL PRO (now USL Championship) as an expansion side in 2015. After a stellar 2021 season, the team was faced with the intrusion of MLS into Charlotte. Rather than fold, it dropped to USL League One where it could better serve the players, fans and the community.
While in the league, the team has continued to field talented, diverse rosters of top-tier veterans such as Gabriel Obertan and Miguel Ibarra; exciting young players, such as Omar Ciss and Héctor Acosta; and talented Charlotte locals, like Shalom Dutey and Tresor Mbuyu.
The run to the USL League One finals in 2023 is the thing of legends. The squad took down top-seeded Union Omaha in penalty kicks in the semi-final match, before falling to cross-state rivals NCFC, also in penalty kicks. Much of the core that got them there is already slated to return in 2024, setting up Charlotte as one of the early favorites to top the table.
Charlotte Independence’s crest is rooted in the legends of its city’s revolutionary history
There are three prominent features of the team’s crest: the year 1775, the man on the racing horse, and the crown. So how do these connect with the history of Charlotte?
1775: did Charlotte declare independence first?
According to the team, the name Independence “serves to capture and celebrate Charlotte’s rebellious and visionary history,” by paying tribute to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
In May of 1775, in response to their horror over the massacre of colonists by the British at the Battle Concord and Lexington, and their growing aversion to the oppression of King George II, a group of citizens met in Charlotte to draft the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. This is claimed to be the first document in United States history to call for complete independence from Britain.
While the story has its skeptics among historians, it still serves as a cultural touchstone for the region. Indeed, the date the document was supposedly ratified, May 20th, 1775, became a part of the flag of North Carolina.
The Legend of Captain James Jack
About a week after declaring independence, the same group met again to draft a resolution of self government. Tavern owner Captain James Jack volunteered to deliver the documents to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. It was a dangerous time, and if caught by the British with the resolution, he would likely face death. He arrived safely in Philadelphia, and became a legendary figure in the history of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
The crest pays tribute to this historical legend by prominently featuring a silhouette of Captain Jack on horseback with the date 1775. Of course, this is also the origin of the team’s nickname, “The Jacks.”
Even the light gold color surrounding Captain Jack has significance – according to a team representative, it is officially referred to as “parchment,” representing the paper on which the document was written.
Charlotte: The Queen City
As with much of colonial American history, the city of Charlotte’s is also grounded in nuance and contradiction.
Both the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are named in honor of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who served as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and the wife of King George III. Yes, the same King George III against whom the citizens responsible for the Declaration of Independence were rebelling.
The names of the city and county pre-date the American Revolution, having been incorporated in 1762 (Mecklenburg) and 1768 (Charlotte), and remained despite the country’s eventual independence from the Crown.
Today, Charlotte is nicknamed the “Queen City,” due to its namesake Queen. The crown design is found on signs all over the city.
Thus, the crown in the Charlotte Independence crest represents the city of Charlotte’s nickname.
The crest and Charlotte Independence’s fan culture
One supporter group, the Mecklenburg Reserves, displays this sense of rebellious history in their outfits and chants. Members are often be spotted in the stands wearing tri-corner hats, of which the group has a collection distributed before matches.
“There’s a real united quality about this group and the fans who make it happen,” says group President David Thackham, “we’re small, but we’re incredibly loyal to our club and each other.”
The Captain Jack legacy and the Mecklenburg Reserves work together to unite the team and its supporters. With many fans priced out of the MLS market in their own city, Independence provides an affordable, entertaining environment, which the supporter groups are happy to foster.
“Independence shows that Charlotte has a team of the people, by the people, for the people,” explains Thackham.
The hats are especially popular with young kids, many of whom ask the group if they can also help wave flags or beat on the drums. This helps create a long-lasting connection to the team and the fan culture.
Charlotte Independence opens its 2024 season at home on March 16th against One Knoxville.