Only five expansion teams have won in their MLS debut

Charlotte FC became the 28th team in Major League Soccer in 2022 and they made their debut with a 3-0 defeat to DC United on Saturday. It is not all bad news for the new team who certainly didn’t look like an expansion side on Saturday night.

They leave with a bittersweet taste because in spite of the result, they could’ve easily won the game. Charlotte FC played very well, but no calls went their way. The referee didn’t call a penalty in their favor even though the ball touched the arm of a DC United player. VAR determined that the player’s arm was unnaturally outstretched - Charlotte didn’t get the call.

"We didn’t [get an explanation]," Charlotte’s defender Christian Fuchs said of the referee's calls. "There was no explanation given. It has nothing to do with communication. These two situations were simply unlucky.”

Charlotte eager to return home

This is the 27th season in Major League Soccer and only five expansion sides have won in their inaugural match. Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps and LAFC have walked out with the three points in their first 90 minutes in MLS. Charlotte FC will quickly turn the page because they are preparing for their home opener on 5 March at the Bank of America stadium against the LA Galaxy.