Tombstone
Born: April 1, 1984 – USL founding franchise
Folded: Postseason 1984
First Game: May 19, 1984 (W 4-3 @ Fort Lauderdale Sun)
Last Game: August 15, 1984 (L 4-2 @ Oklahoma City Stampede)
USL Championships: None
Stadium
American Legion Memorial Stadium (24,500)11984 Jacksonville Tea Men Program
Marketing
Team Colors: Carolina Blue & Charlotte Gold
Ownership
Owner: C. Richard Melvin, Felix Sabates, et al.
Background
The Charlotte Gold played one season of lower-division men’s professional soccer in the summer of 1984. The franchise was a successor/replacement for the more popular Carolina Lightnin’ team that played in the 2nd Division American Soccer League from 1981 to 1983. The Lightnin’ folded along with the rest of the ASL during the winter of 1983-84.
The United Soccer League quickly rose from the ashes of the ASL. Charlotte was awarded the league’s ninth and final franchise on April Fools’ Day 1984. The Gold were formed just six weeks prior to their first match on May 19th, 1984.
Former U.S. National Team captain Dave D’Errico was Charlotte’s player-coach. Ex-Lightnin’ fan favorite Tony Suarez was the Gold’s top scoring threat.
Charlotte finished the 1984 USL season with an 11-13 record and narrowly missed the playoffs.
The End
Following the season, Gold ownership flirted with applying for membership to the 1st division North American Soccer League for the 1985 season. But the 17-year old NASL itself collapsed during the winter of 1984-85. In January 1985, with the NASL’s surviving membership down to just three clubs, Gold owner Felix Sabates announced that he would to join the NASL after all.2Scott, David. “‘What’s going on?'” The Charlotte News (Charlotte, NC). January 30, 1985 This effectively marked the end of the Gold organization.
Meanwhile, seven of the nine United Soccer League clubs from 1984 folded as well. The USL itself went out of business midway through its second season in June 1985.
Fun While It Lasted is looking to buy any and all memorabilia from the Charlotte Gold, or acquire photos or images of the team. Post to the comments if you can help.
Thank you to reader Gerry Sweeney for sharing the Santiago Formoso game jersey (pictured above) for use in this post!
Charlotte Gold Shop
Downloads
7-11-1984 Gold @ Rochester Flash Game Notes
7-11-1984 Charlotte Gold @ Rochester Flash Game Notes-rotated
7-4-1984 Gold @ Fort Lauderdale Sun Roster
Links
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4 Responses
May have Charlotte Gold miscellaneous items. Need to check.
I have a gold jersey 1984 formoso number 10
Gerry – Awesome! Thank you sharing the photo of Santiago’s jersey. I’ve added it to the article now as the featured image.
Drew
i have posters of charlotte barons and charlotte Blast (another AM. legion stadium based team) framed posters i can send you picture of, . plus there was another team owned by earl todd called Carolina storm (green uni’s) i went to all the games back then Chargers were most successful , have pic of their bumper sticker as well, also framed if you send me email i can send you pics you can use if u desire