{"id":606635,"date":"2026-04-15T22:15:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T22:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/606635\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T22:15:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T22:15:12","slug":"charlotte-derby-brings-professional-soccer-sides-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/606635\/","title":{"rendered":"Charlotte Derby brings professional soccer sides together"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nTROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST
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\nIdan Toklomati (left) and his Charlotte FC mates will play Charlotte Independence in the US Open Cup today at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews.
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Brandt Bronico knows about competing for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in Charlotte.<\/p>\n

In 2021, he played with then-USL Championship side Charlotte Independence in the nation\u2019s oldest soccer tournament. Tonight, he\u2019ll be with Charlotte FC for the first Charlotte Derby at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed on Paramount+.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it’s going to be just a really cool experience,\u201d Bronico said. \u201cYou know, super unique. We haven\u2019t gotten a chance to play them and Open Cup as we haven\u2019t (drawn) them in the past, but I still have a really good relationship with [Independence coach] Mike Jeffries and [defender] Clay Dimick. I\u2019m looking forward to competing against them and challenging them in Open Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both sides are competing for the same trophy, but there\u2019s more than an opportunity to advance to the round of 16. The Independence are looking for bragging rights against a higher-level side from the same city. That isn\u2019t lost on Bronico, who became friends with Dimick over his lone season with the Jacks and share a fondness for mullet haircuts.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an MLS side, it\u2019s not our first time playing against a lower-league side,\u201d he said. \u201cWe know what to expect. We want to advance in the Open Cup. The Open Cup is a big tournament for us, a good opportunity to go for another trophy, so it\u2019s just about playing our game and staying true to ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Independence (1-1-1 USL League One) last played April 3 \u2013 a 3-2 loss at NT Cosmos in which the Ajmeer Spengler converted three penalty kicks into goals. Independence midfielder Viggo Ortiz continues his hot start to the season with a goal \u2013 the first-year player\u2019s third in as many matches. After the derby, the Jacks travel to One Knox Saturday for the first of three straight road games.<\/p>\n

Charlotte FC (3-2-2 in MLS), which will play four matches in 11 days, including three straight MLS road matches, will have its depth tested starting against Independence. Everyone is healthy and eligible to play, including wing Wilfried Zaha, who missed last week\u2019s 2-1 loss to Nashville SC due to yellow card accumulation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe will rotate a little bit,\u201d Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith said. \u201cBut we said at start the season we\u2019re taking it the competition seriously as we did last year, but we\u2019ve got respect for our position as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bronico wouldn\u2019t have it any other way.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy second year in Chicago, we got to the semifinals of Open Cup and got knocked out by Philly,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve been close to getting to the final of an Open Cup but haven\u2019t quite got there yet. It\u2019s a historic tournament in the United States, and something that I want to win for sure and want to go compete for, so we\u2019re taking it serious and the guys are ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

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