In recent expansions, Major League Soccer has been keen to veer away from the shared stadiums of former organisations. After difficulties with certain teams, especially those who have shared nearby NFL stadiums and struggled to fill them, MLS turned to bids which featured smaller but soccer-specific stadia.
Los Angeles FC, Orlando City, and Minnesota United were all handed expansion to the league in large part because of their stadium plans, all of which have been raving successes. Austin FC, Inter Miami and others also have state-of-the-art stadium plans involved in their bids.
So when it was announced that Charlotte would be the 30th expansion team to enter MLS, it was a little surprising, to say the least.