CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Those hoping for the debut of Major League Soccer in Charlotte next year will have to wait a little longer, but owner David Tepper says, "The party's still on!"

MLS Commissioner Don Garber and the league's Expansion Committee have decided to push the debut back to 2022 to allow the club more time to plan for the team's launch.

“We have always taken a thoughtful and strategic approach to our expansion planning and have delivered successful launches for every new club,” Garber said in a statement. “It is important for each club to take the necessary time to launch their inaugural MLS seasons the way their fans and communities deserve. With the extra year to make up for what has been a challenging 2020, these teams will be well-positioned for their debuts and for long-term success.” 

Club operations will continue to move forward in preparation for the 2022 debut, including the unveiling of the team's official name and crest on July 22. 

Tom Glick, President of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, says there was a lot of discussion about the move and feels confident it is in the best interest of the club and supporters to take the additional time to ensure a successful launch.

“When we were awarded the team in December, we knew we were on an extremely tight timeline to begin play in 2021, but we were ready to meet that challenge. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted several of our essential initiatives. We have made huge progress in the last few months but having additional time to build is important,” Glick said.

Charlotte MLS Owner David Tepper also said in a statement Friday, “We are committed to bringing Major League Soccer to our city and region.”

“The party’s still on! We are just delaying it a bit to ensure we have the best experience for our fans when we do start playing,” Tepper said.

Charlotte was officially awarded the league's 30th club during an expansion announcement on December 17, 2019.