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The Charlotte Eagles play their home opener at 7 p.m. today against Orlando City at Charlotte Christian. The Eagles (0-1), who lost 1-0 to the Charleston Battery last week, are playing in the United Soccer League's new 15-team Pro division this season and have made the playoffs in 15 of the past 18 seasons.
Five things to know about this season's Eagles:
Watch for Chris Salvaggione, a former Charlotte 49ers standout. Salvaggione, a Hermann Trophy semifinalist for the 49ers, was drafted by Major League Soccer's New England Revolution in 2009 and most recently played for the USL's AC St. Louis before returning to Charlotte. He is overcoming a knee injury, but is scheduled to start tonight.
New goalkeeper Eric Reed joins the Eagles from the Raleigh-based Carolina Railhawks, who play in the North American Soccer League. Reed is a former UCLA goalie who also has played for the Cleveland City Stars, who won the USL2 championship in 2009. Who did Reed and the Stars beat for the title? The Eagles.
There are plenty of familiar names still on the roster, including defender Greg Dalby, forward Jorge Herrera and defender Josh Rife.
Greg Page returns for his fourth season with the Eagles. Page and a few teammates live in Grier Heights, a Charlotte housing project, where they work with underprivileged people and help with the Eagles' church mission. Page's group calls itself the Urban Eagles.
Then there's longtime coach Mark Steffens, who has taken the Eagles to the USL playoffs in 12 of his 14 seasons with the team, including championships in 2000 and 2005.
David Scott
