Welcome to First Sip from the Charlotte FC Podcast, our look at Charlotte FC hosting the New England Revolution this Saturday, May 23, at Bank of America Stadium. Last weekend was a massive bounceback win for Charlotte FC who found their scoring boots in a dominant 3-1 thumping of Toronto FC, cleansing the palate after a rough patch and proving how dangerous this attack can be when everything clicks. But in this league, you don't have time to celebrate. The focus immediately shifts to a quick-turnaround rematch and a heavy dose of bad blood. The New England Revolution are coming to town, the exact same squad that handed the Crown a frustrating 1-0 shutout up at Gillette Stadium just three weeks ago. Charlotte FC is hunting for immediate payback on home soil, looking to neutralize Carles Gil, protect the Fortress, and secure vital Eastern Conference points. To help us break down the tactics, rapid rematch, and the keys to locking down a massive three points before this unusually long break for the World Cup before we start MLS play again in late July, we are stepping inside the broadcast booth.

We are absolutely thrilled to be joined by a true trailblazer in American sports media, a Fox Sports veteran who has called everything from the World Series and the NFL to making history as the first Latino-born broadcaster to call an NHL game in English—he is MLS on Apple TV Play-by-Play announcer, Francisco X. Rivera!

When we watch sports, we watch the surface: the goals, the speed, the final score. But Colin Cerniglia, Sports Journalist for the Charlotte Observer, is looking for something else.

In this episode, we dive into the "human undercurrent"—the invisible cues and personal values that dictate whether a team rises or crumbles. Colin, author of Culture of Excellence and a veteran of both the corporate recruiting world and the sports press box, takes us on a journey through the high-stakes decisions of the New York Yankees and the protective leadership of coaches like Dean Smith.

But leadership isn’t just found in stadiums. Colin pulls back the curtain on his own life, from his obsessive quest to write an unauthorized biography of rock legend Don Henley to a sobering reality check in his own home during a postpartum crisis. We close with a moving tribute to the "first hero" in his life—his grandfather—and the legacy of decency that remains long after the scoreboard is turned off.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Recruiter’s Lens: Why judging talent based on "charm" alone is a recipe for failure.
• The Coach’s Shield: How great leaders protect their players from the noise.
• The Henley Rabbit Hole: A detour into 1960s Texas yearbooks and investigative obsession.
• The Legacy of Decency: What a grandfather’s quiet life teaches us about being remembered.

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• Connect with Colin Cerniglia:

  • Official Substack: CERNIG – The home for Colin’s latest writing, including updates on his Don Henley biography project.

  • The Book: Culture of Excellence: What We Can Learn From The Yankees About Leadership – Colin's deep dive into the organizational secrets of baseball’s most storied franchise.

  • Professional Hub: Talent 409 – Colin’s leadership academy and consulting firm.

  • Podcast: 2 Jocks & A Schlub – A weekly mix of sports, beer, and "nonsense" hosted by Colin and friends.

  • Writing Portfolio: Muck Rack – A collection of Colin's sports journalism and features.

  Follow Colin on Social Media:

  • X: @cjcernig

  • Instagram: @cjcernig

  
  

The Crown is back at the Bank, and the stakes couldn't be higher. In this episode of First Sip, special guest Moisés Linares, MLS on Apple TV Spanish Language PxP Announcer! We break down the high-tension Queen City Derby as Charlotte FC looks to snap a spring slide against a surging FC Cincinnati. With both teams separated by just a single point in the Eastern Conference, Saturday’s clash at Bank of America Stadium is a pivot point for the 2026 season.