Resilience Defines Hops’ Opening Week: A Tough Lesson in Greenville, a Statement Made in Burlington
The 2026 NPSL season is officially underway for Charlottetowne Hops FC, and in just two road matches, this squad has already told the Charlotte soccer community everything it needs to know about who they are. One gut-punch loss. One emphatic statement win. And a team that responded to adversity the only way that matters — with three points.
Here’s how it unfolded.
Match 1: Greenville United 2–1 Charlottetowne Hops FC
Saturday, May 10 | Greenville, SC
The Hops opened the 2026 campaign on the road in Greenville, and for long stretches of the match, they looked like the better side. The early stages of the game saw Charlottetowne settle into their shape well, moving the ball with confidence and pressing high to disrupt Greenville’s build-up.
The breakthrough came for the visitors when Bernardo Pacheco got on the scoresheet, finishing off a smart assist from Dio Adamson to give the Hops the lead. It was the first goal of the 2026 season for the club, and the celebration in the Charlottetowne end reflected just how much momentum the group felt in that moment.
But soccer, as it always does, had other plans.
Greenville United found their equalizer at the end of the half and the match entered its final stages level. The Hops defended resolutely and looked to hold the draw in what would have been a respectable away result to open the season. It wasn’t to be. A late winner by the home side — the kind of goal that has no right to decide a game of that quality — sent the points to Greenville and sent the Hops back to Charlotte with a 2–1 defeat and a lesson filed away.
It stung. But the response is what defines a club.
Match 2: Burlington FC 2–4 Charlottetowne Hops FC
Friday, May 16 | Burlington, NC
Five days later, under the lights in Burlington, the 2026 version of Charlottetowne Hops FC introduced itself properly.
The Hops controlled the match from the opening whistle, dictating possession and forcing Burlington into long spells of defending. That dominance paid off in the 22nd minute when Logan Story, making his debut in green, broke the deadlock with a composed finish to open his Hops account immediately. It was exactly the kind of start this team needed after the Greenville result.
Then the game turned against the run of play entirely. Burlington scored twice in the space of three minutes — the 28th and 31st — two goals that barely reflected what had happened on the pitch but left Charlottetowne trailing 2–1 and facing a genuine test of character for the second match in a row.
They answered in seven minutes.
DJ Faye broke through in the 39th minute to draw the Hops level, and before Burlington could catch their breath, Logan Story struck again in the 41st — completing a breathtaking two-minute swing that sent the Hops into halftime with the lead, a 3–2 scoreline, and all the momentum.
Head coach Morteza Ebrahimi made his adjustments at the interval, and the second half belonged completely to Charlottetowne. The Hops were sharper, more direct, and suffocated every Burlington attempt to get back into the contest. The finishing touch came in the 78th minute from Egor Zakharov — who had entered the game just minutes earlier — scoring with his very first touch as a Hops player. First touch of the game. First touch in a Hops kit. Back of the net. The kind of moment that stops a stadium cold before erupting.
Final score: 4–2. Three points. Full character.
Looking Ahead: Home Opener on May 30th
Two road games. One result in each column. But more importantly: a team that knows how to respond.
The Hops now return home for the first time in 2026. Friday, May 30th at 7:30 PM, Charlottetowne Hops FC opens the CSA OrthoCarolina Sportsplex for the season against Bristol Rhythm AFC, and this team will be playing with everything the home crowd brings them.
That’s where you come in.
After watching this squad take a hit in Greenville and come roaring back in Burlington, it’s time to show up and be the 12th man they’ve earned. Craft beer. Carolina sunset. A Hops team with something to prove. There is no better Saturday night in Charlotte on May 30th.
🎟️ Get your tickets now: https://www.happsnow.com/event/charlottetown-hops-fc
Use code CAPTAIN for 20% off single game tickets.
Season Seats still available — $100 Adult / $80 Youth. (https://www.charlottetownehops.com/season-tickets)
#UpTheHops 💚
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Charlottetowne Hops FC play in the NPSL Southeastern Conference. All home matches are at the CSA OrthoCarolina Sportsplex, Charlotte, NC. Follow us on Instagram [@charlottetownehops](https://www.instagram.com/charlottetownehops/), Twitter [@CLTtownehops](https://twitter.com/CLTtownehops), and Facebook.