Charlotte FC announced the signing of American midfielder Ben Bender on Jan. 11, 2022. Bender was selected with the No. 1 overall pick by CLTFC in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
In the 2024 season, Bender continued his recovery that sidelined him towards the end of the 2023 campaign. He featured in two matches for Crown Legacy FC, where he scored a brace in his return and added an assist in the next match, and appeared in six contests for CLTFC. On Sept. 6, Bender was loaned to USL Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies through the remainder of 2024, while also having his contract option for 2025 exercised.
The Baltimore native continued to make an impact in 2023, having added three goals and three assists across 17 regular season matches. Bender also scored the match-tying goal in the 97th minute in the Club’s Group Stage opener against FC Dallas in the inaugural Leagues Cup competition. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in September.
Bender was an important piece of the Club’s inaugural season, having made 31 total appearances in his rookie year, making 19 starts. He led the squad in assists with six and added three goals. His debut came during the Club’s first match at DC United on Feb. 26 and he scored his first professional goal off the bench in the Club’s first win against the New England Revolution on March 19.
Prior to joining the club, Bender played two seasons at the University of Maryland. In his sophomore season, Bender scored seven goals and added five assists across 18 appearances, leading the Terrapins to a 12-4-2 record. In 2021, he was named a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American, United Soccer Coaches All-North Region First Team, Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and All-Big Ten First Team. Bender started all 11 matches in his freshman season, where he scored two goals across 977 minutes. In 2020, he was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team and All-Big Ten Freshman team. He was one of eight elite collegiate underclassmen to sign a Generation adidas contract prior to the draft.
2024 (Charlotte FC): MLS Regular Season – Appeared in six matches, making two starts, totaling 193 minutes. Recorded a goal in his return from injury on May 29 against the New York Red Bulls. Notched an assist against the Philadelphia Union on June 22. Leagues Cup – Started in the Club’s Group Stage match at the Philadelphia Union, where he played 56 minutes. (Crown Legacy FC) MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season – Made two starts and appearances, tallying two goals and an assist in just 124 minutes. (Tampa Bay Rowdies): USL Championship – Appeared in nine matches, six starts, tallying on assist across 477 minutes.
2023 (Charlotte FC): MLS Regular Season – Appeared in 17 matches, making 11 starts, totaling 911 minutes. Suffered a season-ending knee injury in September. Added three goals and three assists. U.S. Open Cup – Started and played 90 minutes in the Club’s 1-0 victory over Orlando City SC. Leagues Cup – Appeared in all five of Charlotte’s Leagues Cup matches, recording 113 minutes. Scored off the bench against FC Dallas in the Group Stage opener, forcing a penalty shootout that CLTFC went on to win. (Crown Legacy FC) MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season – Made one start and appearance, totaling 65 minutes. Made his club debut on March 26 against Huntsville City FC.
2022 (Charlotte FC): MLS Regular Season – Appeared in 28 matches in the Club’s inaugural season, making 19 starts and totaling 1,649 minutes. Finished the season with three goals and a team-leading six assists. Made his debut as a substitute in the Club’s first match at DC United on Feb. 26. Scored his first professional goal in the Club’s first win against reigning Supporters’ Shield champions New England Revolution. Led the squad in key passes with 28. Ranked 18th on Major League Soccer’s 22 Under 22 list. U.S. Open Cup – Appeared in all three of CLTFC’s matches, totaling 151 minutes.
