Matchday

Charlotte FC, Atlanta United remember Anton Walkes in pre-game tribute

CTL_AntonWalkes_tribute

Before their Matchday 3 showdown Saturday at Bank of America Stadium, fans of Charlotte FC and Atlanta United honored the late Anton Walkes in a pre-game tribute.

The 25-year-old defender, who passed away on Jan. 19 following an accident in South Florida, spent three seasons with Atlanta (2017, 2020-21). Charlotte then selected him in the 2021 MLS Expansion Draft.

A tifo was unfurled and fans from both teams put scarves with Walkes' two MLS teams on them. Players wore warm-up shirts with Walkes' initials "AW" on the sleeves.

Walkes, who originally came through Tottenham Hotspurā€™s academy, made 70 appearances for the Five Stripes (64 starts) before joining Charlotte FC's inaugural campaign. He started 21 of 23 matches for Charlotte last season.