The Carolina Lightnin' was an American soccer club based in Charlotte, North Carolina that was a member of the American Soccer League. The Lightnin' played home matches at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Attendance at home games averaged 6,000 spectators. 20,163 fans attended the September 1981 match against the New York United in which the Lightnin' won the American Soccer League championship by a score of 2–1.
After the ASL folded, the club joined the newly formed United Soccer League as the Charlotte Gold. However, the team folded at the end of the 1984 season. Pro soccer returned to the city when the Charlotte Eagles elevated to the USISL in 1993.
ASL Champions
ASL Rookie of the Year
ASL First Team All Star
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 2 | ASL | 1st, Freedom | Champion | did not enter |
| 1982 | 2 | ASL | 4th | Semifinals | did not enter |
| 1983 | 2 | ASL | 3rd, Eastern | Semifinals | did not enter |
| 1984 | N/A | USL | 2nd, Southern | did not qualify | did not enter |
Rodney Marsh 1980–1983
Bob Benson 1980–1983 Bobby Moore (1983) Paul Child (1982) 
Pat Fidelia (1982–1984) Matt Kennedy (1983) Stuart Lee (1983) 25 Apps 11 Goals Scott Manning (1981–1982) Dave Philpotts (1978–83) 
Dave Pierce (1981–1983) 60 Apps Winning assist ASL Final 1981 Mal Roche (1981) 22 Apps 8 Goals
Derek Smethurst (1982) 6 Apps Don Tobin (1981)
Tony Suarez (1981–1983) 22 Apps 15 Goals Dave Power (1981–1983) Captain Hugh O'Neill (1981–1982) Winning goal ASL Final 1981 Santiago Formoso (1981, 1983)
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