Who let the dogs out? On Saturday, March 29, Carolina Ascent FC fans, their pups, and plenty of adoptable dogs will pack American Legion Memorial Stadium for the first-ever Pups at the Pitch event — bringing dog lovers together with organizations ready to match pups to their fur-ever homes.

For Josie Studer, a defender on the team, the evening is personal.

"My parents have always had a massive love for animals, and that trickled on down to me and my sister," she explained to CLTtoday. "We have six rescue dogs and eight rescued cats, and we've had goats and horses, too, so I'm just a huge, avid animal lover."
So what can you expect at the pitch? The team is partnering with FidoTabby Alert, Social Pet, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control, and two other rescues to bring adoptable dogs to the stadium.

You don't need to adopt a dog at the game — you can bring yours to enjoy the evening for free.

Editor's note: Dogs must be registered in advance and signed up for the free FidoTabby Alert Service. Regular tickets start at $22 + the game kicks off at 7 p.m.

"To better the world for animals and make a difference is one of the biggest appeals for playing professional sports for me," shared Studer. "It's literally like realizing a dream. It's actually everything that I've ever hoped."

Bonus: The Ascent FC is running a "Pup of the Match" campaign through the season, where fans can nominate their dog to be recognized as the Pup of the Match + winners get tickets to an upcoming game and a prize pack.