Carolina Ascent FC

Carolina Ascent FC
FoundedMay 16, 2023 (2023-05-16)
StadiumAmerican Legion Memorial Stadium
Capacity10,500
Head coachPhilip Poole
LeagueUSL Super League
Websitewww.carolinaascent.com

Carolina Ascent Football Club is an American professional women's soccer club based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that competes in the USL Super League (USLS). The club also features an affiliate team in the USL W League (USLW), which began play in summer 2024.

History

Charlotte was named as one of the eight team locations in the USL Super League on May 16, 2023.[1] The team name was announced on March 21, 2024.[2] The Ascent named USWNT assistant coach, Philip Poole, as the head coach in January 2024.[3]

The club announced its plans for a USL W League affiliate on December 13, 2023.[4] The team follows the Charlotte Independence women's team which featured in the 2022 and 2023 W League seasons.[5] Erika Duncan, who was an assistant coach with the W League's Charlotte Independence during its two seasons, served as the W League team's inaugural head coach for the 2024 W League season before transitioning to her role as assistant coach for the Super League team.[6]

Inaugural season

Carolina made history by playing in the inaugural match of the USL Super League, where Vicky Bruce scored the league's and the club's first-ever goal. Renee Guion also become the first player in the league to receive a yellow card. Carolina secured a 1-0 victory against DC Power FC. During their second game, Carolina tied 1-1 against Lexington SC.

Sponsorship

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor (front) Shirt sponsor (back) Sleeve sponsor Ref.
2024–present Capelli Sport Nucor Novant Health N/A [7]

Players and staff

Current roster

As of July 12, 2025[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  USA Meagan McClelland
3 MF  USA Giovanna DeMarco
4 DF  USA Vicky Bruce
7 MF  PUR Jill Aguilera
8 DF  USA Emily Moxley
9 FW  USA Mia Corbin
10 FW  USA Rylee Baisden
12 DF  USA Sydney Studer
13 DF  USA Addisyn Merrick
14 MF  USA Taylor Porter (captain)
16 GK  USA Charlotte Burge
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 FW  USA Audrey Harding
20 FW  USA Jenna Butler
22 MF  ENG B Hylton
23 FW  USA Riley Parker
25 MF  USA Sarah Troccoli
FW  BRA Luana Grabias
DF  USA Brianna Martinez (on loan from Orlando Pride)
GK  PUR Sydney Martinez
MF  USA Emily Morris
DF  USA Meaghan Nally
FW  USA Alyssa Walker

Academy players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
6 FW  USA Maria Tapia
26 DF  COL Isa Franco
70 FW  USA Stella Spitzer

Former players

For details of former players, see Category:Carolina Ascent FC players and List of Carolina Ascent FC players.

Staff

As of August 9, 2024*

Front office
Position Name
CEO & Managing Partner Jim McPhilliamy
Technical staff
Head Coach Philip Poole

Honors

Records

Year-by-year

As of April 20, 2025
Season League Division Regular season Playoffs
P W D L GF GA GD Pts. Pos.
USL W South Atlantic 12 7 1 4 36 10 +26 22 3rd Did not qualify
202425 USL Super League - 24 12 7 5 38 19 +19 43 1st TBD

Team records

As of July 2, 2025.[9][10] Current players in bold. Statistics are updated once a year after the conclusion of the USL Super League season.
Most appearances
Player Appearances
# Name Nat. Pos. Ascent career USLS Playoffs Total
1 Jill Aguilera DF 2024– 28 1 29
Mia Corbin FW 2024– 28 1 29
Taylor Porter MF 2024– 28 1 29
4 Ashlynn Serepca MF 2024–2025 25 0 25
5 Sydney Studer DF 2024– 23 1 24
6 Jaydah Bedoya FW 2024–2025 22 1 23
Kathrynn González MF 2024–2025 22 1 23
8 Audrey Harding FW 2024– 20 1 21
Rylee Baisden FW 2024– 20 1 21
10 Vicky Bruce DF 2024– 20 0 20
Addisyn Merrick DF 2024– 19 1 20
Sarah Troccoli MF 2024– 19 1 20
Top goalscorers
Player Goals scored
# Name Nat. Pos. Ascent career USLS Playoffs Total
1 Mia Corbin FW 2024– 12 0 12
2 Audrey Harding FW 2024– 5 0 5
Eli Hutchinson FW 2024–2025 5 0 5
4 Jaydah Bedoya FW 2024–2025 3 0 3
Sarah Troccoli MF 2024– 3 0 3
6 Jill Aguilera DF 2024– 2 0 2
Jenna Butler DF 2025– 2 0 2
Renée Guion DF 2024– 2 0 2
Ashlynn Serepca MF 2024–2025 2 0 2

References

  1. ^ Spanberg, Erik (May 16, 2023). "Why Dan DiMicco is backing addition of women's pro team to Charlotte Independence roster". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  2. ^ Puente, Nathaniel (March 21, 2024). "Carolina Ascent FC chosen as name for Charlotte women's pro soccer team". WCNC. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  3. ^ "Philip Poole named Super League Carolina's head coach". www.thecharlottepost.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  4. ^ "Super League Carolina Announces USL W League Team and Tryout Date for 2024". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Mahoney, Ashley (May 16, 2023). "New women's professional soccer team coming to Charlotte". axios.com. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "Super League Carolina Welcomes Assistant Coach, Erika Duncan". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  7. ^ "Carolina Ascent FC Welcomes Novant Health as Official Healthcare Provider". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "Roster Archive". Carolina Ascent FC.
  9. ^ "Summary - Carolina Ascent - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  10. ^ "Carolina Ascent FC Player Stats". USL Super League. Retrieved June 29, 2025.