Carolina Core FC
| Full name | Carolina Core Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | November 10, 2022 | ||
| Stadium | Truist Point High Point, North Carolina | ||
| Capacity | 5,000 | ||
| Owners | Megan Oglesby Matt Penley Mark Penley | ||
| General manager | Eddie Pope | ||
| Head coach | Donovan Ricketts | ||
| League | MLS Next Pro | ||
| Website | https://www.carolinacorefc.com | ||
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Carolina Core FC is an American professional soccer team that is located in High Point, North Carolina. It is an independent team and currently participates in MLS Next Pro.
History
On November 10, 2022, MLS Next Pro announced that a new independent club from North Carolina would join the league in 2024. The club will be led by Eddie Pope as its Chief Sporting Director and owned by Megan Oglesby, Matt Penley, and Mark Penley. They will play at Truist Point following planned renovations to increase the stadium's capacity to 5,000.[1][2][3][4][5]
Carolina ended their inaugural season with 12 wins, 12 losses, and four draws with three penalty shootout victories. Head coach Roy Lassiter was relieved of his duties following the season.[6] He would be replaced by Donovan Ricketts during the offseason.[7]
Players and staff
Current roster
- As of April 5, 2025
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | GK | USA | Alex Sutton |
| 1 | GK | USA | Andrew Pannenberg |
| 2 | DF | USA | Daniel Chica |
| 3 | MF | USA | Zion Scarlett |
| 4 | DF | USA | Kai Thomas |
| 5 | DF | USA | Angel Aguas |
| 6 | DF | ARG | Juan Pablo Rodriguez |
| 7 | FW | USA | Yekeson Subah |
| 8 | FW | ATG | Drake Hadeed |
| 9 | FW | COL | David Polanco |
| 10 | DF | ENG | Jacob Evans |
| 11 | FW | LBR | Anthony Sumo Jr. |
| 12 | MF | TAN | Alenga Charles |
| 13 | FW | HON | Josuha Rodriguez |
| 14 | DF | USA | Jathan Juarez |
| 15 | MF | USA | Corey Lundeen |
| 17 | MF | IRL | Glory Nzingo (on loan from Swansea City) |
| 18 | FW | USA | Jeremiah White IV |
| 19 | MF | COL | Mateo Sarimento |
| 20 | DF | FRA | Ibrahim Covi |
| 21 | MF | DOM | Derek Cuevas |
| 22 | DF | USA | Kiki Gregoire |
| 24 | MF | ARG | Facundo Canete |
| 26 | DF | FRA | Paul Baptiste Behe Leonardi |
| 28 | FW | ARG | Federico Stachuk |
| 29 | MF | COL | Santiago Cambindo |
| 31 | GK | USA | Robert Bailey |
| 77 | MF | CHI | Jonathan Bazaes |
| 99 | MF | LBR | Aryeh Miller |
Staff
- Eddie Pope – Chief Sporting Officer
- Donovan Ricketts – Head Coach
- Amado Guevara – Assistant Coach
- JC Martinez – Assistant Coach
- Robert Ritchie – Director Of Soccer Operations
References
- ^ "New Independent Club led by soccer legend Eddie Pope to join MLS NEXT Pro in 2024". MLS NEXT Pro (Press release). November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Gilkey, Jaelen (November 10, 2022). "High Point city officials release the name of new minor league soccer". WFMY-TV. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Hill, David (November 11, 2022). "High Point pro soccer team to be in MLS pro development league, be called 'Carolina Core'". Triad Business Journal. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ "Local ownership group brings professional men's soccer to the Triad". Yes! Weekly. November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ Stamps, Brayden (November 10, 2022). "Name of High Point professional soccer team revealed". WGHP. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ "Carolina Core FC Relieves Head Coach Roy Lassiter". MLSNextPro.com. MLS Next Pro. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ "Donovan Ricketts Named Carolina Core FC Head Coach | MLSNEXTPro.com". mlsnextpro. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
External links