CARY, N.C. (May 31,2023) — North Carolina FC Legends will play in The Soccer Tournament (TST) with a $1 Million, winner-take-all prize at stake. Hosted at the club’s home WakeMed Soccer Park, The 7v7 tournament features headline names from around the globe and runs from June 1-4, culminating in a winner-take-all championship match.
Dewan Bader has been tabbed as the head coach for the home town Legends. Bader previously coached with John Hopkins University, the Triangle Futbol Club, and NCFC. A true representation of the proud youth-to-pro club philosophy, Bader has worked with USL League One, U23’s, and the youth branches of NCFC. Now, Bader looks to coach a team of past NCFC Players to a million-dollar prize with a staff of assistant coaches Rick King and Henry Gutierrez.
FULL TEAM ROSTER:
Goalkeepers
#1 Joseph Goodwin — Raleigh, NC, (North Carolina FC: 2014)
Played four years at University of North Carolina, then made professional debut at North Carolina Football Club, continued to Louisville City FC, as well traveled to IF Höttur in Iceland.
#12 Nic Platter – Los Angeles, CA (North Carolina FC: 2010, 2012, 2014)
Played four years at University of California Davis, then made his National Premier Soccer League debut with the Sacramento Knights, then continued with the Minnesota Thunder, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, and North Carolina FC.
Defenders
#88 Cesar Elizondo – Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica (North Carolina FC: 2013-2014)
Made his professional debut with Deportivo Saprissa, moved to the Thai Premier League with Buriram United, made his NASL debut with the NCFC, then continued to the San Antonio Scorpions. Returned home to Pérez Zeledón in Costa Rica and made a debut with the Costa Rica National team.
#15 Christian Ibeagha – Port Harcourt, Nigeria (North Carolina FC: 2017)
Made his professional debut with the Puerto Rico Islanders, then signed with the Bohemians 1906 in the Czech Republic. Signed with the Colorado Switchbacks, NCFC as well as Oklahoma City Energy.
#22 Moses Makinde – London, England (North Carolina FC: 2011-2013)
Played three years at North Carolina State University, then made his professional debut with NCFC and the Baltimore Bohemians. Traveled overseas to debut with Whitehawk, VfB Auerbach Metalul Resista, and Syrianska. Then making his way back to the US he debuted in the USL with the Tulsa Roughnecks, El Paso Locomotive, and the Maryland Bobcats.
#31 Steven Miller – Elkins Park, PA (North Carolina FC: 2015-2020)
Played five years at Colgate University, then traveled to Denmark with Jammerbugt FC. Making his way back to the US, Miller signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads, Tulsa Roughnecks, and NCFC.
#13 Connor Tobin – Fort Collins, CO (North Carolina FC: 2014-2018)
Played three years at University of Vermont then traveled to Norway to play with Nybergsund. He then returned to the US to play with the Rochester Rhinos, Minnesota United, NCFC, and Forward Madison.
Midfielders
#10 Nazmi Albadawi – Raleigh, NC (North Carolina FC: 2014-2017, 2019-2021)
Played four years at North Carolina State University and made his professional debut with NCFC and FC Cincinnati. He made his international debut with the Palestinian national team.
#6 Austin Da Luz – San Diego, CA (North Carolina FC: 2012-2013, 2014-2019)
Played at Wake Forest, then was drafted into the MLS in the first round by the New York Red Bulls and traded to D.C. United. He then played for Orlando City and NCFC.
#26 Cory Elenio – Ann Arbor, MI (North Carolina FC: 2010-2012)
Played four years at University of Evansville, then made his professional debut with Columbus Crew. He went on to play for NCFC, the Wilmington Hammerheads, and the Syracuse Silver Knights.
#3 Kupono Low – Honolulu, HI (North Carolina FC: 2007- 2016)
Played four years at California State University of Fresno, then made his professional debut with California Gold. Then moved to the Syracuse Salty Dogs, and the Sligo Rovers in Ireland. Then coming back to the US he played with the Virginia Beach Mariners and NCFC.
#17 Michael Palacio – Long Beach, NY (North Carolina FC: 2012)
Played at Stony Brook University and was drafted by New York Red Bulls. He then played for the Long Island Rough riders and traveled to Serbia to play with Radnicki Obrenovac. He finished his career with the New York Pancyrprian-Freedoms, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, and NCFC.
#11 Tiyiselani Shipalane – Tzaneen, South Africa (North Carolina FC: 2010, 2012-2018)
Played at Lindsey Wilson College and made his professional debut with the Harrisburg City Islanders. He continued to play with D.C. United, Harrisburg City Islanders, University of Pretoria, NCFC, Baltimore Blast and Wake FC.
#16 Graham Smith — New Hope, PA (North Carolina FC: 2018-2020)
Played at both the University of Pittsburgh and University of South Florida. Played in the Caribbean Club Championship with Central FC, then continued to play with NCFC.
Forwards
#2 Brian Ackley – Cary, NC (North Carolina FC: 2012-2013)
Played at Indiana University and went on to make his professional debut with FK Pribram Czech Republic, NCFC, and the Wilmington Hammerheads.
#18 William Schuler – Hamilton, NJ (North Carolina FC: 2016-2017)
Played at University of North Carolina, then traveled to Sweden for his professional debut with Hammarby IF. He then came back to the US with the San Jose Earthquakes, Whitecaps FC 2, and NCFC.
#21 Brian Shriver – Clearwater, FL (North Carolina FC: 2016-2017)
Played at University of North Carolina and went on to make his professional debut with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. He then went on to play with NCFC, the Jacksonville Armada, and the Richmond Kickers.
For more information on The Soccer Tournament, including schedules, groupings, brackets, results, ticket and streaming information, click here.