CARY, N.C. (Feb. 22, 2024) – North Carolina FC today announces the acquisition of goalkeeper Antonio Carrera on loan from FC Dallas of Major League Soccer for the entirety of the 2024 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. The acquisition comes on the heels of the historic transfer that sent 18-year-old goalkeeper Nick Holliday to Charlotte FC of MLS last month.
Carrera was signed by FC Dallas to a homegrown MLS contract in January of 2022 and spent the last two seasons with the club’s MLS Next Pro affiliate, North Texas SC. He combined for 35 starts and 3,150 minutes in goal with 130 saves at a 73.65 success rate and seven clean sheets. He was rostered with the first team for various regular season and Leagues Cup matches throughout 2023.
The 6’4” keeper was born in Mexico but raised in Texas and has extensive experience with the United States Youth National Team at the U-15, U-17, U-19, and U-20 levels. He represented the Stars and Stripes at the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup and with the U-19 team at the 2023 Pan American Games.
“We’re extremely excited to bring another young, promising goalkeeper into our group. Antonio has a tremendous skillset and comes from great training environments with both club and the U.S. Youth National Team. This is a chance for him to continue his development and learn from our staff and veteran keepers while helping our team compete at the USL Championship level. We’re proud and grateful the sporting staff at FC Dallas sees the value in our environment,” said NCFC Sporting Director and Head Coach John Bradford.
Carrera becomes the 25th active player on the North Carolina FC roster and the third goalkeeper, joining Jake McGuire and Akira Fitzgerald. Carrera joins preseason camp ahead of the team’s open exhibition match on Saturday, February 17, at 1:00pm ET against Carolina Core FC on Field 7 at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match is free and open to the public for a first glimpse at the defending USL League One champions ahead of their return to the USL Championship.
The 2024 USL Championship season begins on Saturday, March 9, when NCFC hosts a Carolina Clash with the Charleston Battery at 7:00pm ET at WakeMed Soccer Park.
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA FC
North Carolina FC returns to play in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship (USSF Division II) in 2024. North Carolina FC enters its 18th season of competition in 2024, having played in several professional leagues as both North Carolina FC and the Carolina RailHawks. The team won the NASL (USSF Division II) regular season championship in 2011 and 2013 and won the USL League One (USSF Division III) Championship in 2023. Follow North Carolina FC on the web at www.northcarolinafc.com and on social media @NorthCarolinaFC.