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Cameroonian Striker Donovan Ewolo Returns to North Carolina FC

CARY, N.C. (December 13, 2018) – North Carolina FC striker Donovan Ewolo will return in 2019 on a season-long loan agreement with Czech Republic club MFK Vyskov. The move is pending league and federation approval. A forward with incredible athletic prowess, the club is excited to welcome Ewolo back as he continues his upward trend.
 
Ewolo arrived at North Carolina FC last season as a relatively unknown player. The 22-year-old quickly found his footing and developed into a dangerous attacking threat. Last season, Ewolo scored eight goals and added one assist in 31 appearances and 1,346 minutes played across all competitions. Notably, Ewolo showcased his ability with a four-goal performance against Atlanta United 2 on Sept. 21, 2018 – including a first-half hat trick. 
 
North Carolina FC’s current roster features goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, defenders Aaron Guillen, Steven Miller and DJ Taylor, midfielders Dre Fortune and Graham Smith and forwards Donovan Ewolo and Marios Lomis.
 
NCFC continues to evaluate players from the 2018 roster in preparation for the 2019 season. The team is excited to build off its solid foundation and the start of a new era. A thorough process to find the team’s next head coach is still underway.
 
Season tickets for North Carolina FC’s 2019 season are on sale now and feature many great packages and benefits – including the brand-new Auto-Renewal Program and traditional benefits such as exclusive meet the team opportunities. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.
 
Player Profile:
Name: Donovan Ewolo
Position: Forward
Birthdate: 06/16/96 (Age: 22)
Hometown: Yaounde, Cameroon
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 175 lbs
Citizenship: Cameroon
Previous Club: MFK Vyskov
Transaction: North Carolina FC has agreed to a season-long loan deal with MFK Vyskov for Donovan Ewolo.


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CARY, N.C. (December 13, 2018) – North Carolina FC striker Donovan Ewolo will return in 2019 on a season-long loan agreement with Czech Republic club MFK Vyskov. The move is pending league and federation approval. A forward with incredible athletic prowess, the club is excited to welcome Ewolo back as he continues his upward trend.
 
Ewolo arrived at North Carolina FC last season as a relatively unknown player. The 22-year-old quickly found his footing and developed into a dangerous attacking threat. Last season, Ewolo scored eight goals and added one assist in 31 appearances and 1,346 minutes played across all competitions. Notably, Ewolo showcased his ability with a four-goal performance against Atlanta United 2 on Sept. 21, 2018 – including a first-half hat trick. 
 
North Carolina FC’s current roster features goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, defenders Aaron Guillen, Steven Miller and DJ Taylor, midfielders Dre Fortune and Graham Smith and forwards Donovan Ewolo and Marios Lomis.
 
NCFC continues to evaluate players from the 2018 roster in preparation for the 2019 season. The team is excited to build off its solid foundation and the start of a new era. A thorough process to find the team’s next head coach is still underway.
 
Season tickets for North Carolina FC’s 2019 season are on sale now and feature many great packages and benefits – including the brand-new Auto-Renewal Program and traditional benefits such as exclusive meet the team opportunities. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.
 
Player Profile:
Name: Donovan Ewolo
Position: Forward
Birthdate: 06/16/96 (Age: 22)
Hometown: Yaounde, Cameroon
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 175 lbs
Citizenship: Cameroon
Previous Club: MFK Vyskov
Transaction: North Carolina FC has agreed to a season-long loan deal with MFK Vyskov for Donovan Ewolo.


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North Carolina Football Club Announces 12-Game Ticket Pack

CARY, N.C. (December 11, 2018) – Just in time for the holidays, the North Carolina Football Club is unveiling a special 12-game ticket package. Fans will be able to purchase a 12-pack of tickets redeemable for any North Carolina FC or NC Courage regular season game throughout the 2019 season. 
 
This special offer starts at $149 depending on seating location and there are options available in every section of Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.  
 
The 12-game ticket package is a great opportunity for fans who are not ready to commit to a full season or want to experience select games for both teams as it allows them flexibility when planning their visit to the stadium. Schedules for North Carolina FC and the NC Courage will be unveiled in early 2019.
 
Fans can take advantage of this special offer now, exclusively by calling the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144. 
 
Season tickets for North Carolina FC’s and NC Courage’s 2019 seasons are on sale now and feature many other great packages and benefits – including the brand-new Auto-Renewal Program and traditional benefits such as exclusive meet the team opportunities. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.


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CARY, N.C. (December 11, 2018) – Just in time for the holidays, the North Carolina Football Club is unveiling a special 12-game ticket package. Fans will be able to purchase a 12-pack of tickets redeemable for any North Carolina FC or NC Courage regular season game throughout the 2019 season. 
 
This special offer starts at $149 depending on seating location and there are options available in every section of Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.  
 
The 12-game ticket package is a great opportunity for fans who are not ready to commit to a full season or want to experience select games for both teams as it allows them flexibility when planning their visit to the stadium. Schedules for North Carolina FC and the NC Courage will be unveiled in early 2019.
 
Fans can take advantage of this special offer now, exclusively by calling the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144. 
 
Season tickets for North Carolina FC’s and NC Courage’s 2019 seasons are on sale now and feature many other great packages and benefits – including the brand-new Auto-Renewal Program and traditional benefits such as exclusive meet the team opportunities. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.


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North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame Announces New Inductees

DURHAM, N.C. (December 7, 2018) – The names of the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame’s 2019 inductees have been released.  They are Susan Ellis and John Kerr, Jr. of Chapel Hill and Sandra Serafini of Durham.  Duke University Men’s Soccer Program and the 1996 Greensboro United Soccer Association Navy Capture Girls soccer team will be inducted into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame’s National Champions Hall of Honor. 

The 22nd Annual North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2019, beginning at 6:15 p.m. at the Marriott Winston-Salem Hotel.

SUSAN ELLIS played at the highschool, college and national team levels and now she competes in over-50 leagues. Her passion for playing soccer has led to a career in coaching, where she has successfully coached, taught and mentored thousands of girls of all ages and levels.  A natural athlete, Susan was recruited to play at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  In her freshman year, she helped lead UNC to win the first AIAW National Championship.  With the formation of the NCAA National Championship in her sophomore year, Susan led the Tar Heels to three consecutive national championships, captaining the team in her senior year.  After graduation, she was selected to the USA Women’s National Team in 1984 and coached with the Raleigh Wings professional team, which won USL Division 1 national championships in 1998 and 1999, and with the Carolina Courage professional team, which moved from last place in 2002 to champion in 2003 of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA).  Susan presently teaches and coaches at Durham Academy, where she has led the girls’ team to five conference championships.

JOHN KERR, JR. is a retired soccer midfielder who played professionally in the United States, Canada, England, France and Northern Ireland during a much-traveled and varied playing career.  In 1986, as a member of the Duke University team, John was named the Hermann Award winner as the top collegiate player of the year.  During his four years with the Blue Devils he was a two-time All American. In 1986, the year that he won the Hermann Award, he was the captain of the Duke team that won the NCAA Division 1 national championship, finishing his collegiate career with 42 goals and 43 assists for 127 points, totals that rank fifth, second and third, respectively, all-time at Duke.  He also earned sixteen caps, scoring two goals, with the U.S. national team and is currently head coach of the Duke University men’s soccer team.  The son of Scottish footballer John Kerr, Sr., John won the 1984 James P. McGuire Cup with Montgomery United and in 1986, while playing the collegiate off-season with his father’s Fairfax Spartans, he won the National Amateur Cup.

SANDRA SERAFINI became certified as a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) referee in 1998 and as a National Intercollegiate referee in 1999 and was the first from North Carolina to serve on the FIFA Panel of Women Referees from 2006 – 2009. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, she became certified in Washington State and moved to North Carolina in 2000, where she advanced through the referee ranks and represented North Carolina within the region and nationally at various tournaments and events.  In 2004, Sandra received the NCYSA/NCSRA Adult Referee of the Year Award for outstanding and significant service in officiating youth soccer matches.  She has also been recognized with TISOA’S William Utter Service Award and NISOA’s Regional Referee of the Year Award.  She has officiated multiple college conference finals, NCAA Final Fours, men’s and women’s domestic professional leagues, and international events in North America, Europe, and Asia.  Sandra currently serves with the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and as co-manager of the Development Group.  She served as a Triangle Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (TISOA) board member and Director of Education for several years.

The DUKE UNIVERSITY MEN’S SOCCER PROGRAM began in 1930 and competed in the 1982, 1986 and 1995 national championship games.  Duke defeated the University of Akron 1-0 to win the 1986 NCAA Division 1 national championship title under head coach John Rennie.

The 1996 GREENSBORO UNITED SOCCER ASSOCIATION NAVY CAPTURE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM won the United States Youth Soccer Association Presidents Cup Under-15 Girls national championship in 2012.
 
The North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame was established in 1996 to recognize and honor those persons, either player, coach, referee or administrator, that have made significant contributions to the game of soccer in the State of North Carolina. To be eligible, inductees would have spent several years in North Carolina directly involved in and promoting the game.  Those with primarily regional or national accomplishmentsmay also be considered when those accomplishmentsdraw attention to furthering the game in the State by virtue of their prior relationship in North Carolina.  Through 2018 sixty-three persons have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.  

The National Champions Hall of Honor was established in 2012 by the NC Soccer Hall of Fame to recognize North Carolina soccer teams and programs that have won a national championship at the highest levels of competition in youth, amateur adult, college or professional soccer.  Through 2018 three teams and two programs have been inducted into the Hall of Honor.

North Carolina Soccer Hall Of Fame Contact Information
Bob Kepner, Chairman
Cellular: 919.810.6725, Durham, NC
bobkepner@hpw.com
www.ncsoccerhalloffame.com/
 


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DURHAM, N.C. (December 7, 2018) – The names of the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame’s 2019 inductees have been released.  They are Susan Ellis and John Kerr, Jr. of Chapel Hill and Sandra Serafini of Durham.  Duke University Men’s Soccer Program and the 1996 Greensboro United Soccer Association Navy Capture Girls soccer team will be inducted into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame’s National Champions Hall of Honor. 

The 22nd Annual North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2019, beginning at 6:15 p.m. at the Marriott Winston-Salem Hotel.

SUSAN ELLIS played at the highschool, college and national team levels and now she competes in over-50 leagues. Her passion for playing soccer has led to a career in coaching, where she has successfully coached, taught and mentored thousands of girls of all ages and levels.  A natural athlete, Susan was recruited to play at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  In her freshman year, she helped lead UNC to win the first AIAW National Championship.  With the formation of the NCAA National Championship in her sophomore year, Susan led the Tar Heels to three consecutive national championships, captaining the team in her senior year.  After graduation, she was selected to the USA Women’s National Team in 1984 and coached with the Raleigh Wings professional team, which won USL Division 1 national championships in 1998 and 1999, and with the Carolina Courage professional team, which moved from last place in 2002 to champion in 2003 of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA).  Susan presently teaches and coaches at Durham Academy, where she has led the girls’ team to five conference championships.

JOHN KERR, JR. is a retired soccer midfielder who played professionally in the United States, Canada, England, France and Northern Ireland during a much-traveled and varied playing career.  In 1986, as a member of the Duke University team, John was named the Hermann Award winner as the top collegiate player of the year.  During his four years with the Blue Devils he was a two-time All American. In 1986, the year that he won the Hermann Award, he was the captain of the Duke team that won the NCAA Division 1 national championship, finishing his collegiate career with 42 goals and 43 assists for 127 points, totals that rank fifth, second and third, respectively, all-time at Duke.  He also earned sixteen caps, scoring two goals, with the U.S. national team and is currently head coach of the Duke University men’s soccer team.  The son of Scottish footballer John Kerr, Sr., John won the 1984 James P. McGuire Cup with Montgomery United and in 1986, while playing the collegiate off-season with his father’s Fairfax Spartans, he won the National Amateur Cup.

SANDRA SERAFINI became certified as a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) referee in 1998 and as a National Intercollegiate referee in 1999 and was the first from North Carolina to serve on the FIFA Panel of Women Referees from 2006 – 2009. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, she became certified in Washington State and moved to North Carolina in 2000, where she advanced through the referee ranks and represented North Carolina within the region and nationally at various tournaments and events.  In 2004, Sandra received the NCYSA/NCSRA Adult Referee of the Year Award for outstanding and significant service in officiating youth soccer matches.  She has also been recognized with TISOA’S William Utter Service Award and NISOA’s Regional Referee of the Year Award.  She has officiated multiple college conference finals, NCAA Final Fours, men’s and women’s domestic professional leagues, and international events in North America, Europe, and Asia.  Sandra currently serves with the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and as co-manager of the Development Group.  She served as a Triangle Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (TISOA) board member and Director of Education for several years.

The DUKE UNIVERSITY MEN’S SOCCER PROGRAM began in 1930 and competed in the 1982, 1986 and 1995 national championship games.  Duke defeated the University of Akron 1-0 to win the 1986 NCAA Division 1 national championship title under head coach John Rennie.

The 1996 GREENSBORO UNITED SOCCER ASSOCIATION NAVY CAPTURE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM won the United States Youth Soccer Association Presidents Cup Under-15 Girls national championship in 2012.
 
The North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame was established in 1996 to recognize and honor those persons, either player, coach, referee or administrator, that have made significant contributions to the game of soccer in the State of North Carolina. To be eligible, inductees would have spent several years in North Carolina directly involved in and promoting the game.  Those with primarily regional or national accomplishmentsmay also be considered when those accomplishmentsdraw attention to furthering the game in the State by virtue of their prior relationship in North Carolina.  Through 2018 sixty-three persons have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.  

The National Champions Hall of Honor was established in 2012 by the NC Soccer Hall of Fame to recognize North Carolina soccer teams and programs that have won a national championship at the highest levels of competition in youth, amateur adult, college or professional soccer.  Through 2018 three teams and two programs have been inducted into the Hall of Honor.

North Carolina Soccer Hall Of Fame Contact Information
Bob Kepner, Chairman
Cellular: 919.810.6725, Durham, NC
bobkepner@hpw.com
www.ncsoccerhalloffame.com/
 


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Twenty-Four Players Called To U-17 MNT For 2018 Nike International Friendlies

CHICAGO (Nov. 26, 2018) — Acting U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach Shaun Tsakiris has named a 24-player roster for the annual Nike International Friendlies, to be held at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2. The elite four-team tournament will feature the USA, Brazil, Portugal and Turkey. The USA kicks things off against Portugal on Wednesday, Nov. 28 (6:30 p.m. ET), takes on Turkey on Friday, Nov. 30 (6:30 p.m. ET) and wraps up versus Brazil on Sunday, Dec. 2 (5:30 p.m. ET). 

All tournament matches will be streamed live on ussoccer.com, Facebook and YouTube.

“The Nike International Friendlies are another important opportunity to evaluate players who have done well with their clubs,” Tsakiris said. “The reality of the National Team is that the player pool is constantly being evaluated. High-level games like these provide an invaluable opportunity to see the progress of our players and for them to show us that they deserve to be a part of our group moving forward.”

This year’s Nike International Friendlies will feature players born on or after Jan. 1, 2002, the age cut-off date for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, to be held in Peru in Oct. 2019. It will serve as important preparation as all four nations attempt to qualify for the World Cup next spring.

2018 Nike International Friendlies Roster by Position (Club or College; Hometown; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Trace Alphin (North Carolina FC; Raleigh, N.C.; 0/0), Damian Las (Chicago Fire; Norridge, Ill.; 11/0), Chituru Odunze (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN; Calgary, Alberta; 3/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Axel Alejandre (FC United; Chicago, Ill.; 12/0), Adam Armour (North Carolina FC; Cary, N.C.; 8/0), Sebastian Falsone (Virginia Development Academy; Warrenton, Va.; 0/0), Jonathan Gomez (FC Dallas; Keller, Texas; 0/0), Tayvon Gray (New York City FC; Bronx, N.Y.; 7/0), Kobe Hernandez (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.; 11/1), Mason Judge (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; Tampa, Fla.; 10/0), Joe Scally (New York City FC; Lake Grove, N.Y.; 11/1)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Masango Akale (Minnesota Thunder Academy; Minneapolis, Minn.; 0/0), Andre Luiz Costa (Rayo Vallecano/ESP; Madrid, Spain; 0/0), William Reilly (Atlanta United FC; Decatur, Ga.; 2/0), Giovanni Reyna (Unattached; Bedford, N.Y.; 5/1), Adam Saldana (LA Galaxy; Panorama City, Calif.; 14/1), Peter Stroud (West Ham United/ENG; Chester, N.J.; 12/0)

FORWARDS (7): Cameron Dunbar (LA Galaxy; Chula Vista, Calif.; 0/0), Ruben Hernandez (Club Leon/MEX; Manteca, Calif.; 0/0), Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (Seattle Sounders FC; Kent, Wash.; 12/5), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; McKinney, Texas; 3/0), Daniel Robles (Seattle Sounders FC; White Center, Wash.; 5/0), Alex Villanueva (Seattle Sounders FC; Maple Valley, Wash.; 0/0), Griffin Yow (D.C. United; Clifton, Va.; 3/2)

2018 Nike International Friendlies Schedule

Wednesday, Nov. 28
Turkey vs. Brazil, 3:30 p.m. ET
USA vs. Portugal, 6:30 p.m. ET

Friday, Nov. 30
Portugal vs. Brazil, 3:30 p.m. ET
USA vs. Turkey, 6:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, Dec. 2
Portugal vs. Turkey, 2:30 p.m. ET
USA vs. Brazil, 5:30 p.m. ET

Started in 2001, and adopting their current format in 2008, the Nike International Friendlies were founded to provided top-level competition for the U-17 MNT and stand as one of the premier annual events on the youth soccer calendar. Seven players on the latest senior Men’s National Team roster competed at the Nike International Friendlies: Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Shaq Moore, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Luca de la Torre and Tim Weah, while the event has also seen international talent like Brazil’s Phillipe Coutinho, Neymar and Marcelo and England’s Jadon Sancho pass through the Premier Sports Campus.

The event is held annually in conjunction with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, which brings together every Academy club from across the country for a series of highly-competitive matches. Eighteen players called to the U-17 MNT roster are currently competing in the 2018-19 Academy season, while 22 of 24 have spent time playing in the Academy. 

The USA will seek its first Nike Friendlies title since 2016, when the USA, featuring current MNT players Sargent and Weah, topped the same three teams that will feature in this year’s competition by a combined score of 15-2. The U.S. finished last year’s tournament 0-2-1 as it kicked off the cycle against England, Netherlands and Brazil, capping off the tournament with a spirited 1-1 draw versus the South Americans.

Tsakiris has called in a mix of experienced players and newcomers for the tournament. Sixteen of the 24 players that will represent the USA in Florida have been capped at this level, while eight are participating in their first training camp/event with the U-17s. Three players: goalkeeper Damian Las, defender Axel Alejandre and midfielder Adam Saldana, have appeared in all eight events of the U-17 cycle thus far. 

As the USA prepares for next spring’s 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship, the U-17s have played 14 international games in 2018, compiling an 8-4-2 record. Those results include three international tournaments: the 2018 Sportchain Cup, where the U.S. defeated India and Norway twice each to take home the title, Mexico’s Four Nations Tournament, that featured showdowns with the host, Argentina and Chile as well as England’s U-17 International Tournament, where the USA rallied for late wins against Brazil and Russia to claim second place.

All three of the USA’s opponents are frequent foes at the competition. Brazil has appeared at every edition of the tournament since it assumed its current format in 2008, and also sent teams in 2006 and 2007. Portugal and Turkey have appeared at the competition four of ten times since 2008, tied with England for second-most all-time.

CHICAGO (Nov. 26, 2018) — Acting U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach Shaun Tsakiris has named a 24-player roster for the annual Nike International Friendlies, to be held at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2. The elite four-team tournament will feature the USA, Brazil, Portugal and Turkey. The USA kicks things off against Portugal on Wednesday, Nov. 28 (6:30 p.m. ET), takes on Turkey on Friday, Nov. 30 (6:30 p.m. ET) and wraps up versus Brazil on Sunday, Dec. 2 (5:30 p.m. ET). 

All tournament matches will be streamed live on ussoccer.com, Facebook and YouTube.

“The Nike International Friendlies are another important opportunity to evaluate players who have done well with their clubs,” Tsakiris said. “The reality of the National Team is that the player pool is constantly being evaluated. High-level games like these provide an invaluable opportunity to see the progress of our players and for them to show us that they deserve to be a part of our group moving forward.”

This year’s Nike International Friendlies will feature players born on or after Jan. 1, 2002, the age cut-off date for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, to be held in Peru in Oct. 2019. It will serve as important preparation as all four nations attempt to qualify for the World Cup next spring.

2018 Nike International Friendlies Roster by Position (Club or College; Hometown; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Trace Alphin (North Carolina FC; Raleigh, N.C.; 0/0), Damian Las (Chicago Fire; Norridge, Ill.; 11/0), Chituru Odunze (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN; Calgary, Alberta; 3/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Axel Alejandre (FC United; Chicago, Ill.; 12/0), Adam Armour (North Carolina FC; Cary, N.C.; 8/0), Sebastian Falsone (Virginia Development Academy; Warrenton, Va.; 0/0), Jonathan Gomez (FC Dallas; Keller, Texas; 0/0), Tayvon Gray (New York City FC; Bronx, N.Y.; 7/0), Kobe Hernandez (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.; 11/1), Mason Judge (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; Tampa, Fla.; 10/0), Joe Scally (New York City FC; Lake Grove, N.Y.; 11/1)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Masango Akale (Minnesota Thunder Academy; Minneapolis, Minn.; 0/0), Andre Luiz Costa (Rayo Vallecano/ESP; Madrid, Spain; 0/0), William Reilly (Atlanta United FC; Decatur, Ga.; 2/0), Giovanni Reyna (Unattached; Bedford, N.Y.; 5/1), Adam Saldana (LA Galaxy; Panorama City, Calif.; 14/1), Peter Stroud (West Ham United/ENG; Chester, N.J.; 12/0)

FORWARDS (7): Cameron Dunbar (LA Galaxy; Chula Vista, Calif.; 0/0), Ruben Hernandez (Club Leon/MEX; Manteca, Calif.; 0/0), Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (Seattle Sounders FC; Kent, Wash.; 12/5), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; McKinney, Texas; 3/0), Daniel Robles (Seattle Sounders FC; White Center, Wash.; 5/0), Alex Villanueva (Seattle Sounders FC; Maple Valley, Wash.; 0/0), Griffin Yow (D.C. United; Clifton, Va.; 3/2)

2018 Nike International Friendlies Schedule

Wednesday, Nov. 28
Turkey vs. Brazil, 3:30 p.m. ET
USA vs. Portugal, 6:30 p.m. ET

Friday, Nov. 30
Portugal vs. Brazil, 3:30 p.m. ET
USA vs. Turkey, 6:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, Dec. 2
Portugal vs. Turkey, 2:30 p.m. ET
USA vs. Brazil, 5:30 p.m. ET

Started in 2001, and adopting their current format in 2008, the Nike International Friendlies were founded to provided top-level competition for the U-17 MNT and stand as one of the premier annual events on the youth soccer calendar. Seven players on the latest senior Men’s National Team roster competed at the Nike International Friendlies: Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Shaq Moore, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Luca de la Torre and Tim Weah, while the event has also seen international talent like Brazil’s Phillipe Coutinho, Neymar and Marcelo and England’s Jadon Sancho pass through the Premier Sports Campus.

The event is held annually in conjunction with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, which brings together every Academy club from across the country for a series of highly-competitive matches. Eighteen players called to the U-17 MNT roster are currently competing in the 2018-19 Academy season, while 22 of 24 have spent time playing in the Academy. 

The USA will seek its first Nike Friendlies title since 2016, when the USA, featuring current MNT players Sargent and Weah, topped the same three teams that will feature in this year’s competition by a combined score of 15-2. The U.S. finished last year’s tournament 0-2-1 as it kicked off the cycle against England, Netherlands and Brazil, capping off the tournament with a spirited 1-1 draw versus the South Americans.

Tsakiris has called in a mix of experienced players and newcomers for the tournament. Sixteen of the 24 players that will represent the USA in Florida have been capped at this level, while eight are participating in their first training camp/event with the U-17s. Three players: goalkeeper Damian Las, defender Axel Alejandre and midfielder Adam Saldana, have appeared in all eight events of the U-17 cycle thus far. 

As the USA prepares for next spring’s 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship, the U-17s have played 14 international games in 2018, compiling an 8-4-2 record. Those results include three international tournaments: the 2018 Sportchain Cup, where the U.S. defeated India and Norway twice each to take home the title, Mexico’s Four Nations Tournament, that featured showdowns with the host, Argentina and Chile as well as England’s U-17 International Tournament, where the USA rallied for late wins against Brazil and Russia to claim second place.

All three of the USA’s opponents are frequent foes at the competition. Brazil has appeared at every edition of the tournament since it assumed its current format in 2008, and also sent teams in 2006 and 2007. Portugal and Turkey have appeared at the competition four of ten times since 2008, tied with England for second-most all-time.

North Carolina Football Club Announces Black Friday Deal and North Hills Locker Room Sale Information

CARY, N.C. (November 16, 2018) –The North Carolina Football Club has announced merchandise and ticket offerings for the holiday season, including Black Friday online deals and the return of the North Hills Locker Room Sale.
 
To kick off the holiday shopping season, the North Carolina Football Club online merchandise store will offer a ‘Buy 2 Get 1 Free’ deal on all items in the online store for Black Friday (Friday, November 23).

North Carolina Football Club  Black Friday ticket deals will start on Friday, Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. and run until Monday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.

Offer 1: 4 additional vouchers with season tickets

When you purchase any season ticket package, you will get four additional 2019 single-game ticket vouchers to bring friends and family. These vouchers are good for any North Carolina FC or NC Courage regular season game.

Offer 2:  $99 Home Opener Package

For only $99, get four tickets for three games (12 tickets total), including the North Carolina FC home opener, the NC Courage home opener and any regular-season game prior to July 1, 2019. Both team’s schedules are set to be announced early next year.


Additionally, the club will host the North Hills Locker Room Sale once again, giving fans and consumers a prime opportunity to shop for North Carolina FC and NC Courage merchandise in a retail store with discounts up to 75% off.
 
The club's annual locker room sale will be located at 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd. #112, Raleigh NC, 27609 in the Lassiter District of North Hills next to The Spectacle and a few stores down the row from Quail Ridge Books.
 
The store will be open to the public starting with a grand opening on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be open on select days and times the following two weekends.
 
North Hills Locker Room Sale Schedule:
Thursday, Dec. 6 -5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 7 – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed due to weather)
Friday, Dec. 14 – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 15 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
The club will have a large inventory of North Carolina FC and NC Courage apparel and accessories on sale at discounted rates up to 75% off.

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CARY, N.C. (November 16, 2018) –The North Carolina Football Club has announced merchandise and ticket offerings for the holiday season, including Black Friday online deals and the return of the North Hills Locker Room Sale.
 
To kick off the holiday shopping season, the North Carolina Football Club online merchandise store will offer a ‘Buy 2 Get 1 Free’ deal on all items in the online store for Black Friday (Friday, November 23).

North Carolina Football Club  Black Friday ticket deals will start on Friday, Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. and run until Monday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.

Offer 1: 4 additional vouchers with season tickets

When you purchase any season ticket package, you will get four additional 2019 single-game ticket vouchers to bring friends and family. These vouchers are good for any North Carolina FC or NC Courage regular season game.

Offer 2:  $99 Home Opener Package

For only $99, get four tickets for three games (12 tickets total), including the North Carolina FC home opener, the NC Courage home opener and any regular-season game prior to July 1, 2019. Both team’s schedules are set to be announced early next year.


Additionally, the club will host the North Hills Locker Room Sale once again, giving fans and consumers a prime opportunity to shop for North Carolina FC and NC Courage merchandise in a retail store with discounts up to 75% off.
 
The club’s annual locker room sale will be located at 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd. #112, Raleigh NC, 27609 in the Lassiter District of North Hills next to The Spectacle and a few stores down the row from Quail Ridge Books.
 
The store will be open to the public starting with a grand opening on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be open on select days and times the following two weekends.
 
North Hills Locker Room Sale Schedule:
Thursday, Dec. 6 -5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 7 – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed due to weather)
Friday, Dec. 14 – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 15 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
The club will have a large inventory of North Carolina FC and NC Courage apparel and accessories on sale at discounted rates up to 75% off.

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Early Graduates Highlight National Signing Day for North Carolina Football Club

CARY, N.C. (November 15, 2018)– Yesterday was an important day for North Carolina Football Club – and specifically NCFC Youth. On National Signing Day, the next class of college-bound high school seniors from the largest youth-to-pro club in the country signed National Letters of Intent to continue soccer careers at their respective colleges and universities.
 
Among the standout group heading to the next level, five players are graduating high school early to get a jump start on their athletic and academic careers. Sheldon China Jr., Gabe Mercer, Camryn Dixon, Maggie Pierce and Anna Rockett are set to begin their college careers with the start of the new semester in January. 
 
A trend that is becoming more-and-more common each year, going to college early will give the players a head start on adapting to life as a student athlete and paving the way for a successful freshman season.
 
As NCFC Youth continues to grow, the pipeline of players heading to the next level has also increased. Last year, 77 players signed to play soccer at 46 schools. The 2019 class from NCFC Youth will be finalized and recognized early next year with the celebration of College Signing Night.
 
NCFC Youth Early Graduate Profiles:
 
Sheldon China Jr.
Position: Forward
School: NC State
NCFC Youth Team: NCFC Youth Academy
Hometown: Durham, N.C.
 
Gabe Mercer
Position: Midfielder
School: UNC Wilmington
NCFC Youth Team: NCFC Youth Academy
Hometown: Wake Forest, N.C.
 
Camryn Dixon
Position: Forward
School: South Carolina
NCFC Youth Team: NC Courage Academy
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
 
Maggie Pierce
Position: Midfielder
School: UNC
NCFC Youth Team: NC Courage Academy
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
 
Anna Rockett 
Position: Defender
School: LSU
NCFC Youth Team: NC Courage Academy
Hometown: Cary, N.C.

CARY, N.C. (November 15, 2018)– Yesterday was an important day for North Carolina Football Club – and specifically NCFC Youth. On National Signing Day, the next class of college-bound high school seniors from the largest youth-to-pro club in the country signed National Letters of Intent to continue soccer careers at their respective colleges and universities.
 
Among the standout group heading to the next level, five players are graduating high school early to get a jump start on their athletic and academic careers. Sheldon China Jr., Gabe Mercer, Camryn Dixon, Maggie Pierce and Anna Rockett are set to begin their college careers with the start of the new semester in January. 
 
A trend that is becoming more-and-more common each year, going to college early will give the players a head start on adapting to life as a student athlete and paving the way for a successful freshman season.
 
As NCFC Youth continues to grow, the pipeline of players heading to the next level has also increased. Last year, 77 players signed to play soccer at 46 schools. The 2019 class from NCFC Youth will be finalized and recognized early next year with the celebration of College Signing Night.
 
NCFC Youth Early Graduate Profiles:
 
Sheldon China Jr.
Position: Forward
School: NC State
NCFC Youth Team: NCFC Youth Academy
Hometown: Durham, N.C.
 
Gabe Mercer
Position: Midfielder
School: UNC Wilmington
NCFC Youth Team: NCFC Youth Academy
Hometown: Wake Forest, N.C.
 
Camryn Dixon
Position: Forward
School: South Carolina
NCFC Youth Team: NC Courage Academy
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
 
Maggie Pierce
Position: Midfielder
School: UNC
NCFC Youth Team: NC Courage Academy
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
 
Anna Rockett 
Position: Defender
School: LSU
NCFC Youth Team: NC Courage Academy
Hometown: Cary, N.C.

North Carolina Football Club Talent Featured in NCAA Championship

CARY, N.C. (November 12, 2018) –On Monday afternoon, the NCAA released the 48-team field for the 2018 NCAA Men’s Soccer DI Championship. The North Carolina Football Club’s footprint on the tournament continues to grow, as 11 teams with nearly 50 players from NCFC Youth, NCFC Youth Academy or NCFC U-23 earned a bid to participate in the tournament. Last season, just seven teams with NCFC representation qualified for the tournament.
 
Among the 48 schools competing for a national title, schools close to home are among the most accounted for and highest ranked. The state of North Carolina boasts eight qualifying teams and three nationally-seeded teams – both tournament bests. The list includes: No. 1 Wake Forest, No. 3 UNC, No. 5 Duke, NC State, Charlotte, High Point, Campbell and UNC Wilmington. 
 
The Atlantic Coast Conference also had another impressive season, qualifying a record-tying nine teams into the tournament field.
 
Click here to view the full bracket.
 
Tournament Information
The 48-team field is made up of champions from 24 conferences, who qualified automatically, in addition to 24 teams that were selected at-large. The top 16 teams were seeded and receive first round byes. All first-round games will be played Thursday, Nov. 15, on campus sites, while all second-round action will take place Sunday, Nov. 18. The third round will be played Nov. 24 and 25, while the quarterfinals will be played Nov. 30 or Dec. 1. 
 
The College Cup will be held Dec. 7 and 9 at Harder Stadium on the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara as the championship returns to the West Coast for the first time since 2010. ESPNU will provide live coverage of the semifinals and national championship game.  
 
Teams with North Carolina Football Club ties:
 
No 5. UNC (First Round Bye)
Dom Jenson (NCFC Youth Academy)
Jeremy Kelly (NCFC Youth Academy, former first-team player)
Lucas del Rosario (NCFC Youth Academy)
Alex Rose (NCFC Youth Academy)
Alex Comsia (NCFC U-23)
Dominic Jensen (NCFC U-23)
Alex Moztarzadeh (NCFC U-23)
Drew Murphy (NCFC U-23)
John Nelson (NCFC U-23)
David Mejia (NCFC U-23)
Jelani Pieters (NCFC U-23)
 
No. 6 Duke (First Round Bye)
Colby Agu (NCFC Youth Academy)
Will Pulisic (NCFC U-23)
 
NC State (vs. Campbell, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Nick Retzlaff (NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23)
Vinnie Durand (NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23)
Harry Adanuty(NCFC Youth Academy)
Jose Morales Jr. (NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23)
Manny Perez (NCFC Youth Academy)
Aidan Foster (NCFC Youth Academy)
Bailey O'Connor (NCFC Youth Academy)
James Orozco (NCFC Youth Academy)
Orlin Roque (NCFC Youth Academy)
Christoph Schuneuwly (NCFC U-23)
Clayton Sparks (NCFC U-23)
Ade Taiwo (NCFC U-23)
 
UNCW (vs. Furman, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Ryan Cretens (NCFC Youth Academy)
Ben Fisher (NCFC Youth Academy)
Matt Gianfortone (NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23, former first-team player)
Huntley Munn (NCFC Youth Academy)
Dylan Chain (NCFC Youth Academy)
Jamil Gracia (NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23)
Spencer Saunders (NCFC Youth Academy)
Max Groover (NCFC Youth Academy)
Drew Rabil (NCFC Youth Academy)
 
Charlotte (vs. Georgia State, Nov. 15 7 p.m.)
Maclean Holbrook (NCFC Youth Academy)
Austin Mullins (NCFC Youth Academy)
Delasi Batse (NCFC Youth Academy)
Jeff Petroski (NCFC Youth Academy)
Preston Popp (NCFC Youth Academy)
Dean Rutherford (NCFC U-23)
 
Campbell (at NC State, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Branden Teller (NCFC Youth)
Jack Donovan (TFCA – now NCFC Youth)
Peter Gilder (NCFC Youth)
 
No. 3 Kentucky (First Round Bye)
Jackson Hawthorne (NCFC Youth Academy)
RobertScreen (NCFC Youth Academy)
 
High Point (vs. James Madison, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Ryeong Choi (NCFC U-23)
 
Princeton (at Michigan, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Alex Charles (NCFC Youth Academy)
 
LIU Brooklyn (at West Virginia, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Cole Palmer (NCFC Youth Academy)
 
No. 15 University of Denver (First Round Bye)
William Palmquist (NCFC U-23)

CARY, N.C. (November 12, 2018) –On Monday afternoon, the NCAA released the 48-team field for the 2018 NCAA Men’s Soccer DI Championship. The North Carolina Football Club’s footprint on the tournament continues to grow, as 11 teams with nearly 50 players from NCFC Youth, NCFC Youth Academy or NCFC U-23 earned a bid to participate in the tournament. Last season, just seven teams with NCFC representation qualified for the tournament.
 
Among the 48 schools competing for a national title, schools close to home are among the most accounted for and highest ranked. The state of North Carolina boasts eight qualifying teams and three nationally-seeded teams – both tournament bests. The list includes: No. 1 Wake Forest, No. 3 UNC, No. 5 Duke, NC State, Charlotte, High Point, Campbell and UNC Wilmington. 
 
The Atlantic Coast Conference also had another impressive season, qualifying a record-tying nine teams into the tournament field.
 
Click here to view the full bracket.
 
Tournament Information
The 48-team field is made up of champions from 24 conferences, who qualified automatically, in addition to 24 teams that were selected at-large. The top 16 teams were seeded and receive first round byes. All first-round games will be played Thursday, Nov. 15, on campus sites, while all second-round action will take place Sunday, Nov. 18. The third round will be played Nov. 24 and 25, while the quarterfinals will be played Nov. 30 or Dec. 1. 
 
The College Cup will be held Dec. 7 and 9 at Harder Stadium on the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara as the championship returns to the West Coast for the first time since 2010. ESPNU will provide live coverage of the semifinals and national championship game.  
 
Teams with North Carolina Football Club ties:
 
No 5. UNC (First Round Bye)
Dom Jenson (NCFC Youth Academy)
Jeremy Kelly (NCFC Youth Academy, former first-team player)
Lucas del Rosario (NCFC Youth Academy)
Alex Rose (NCFC Youth Academy)
Alex Comsia (NCFC U-23)
Dominic Jensen (NCFC U-23)
Alex Moztarzadeh (NCFC U-23)
Drew Murphy (NCFC U-23)
John Nelson (NCFC U-23)
David Mejia (NCFC U-23)
Jelani Pieters (NCFC U-23)
 
No. 6 Duke (First Round Bye)
Colby Agu (NCFC Youth Academy)
Will Pulisic (NCFC U-23)
 
NC State (vs. Campbell, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Nick Retzlaff (NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23)
Vinnie Durand (NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23)
Harry Adanuty(NCFC Youth Academy)
Jose Morales Jr. (NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23)
Manny Perez (NCFC Youth Academy)
Aidan Foster (NCFC Youth Academy)
Bailey O’Connor (NCFC Youth Academy)
James Orozco (NCFC Youth Academy)
Orlin Roque (NCFC Youth Academy)
Christoph Schuneuwly (NCFC U-23)
Clayton Sparks (NCFC U-23)
Ade Taiwo (NCFC U-23)
 
UNCW (vs. Furman, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Ryan Cretens (NCFC Youth Academy)
Ben Fisher (NCFC Youth Academy)
Matt Gianfortone (NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23, former first-team player)
Huntley Munn (NCFC Youth Academy)
Dylan Chain (NCFC Youth Academy)
Jamil Gracia (NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23)
Spencer Saunders (NCFC Youth Academy)
Max Groover (NCFC Youth Academy)
Drew Rabil (NCFC Youth Academy)
 
Charlotte (vs. Georgia State, Nov. 15 7 p.m.)
Maclean Holbrook (NCFC Youth Academy)
Austin Mullins (NCFC Youth Academy)
Delasi Batse (NCFC Youth Academy)
Jeff Petroski (NCFC Youth Academy)
Preston Popp (NCFC Youth Academy)
Dean Rutherford (NCFC U-23)
 
Campbell (at NC State, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Branden Teller (NCFC Youth)
Jack Donovan (TFCA – now NCFC Youth)
Peter Gilder (NCFC Youth)
 
No. 3 Kentucky (First Round Bye)
Jackson Hawthorne (NCFC Youth Academy)
RobertScreen (NCFC Youth Academy)
 
High Point (vs. James Madison, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Ryeong Choi (NCFC U-23)
 
Princeton (at Michigan, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Alex Charles (NCFC Youth Academy)
 
LIU Brooklyn (at West Virginia, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.)
Cole Palmer (NCFC Youth Academy)
 
No. 15 University of Denver (First Round Bye)
William Palmquist (NCFC U-23)

Rios, Bekker Selected to 2018 USL All-League Teams

TAMPA, Fla. (November 5, 2018)– Standout performers from the 2018 USL regular season were honored on Monday as the United Soccer League announced Daniel Rios was named to the All-League First Team and Kyle Bekker made the All-League Second Team.
 
The 2018 USL All-League Team was voted on by club management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market.
 
Rios had a standout season as NCFC’s most reliable attacking option. The loanee from Chivas Guadalajara tied the club record for most goals scored in a regular season with 20 goals, matching Etienne Barbara’s total from 2011. His 20 goals ranked tied for second in the league standings, while he also contributed four assists. 
 
Bekker notched a club record of his own for the most assists in the regular season. Bekker’s 13 assists surpassed the previous record of 10 set by Nazmi Albadawi in 2016. He also scored seven goals during his standout season in the midfield. 
 
The finalists for the 2018 USL Awards will be announced on Tuesday, preceding the 2018 USL Cup, which will air live on ESPN2 and the WatchESPN app in the United States and be broadcast globally in more than 50 countries on ESPN International on Thursday, November 8 at 8 p.m. ET as Eastern Conference champion and defending USL Cup champion Louisville City FC faces Western Conference champion Phoenix Rising FC and legendary forward Didier Drogba at Lynn Stadium in Louisville, Ky.
 
North Carolina FC is busy preparing for a successful 2019 season. Season tickets for the upcoming campaign are on sale now and feature many great packages and benefits. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.
 
2018 USL All-League First Team
GK – Maxime Crepeau, Ottawa Fury FC: Crepeau set a USL regular-season record with 15 shutouts as he recorded 82 saves across 31 appearances for a 72.6 save percentage.
 
D – Paco Craig, Louisville City FC: Craig finished second among defenders with 239 duels won at a success rate of 66.8 percent and ranked in the top five among defenders with 133 aerials and 171 possession recoveries. 
 
D – Joe Greenspan, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Greenspan led a Hounds defense that tied the USL regular-season record with 17 shutouts, posting 176 clearances while winning 67.1 percent of duels and 76.2 percent of aerial duels over the season.
 
D – Forrest Lasso, FC Cincinnati: Lasso led the league with 223 clearances while finishing second in the league with 32 blocked shots and 172 aerials at an 82.7 percent success rate.
 
M – Tah Anunga, Charleston Battery: Anunga was dynamic in the center of the Battery’s midfield, leading outfield players with 308 possession recoveries, finishing second with 72 tackles won, while posting an 83.51 passing accuracy rate on 52.58 passes per 90 minutes.
 
M – Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC: Asante recorded 13 goals and eight assists to lead Rising FC to a top-three finish in the Western Conference, while also finishing third in the league in chances created (98) and fourth in chances created from open play (56).
 
M – Emmanuel Ledesma, FC Cincinnati: Ledesma set a single-season record with 16 assists in the regular season, and with 16 goals also became the first player in the USL’s history to record at least 15 goals and 15 assists in the same campaign.
 
M – Aodhan Quinn, Orange County SC: Quinn played every minute of the regular season to lead OCSC to a first-place finish as he recorded 11 goals and 14 assists while leading the league with 103 chances created and finished second among outfield players with 289 possession recoveries.
 
F – Thomas Enevoldsen, Orange County SC: Enevoldsen finished tied for second in the league with 20 goals at a chance conversion rate of 28.99 percent, while also recording nine assists and 63 chances created as he played every minute of the regular season.
 
F – Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC: Lancaster set a USL single-season record with 25 goals to claim the USL Golden Boot and scored at a rate of a goal every 80.16 minutes while registering seven of his tallies from outside the penalty area.
 
F – Daniel Rios, North Carolina FC: Rios recorded 20 goals to finish tied for second in the league and did so at a chance conversion rate of 32.79 percent, the highest of any player to record at least 15 goals in the regular season as he averaged a goal every 111.05 minutes. 
 
 
2018 USL All-League Second Team
GK – Josh Cohen, Sacramento Republic FC: Cohen recorded 117 saves, second-most in the league, at a league-leading save percentage of 78.52 among goalkeepers with at least 40 saves. Playing every minute of the season, Cohen registered 12 shutouts and a 0.94 goals-against average.
 
D – Ayoze, Indy Eleven: Ayoze helped lead the Eleven to a postseason berth in its first season in the league with a club-best eight assists and 57 chances created, while also chipping in four goals and recording a 36.36 percent accuracy rate on crosses.

D – Darnell King, San Antonio FC: King showed off a well-rounded game in his first season with SAFC, finishing the season with five assists and 24 chances created while recording 170 possession recoveries, 69 interceptions and 127 clearances, all of which led San Antonio defensively.
 
D – Denso Ulysse, Seattle Sounders FC 2: A selection to the 2018 USL 20 Under 20, Ulysse put together a strong second season with S2 that saw him finish tied for third in the league with 78 interceptions and also record 20 chances created.
 
M – Kyle Bekker, North Carolina FC: Bekker finished tied for third in the league with 13 assists and recorded 63 chances created for NCFC while also registering an 81.01 percent accuracy rate on 48.31 passes per 90 minutes.
 
M – Corben Bone, FC Cincinnati: Bone recorded 11 goals and four assists to help lead Cincinnati to the 2018 USL Regular Season Championship, while also recording an 83.78 passing accuracy rate and 38 chances created from open play in the regular season.
 
M – Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Forbes led the Hounds with eight assists and notched four goals but also showed off his two-way abilities with 285 possession recoveries – third among outfield players – and 50 interceptions.
 
M – Lebo Moloto, Nashville SC:Moloto recorded seven goals and five assists to help Nashville claim a postseason berth in its first professional season and registered 51 chances created and an 80.79 passing accuracy rate on 44.1 passes per 90 minutes.
 
F – Hadji Barry, Swope Park Rangers:Barry set a new single-season record for the Rangers with 17 regular-season goals and set a league record with a streak of eight consecutive games with a goal to help lead the club back to the postseason. 

F – Ataulla Guerra, Charleston Battery: Guerra led the Battery with 15 goals and also notched five assists alongside 32 chances created from open play to help lead Charleston back to the USL Cup Playoffs for an eighth consecutive season.
 
F – Cameron Iwasa, Sacramento Republic FC: Iwasa recorded 17 goals and six assists for Republic FC, setting a single-season scoring record for the club while also becoming its all-time leading scorer as it took a second-place finish in the Western Conference.

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TAMPA, Fla. (November 5, 2018)– Standout performers from the 2018 USL regular season were honored on Monday as the United Soccer League announced Daniel Rios was named to the All-League First Team and Kyle Bekker made the All-League Second Team.
 
The 2018 USL All-League Team was voted on by club management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market.
 
Rios had a standout season as NCFC’s most reliable attacking option. The loanee from Chivas Guadalajara tied the club record for most goals scored in a regular season with 20 goals, matching Etienne Barbara’s total from 2011. His 20 goals ranked tied for second in the league standings, while he also contributed four assists. 
 
Bekker notched a club record of his own for the most assists in the regular season. Bekker’s 13 assists surpassed the previous record of 10 set by Nazmi Albadawi in 2016. He also scored seven goals during his standout season in the midfield. 
 
The finalists for the 2018 USL Awards will be announced on Tuesday, preceding the 2018 USL Cup, which will air live on ESPN2 and the WatchESPN app in the United States and be broadcast globally in more than 50 countries on ESPN International on Thursday, November 8 at 8 p.m. ET as Eastern Conference champion and defending USL Cup champion Louisville City FC faces Western Conference champion Phoenix Rising FC and legendary forward Didier Drogba at Lynn Stadium in Louisville, Ky.
 
North Carolina FC is busy preparing for a successful 2019 season. Season tickets for the upcoming campaign are on sale now and feature many great packages and benefits. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.
 
2018 USL All-League First Team
GK – Maxime Crepeau, Ottawa Fury FC: Crepeau set a USL regular-season record with 15 shutouts as he recorded 82 saves across 31 appearances for a 72.6 save percentage.
 
D – Paco Craig, Louisville City FC: Craig finished second among defenders with 239 duels won at a success rate of 66.8 percent and ranked in the top five among defenders with 133 aerials and 171 possession recoveries. 
 
D – Joe Greenspan, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Greenspan led a Hounds defense that tied the USL regular-season record with 17 shutouts, posting 176 clearances while winning 67.1 percent of duels and 76.2 percent of aerial duels over the season.
 
D – Forrest Lasso, FC Cincinnati: Lasso led the league with 223 clearances while finishing second in the league with 32 blocked shots and 172 aerials at an 82.7 percent success rate.
 
M – Tah Anunga, Charleston Battery: Anunga was dynamic in the center of the Battery’s midfield, leading outfield players with 308 possession recoveries, finishing second with 72 tackles won, while posting an 83.51 passing accuracy rate on 52.58 passes per 90 minutes.
 
M – Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC: Asante recorded 13 goals and eight assists to lead Rising FC to a top-three finish in the Western Conference, while also finishing third in the league in chances created (98) and fourth in chances created from open play (56).
 
M – Emmanuel Ledesma, FC Cincinnati: Ledesma set a single-season record with 16 assists in the regular season, and with 16 goals also became the first player in the USL’s history to record at least 15 goals and 15 assists in the same campaign.
 
M – Aodhan Quinn, Orange County SC: Quinn played every minute of the regular season to lead OCSC to a first-place finish as he recorded 11 goals and 14 assists while leading the league with 103 chances created and finished second among outfield players with 289 possession recoveries.
 
F – Thomas Enevoldsen, Orange County SC: Enevoldsen finished tied for second in the league with 20 goals at a chance conversion rate of 28.99 percent, while also recording nine assists and 63 chances created as he played every minute of the regular season.
 
F – Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC: Lancaster set a USL single-season record with 25 goals to claim the USL Golden Boot and scored at a rate of a goal every 80.16 minutes while registering seven of his tallies from outside the penalty area.
 
F – Daniel Rios, North Carolina FC: Rios recorded 20 goals to finish tied for second in the league and did so at a chance conversion rate of 32.79 percent, the highest of any player to record at least 15 goals in the regular season as he averaged a goal every 111.05 minutes. 
 
 
2018 USL All-League Second Team
GK – Josh Cohen, Sacramento Republic FC: Cohen recorded 117 saves, second-most in the league, at a league-leading save percentage of 78.52 among goalkeepers with at least 40 saves. Playing every minute of the season, Cohen registered 12 shutouts and a 0.94 goals-against average.
 
D – Ayoze, Indy Eleven: Ayoze helped lead the Eleven to a postseason berth in its first season in the league with a club-best eight assists and 57 chances created, while also chipping in four goals and recording a 36.36 percent accuracy rate on crosses.

D – Darnell King, San Antonio FC: King showed off a well-rounded game in his first season with SAFC, finishing the season with five assists and 24 chances created while recording 170 possession recoveries, 69 interceptions and 127 clearances, all of which led San Antonio defensively.
 
D – Denso Ulysse, Seattle Sounders FC 2: A selection to the 2018 USL 20 Under 20, Ulysse put together a strong second season with S2 that saw him finish tied for third in the league with 78 interceptions and also record 20 chances created.
 
M – Kyle Bekker, North Carolina FC: Bekker finished tied for third in the league with 13 assists and recorded 63 chances created for NCFC while also registering an 81.01 percent accuracy rate on 48.31 passes per 90 minutes.
 
M – Corben Bone, FC Cincinnati: Bone recorded 11 goals and four assists to help lead Cincinnati to the 2018 USL Regular Season Championship, while also recording an 83.78 passing accuracy rate and 38 chances created from open play in the regular season.
 
M – Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Forbes led the Hounds with eight assists and notched four goals but also showed off his two-way abilities with 285 possession recoveries – third among outfield players – and 50 interceptions.
 
M – Lebo Moloto, Nashville SC:Moloto recorded seven goals and five assists to help Nashville claim a postseason berth in its first professional season and registered 51 chances created and an 80.79 passing accuracy rate on 44.1 passes per 90 minutes.
 
F – Hadji Barry, Swope Park Rangers:Barry set a new single-season record for the Rangers with 17 regular-season goals and set a league record with a streak of eight consecutive games with a goal to help lead the club back to the postseason. 

F – Ataulla Guerra, Charleston Battery: Guerra led the Battery with 15 goals and also notched five assists alongside 32 chances created from open play to help lead Charleston back to the USL Cup Playoffs for an eighth consecutive season.
 
F – Cameron Iwasa, Sacramento Republic FC: Iwasa recorded 17 goals and six assists for Republic FC, setting a single-season scoring record for the club while also becoming its all-time leading scorer as it took a second-place finish in the Western Conference.

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North Carolina FC Picks Up Contract Options on Five Key Players

CARY, N.C. (November 2, 2018) –In North Carolina FC’s first set of roster moves ahead of the 2019 season, the team has picked up options on five key players. Aaron Guillen, Steven Miller, Graham Smith, Alex Tambakis and DJ Taylor will return to the club, pending league and federation approval.
 
The signings bring back an exciting core of talented players that all held starting roles in 2018. Each player logged at least 2,100 minutes during the USL campaign.
 
NCFC continues to evaluate players currently under option, as the club prepares for the 2019 season.
 
Aaron Guillen was one the team’s breakout stars in 2018. The young defender logged the busiest season of his professional career and played 2,181 minutes in 26 league matches. The El Paso, Texas, native was also voted as the team’s Defensive Player of the Year and logged 95 clearances, 46 interceptions, 26 won tackles, 100 won duels and a team-high 16 blocked shots.
 
Fellow defender and emerging star DJ Taylor will also be back with NCFC for another season. The local product came through the NCFC Youth Academy and is part of the club’s growing youth-to-professional pipeline. Taylor was a reliable member of NCFC’s defense and played 2,742 minutes in 32 league matches last year. He also contributed 97 clearances, 48 interceptions, 48 won tackles, 145 won duels and 10 blocked shots.
 
Steven Miller anchors the first group of signings with experience and talent. The versatile playmaker will return to NCFC for his fourth full season with the club. In 2018, the fan favorite once again starred as a midfielder and defender throughout the season. He led the team with 162 won duels and ranked second with 49 key passes. In total, Miller played in 33 games and logged 2,742 minutes. The Elkin Park, Penn., native also scored four goals and chipped in seven assists. 
 
Rookie midfielder Graham Smith will also be back with NCFC for 2019. Smith broke onto the scene after coming through the club’s combine and preseason trial process. The midfielder made an immediate impact and played 2,788 minutes – the most of any field player for NCFC in 2018. Occupying the defensive midfield role, Smith recorded 39 interceptions, 150 won duels and a team-high 56 won tackles. Smith’s 87.9-percent passing accuracy was also highest on the team.
 
Alex Tambakis returns as the club’s starting goalkeeper. The Greek shot-stopper played in all but one regular-season USL matchup, totaling 33 matches and 2,970 minutes. He made 95 saves and earned seven shutouts. His season was also highlighted with league respect after his playmaking abilities won him the USL Save of the Month contest in April, June, July and October. 
 
Season tickets for North Carolina FC’s 2019 season are on sale now and feature many great packages and benefits. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.
 

 
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CARY, N.C. (November 2, 2018) –In North Carolina FC’s first set of roster moves ahead of the 2019 season, the team has picked up options on five key players. Aaron Guillen, Steven Miller, Graham Smith, Alex Tambakis and DJ Taylor will return to the club, pending league and federation approval.
 
The signings bring back an exciting core of talented players that all held starting roles in 2018. Each player logged at least 2,100 minutes during the USL campaign.
 
NCFC continues to evaluate players currently under option, as the club prepares for the 2019 season.
 
Aaron Guillen was one the team’s breakout stars in 2018. The young defender logged the busiest season of his professional career and played 2,181 minutes in 26 league matches. The El Paso, Texas, native was also voted as the team’s Defensive Player of the Year and logged 95 clearances, 46 interceptions, 26 won tackles, 100 won duels and a team-high 16 blocked shots.
 
Fellow defender and emerging star DJ Taylor will also be back with NCFC for another season. The local product came through the NCFC Youth Academy and is part of the club’s growing youth-to-professional pipeline. Taylor was a reliable member of NCFC’s defense and played 2,742 minutes in 32 league matches last year. He also contributed 97 clearances, 48 interceptions, 48 won tackles, 145 won duels and 10 blocked shots.
 
Steven Miller anchors the first group of signings with experience and talent. The versatile playmaker will return to NCFC for his fourth full season with the club. In 2018, the fan favorite once again starred as a midfielder and defender throughout the season. He led the team with 162 won duels and ranked second with 49 key passes. In total, Miller played in 33 games and logged 2,742 minutes. The Elkin Park, Penn., native also scored four goals and chipped in seven assists. 
 
Rookie midfielder Graham Smith will also be back with NCFC for 2019. Smith broke onto the scene after coming through the club’s combine and preseason trial process. The midfielder made an immediate impact and played 2,788 minutes – the most of any field player for NCFC in 2018. Occupying the defensive midfield role, Smith recorded 39 interceptions, 150 won duels and a team-high 56 won tackles. Smith’s 87.9-percent passing accuracy was also highest on the team.
 
Alex Tambakis returns as the club’s starting goalkeeper. The Greek shot-stopper played in all but one regular-season USL matchup, totaling 33 matches and 2,970 minutes. He made 95 saves and earned seven shutouts. His season was also highlighted with league respect after his playmaking abilities won him the USL Save of the Month contest in April, June, July and October. 
 
Season tickets for North Carolina FC’s 2019 season are on sale now and feature many great packages and benefits. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.
 

 
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North Carolina FC Announces 2018 Team Awards

CARY, N.C. (October 18, 2018) – North Carolina FC has announced 2018 team awards as voted on by teammates and technical staff. North Carolina FC has named the Team MVP, Offensive MVP, Defensive MVP, Leadership Award, Summit Hospitality Community Service Award and the Select Physical Therapy Comeback Player of the Year Award.
 
Daniel Rios was named the Team MVP and Offensive MVP following a season where he netted 20 goals and added four assists. The number tied the club record for most goals in a single season, previously set by Etienne Barbara in 2011. The loanee from Chivas Guadalajara also totaled 2,221 minutes in 31 games played. 
 
Aaron Guillen earned the Defensive MVP award following a breakout season on the backline. After earning a spot in the starting lineup, the young defender was a mainstay in the back. He totaled 2,181 minutes in 26 appearances. The El Paso, Texas, native also added 95 clearances, 46 interceptions, 26 won tackles, 100 won duels and a team-high 16 blocked shots.
 
Fellow defender and team co-captain Connor Tobin earned the club’s Leadership Award.The center back was a team leader on and off the field. In addition to sharing captain duties with Austin da Luz, Tobin has always been a key leader for the club in community involvement and fan engagement. Tobin helped anchor the backline and logged 1,845 minutes in 21 appearances.
 
In addition, Tobin was also selected as the Select Physical Therapy Comeback Player of the Year. After missing the opening stretch of the season with a right calf strain, Tobin worked his way back on the field. He recorded 96 won duels, 85 clearances, 37 interceptions, 16 won tackles, 12 blocked shots and one goal.
 
The Summit Hospitality Community Service Award went to Tobin and da Luz for the second-straight season. The co-recipients went beyond the required effort and were pillars in the community all season long. Each player finished top-three on the team in appearances, along with team leader Steven Miller. Additionally, each player once again captained their own respective charity efforts.
 
Tobin helped orchestrate another successful season of the Oak City Classic at Raleighwood, which raised money for local nonprofits Oak City Soccer and Neighbor to Neighbor. The event surpassed its 2017 totals and rallied 176 participants together and more than tripled its contributions to local charities.
 
Da Luz’s Playing For Pride campaign also reached new heights with unprecedented growth. While partnering with Athlete Ally, da Luz saw a significant increase in participation as more than 110 soccer players and countless fans joined in to raise nearly $25,000 for LGBTQ rights in the month of June. 
 
North Carolina FC has wrapped up its 2018 season. The team finished the year as Southern Derby Cup Champions and will turn its focus to building the foundation for a successful season in 2019.

 
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CARY, N.C. (October 18, 2018) – North Carolina FC has announced 2018 team awards as voted on by teammates and technical staff. North Carolina FC has named the Team MVP, Offensive MVP, Defensive MVP, Leadership Award, Summit Hospitality Community Service Award and the Select Physical Therapy Comeback Player of the Year Award.
 
Daniel Rios was named the Team MVP and Offensive MVP following a season where he netted 20 goals and added four assists. The number tied the club record for most goals in a single season, previously set by Etienne Barbara in 2011. The loanee from Chivas Guadalajara also totaled 2,221 minutes in 31 games played. 
 
Aaron Guillen earned the Defensive MVP award following a breakout season on the backline. After earning a spot in the starting lineup, the young defender was a mainstay in the back. He totaled 2,181 minutes in 26 appearances. The El Paso, Texas, native also added 95 clearances, 46 interceptions, 26 won tackles, 100 won duels and a team-high 16 blocked shots.
 
Fellow defender and team co-captain Connor Tobin earned the club’s Leadership Award.The center back was a team leader on and off the field. In addition to sharing captain duties with Austin da Luz, Tobin has always been a key leader for the club in community involvement and fan engagement. Tobin helped anchor the backline and logged 1,845 minutes in 21 appearances.
 
In addition, Tobin was also selected as the Select Physical Therapy Comeback Player of the Year. After missing the opening stretch of the season with a right calf strain, Tobin worked his way back on the field. He recorded 96 won duels, 85 clearances, 37 interceptions, 16 won tackles, 12 blocked shots and one goal.
 
The Summit Hospitality Community Service Award went to Tobin and da Luz for the second-straight season. The co-recipients went beyond the required effort and were pillars in the community all season long. Each player finished top-three on the team in appearances, along with team leader Steven Miller. Additionally, each player once again captained their own respective charity efforts.
 
Tobin helped orchestrate another successful season of the Oak City Classic at Raleighwood, which raised money for local nonprofits Oak City Soccer and Neighbor to Neighbor. The event surpassed its 2017 totals and rallied 176 participants together and more than tripled its contributions to local charities.
 
Da Luz’s Playing For Pride campaign also reached new heights with unprecedented growth. While partnering with Athlete Ally, da Luz saw a significant increase in participation as more than 110 soccer players and countless fans joined in to raise nearly $25,000 for LGBTQ rights in the month of June. 
 
North Carolina FC has wrapped up its 2018 season. The team finished the year as Southern Derby Cup Champions and will turn its focus to building the foundation for a successful season in 2019.

 
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