2025 North Carolina FC season
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North Carolina FC 2025 soccer season
OwnerStephen Malik
Head coachJohn Bradford
| 2025 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Stephen Malik | ||
| Head coach | John Bradford | ||
| Stadium | First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | ||
| USL Championship | TBD | ||
| USL Championship Playoffs | Conference: 3rd League: 5th | ||
| U.S. Open Cup | Round of 32 | ||
| USL Cup | Group stage | ||
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2026 → | |||
The 2025 North Carolina FC season was the 19th season of the club's existence, and their fifth season in the USL Championship, the second division in the American soccer pyramid, after three years in the USL League One, the third division of the American soccer pyramid. North Carolina was coached by John Bradford, his seventh season with the club, and played their home games at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
- As of March 9, 2025[1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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- ^ USL Academy Contract
Competitions
USL Championship
Main article: 2025 USL Championship season
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville City FC (S) | 30 | 22 | 1 | 7 | 56 | 19 | +37 | 73 | Playoffs |
| 2 | Charleston Battery | 30 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 62 | 32 | +30 | 62 | |
| 3 | North Carolina FC | 30 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 40 | 39 | +1 | 45 | |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (C) | 30 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 32 | 28 | +4 | 44[a] | |
| 5 | Hartford Athletic | 30 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 48 | 36 | +12 | 44[a] |
Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per-game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) Champions; (S) Players' Shield winner
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per-game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) Champions; (S) Players' Shield winner
Notes:
Match results
On December 19, 2024, the USL Championship released the regular season schedule for all 24 teams.[2]
All times are in Eastern Time, unless otherwise indicated.
March
North Carolina FC v Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
| March 8, 2025 (2025-03-08) 1 | North Carolina FC | 1–1 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | Cary, North Carolina |
|
Report | Williams  57' |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,331 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
North Carolina FC v Loudoun United FC
| March 15, 2025 (2025-03-15) 2 | North Carolina FC | 1–2 | Loudoun United FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 8:00 PM EDT | Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park |
FC Tulsa v North Carolina FC
| March 22, 2025 3 | FC Tulsa | 0-1 | North Carolina FC | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| 7:00 PM CDT | Report | Dolabella 82' |
Stadium: ONEOK Field Attendance: 2,931 |
North Carolina FC v Charleston Battery
| March 29, 2025 4 | North Carolina FC | 2–1 | Charleston Battery | Cary, NC |
| Conway 24' Smith 33' (o.g.) |
Report | Jennings 45'+5' (pen.) |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,480 Referee: Natalie Simon |
April
Indy Eleven v North Carolina FC
| April 5, 2025 5 | Indy Eleven | 2–2 | North Carolina FC | Indianapolis, IN |
| 7:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: Carroll Stadium Attendance: 7,017 Referee: Edson Carvajal |
New Mexico United v North Carolina FC
| April 12, 2025 (2025-04-12) 6 | New Mexico United | 1−0 | North Carolina FC | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| 7:00 PM | Report |
|
Stadium: Isotopes Park Attendance: 10,291 Referee: Nabil Bensalah |
Miami FC v North Carolina FC
| April 19, 2025 7 | Miami FC | 2–1 | North Carolina FC | Miami, Florida |
| 7:00 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium Attendance: 1,103 Referee: Atahan Yaya |
May
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC v North Carolina FC
| May 3, 2025 (2025-05-03) 8 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 0–2 | North Carolina FC | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Report | Pérez 66' Dolabella 72' |
Stadium: Highmark Stadium Attendance: 3,808 Referee: Corbyn May |
North Carolina FC v Orange County SC
| May 9, 2025 9 | North Carolina FC | 0–1 | Orange County SC | Cary, North Carolina |
| da Costa 45' |
Report | Stadium: First Horizon Stadium Attendance: 2,788 Referee: Rodrigo Albuquerque |
North Carolina FC v Oakland Roots SC
| May 16, 2025 10 | North Carolina FC | 4–2 | Oakland Roots SC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,736 Referee: Gerald Flores |
June
Hartford Athletic v North Carolina FC
| June 7, 2025 11 | Hartford Athletic | 0–1 | North Carolina FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
Farrell  64'  68' |
Report | Dolabella 90'+4' |
Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 4,320 Referee: Edson Carvajal |
Rhode Island FC v North Carolina FC
| June 14, 2025 12 | Rhode Island FC | 2–1 | North Carolina FC | Pawtucket, RI |
| 7:00PM | Report |
|
Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium Attendance: 7,072 Referee: Elijio Arreguin |
North Carolina FC v Louisville City FC
| June 20, 2025 13 | North Carolina FC | 2–1 | Louisville City FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM | Report |
|
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,479 Referee: Brad Jensen |
July
Charleston Battery v North Carolina FC
| July 6, 2025 14 | Charleston Battery | 1–0 | North Carolina FC | Mount Pleasant, South Carolina |
| Ycaza 40' |
Report | Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex Attendance: 3,260 Referee: Alyssa Nichols |
North Carolina FC v Birmingham Legion FC
| July 11, 2025 (2025-07-11) 15 | North Carolina FC | 2–3 | Birmingham Legion FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 6:30 PM | Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,269 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
North Carolina FC v Indy Eleven
| July 18, 2025 16 | North Carolina FC | 4–2 | Indy Eleven | Cary, NC |
| 7:30 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,383 Referee: Joshua Encarnación |
August
Louisville City FC v North Carolina FC
| August 2, 2025 17 | Louisville City FC | 4–1 | North Carolina FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 8:00 PM |
|
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 9,756 Referee: Gerald Flores |
North Carolina FC v Tampa Bay Rowdies
| August 9, 2025 (2025-08-09) 18 | North Carolina FC | 2–1 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Cary, North Carolina |
| Report | Hilton 23' |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,500 Referee: Muhammad Kaleia |
North Carolina FC v Detroit City FC
| August 15, 2025 (2025-08-15) 19 | North Carolina FC | 1–1 | Detroit City FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| Dolabella 23' |
Report | Smith 62' |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,011 Referee: Christian Campo Hernández |
Las Vegas Lights FC v North Carolina FC
| August 23, 2025 20 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–2 | North Carolina FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 10:30 PM | Gannon 83' |
Report | Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 2,504 Referee: Drew Klemp |
North Carolina FC v Hartford Athletic
| August 30, 2025 (2025-08-30) 21 | North Carolina FC | 2–3 | Hartford Athletic | Cary, North Carolina |
| Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Referee: Amin Hadzic |
September
Lexington SC v North Carolina FC
| September 5, 2025 22 | Lexington SC | 2–1 | North Carolina FC | Lexington, Kentucky |
| 7:00 PM | Report | da Costa 87' |
Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium Attendance: 4,233 Referee: Atahan Yaya |
North Carolina FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| September 12, 2025 (2025-09-12) 23 | North Carolina FC | 1–0 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM | Conway 45'+8' |
Report | Ackwei  14' |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,365 Referee: Joe Surgan |
Tampa Bay Rowdies v North Carolina FC
| September 20, 2025 24 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 2–2 | North Carolina FC | St. Petersburg, Florida |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 5,160 Referee: Corbyn May |
North Carolina FC v Miami FC
| September 26, 2025 (2025-09-26) 25 | North Carolina FC | 1–0 | Miami FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM | Conway 13' |
Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 3,774 Referee: Edson Carvajal |
October
Birmingham Legion FC v North Carolina FC
| October 1, 2025 (2025-10-01) 26 | Birmingham Legion FC | 1–1 | North Carolina FC | Birmingham, Alabama |
| 7:00 PM | Turnbull 90'+6' |
Report | Forbes 32' |
Stadium: Protective Stadium Attendance: 3,935 Referee: Calin Radosav |
Detroit City FC v North Carolina FC
| October 4, 2025 27 | Detroit City FC | 2–0 | North Carolina FC | Hamtramck, MI |
| 4:00 PM EDT | Report | Stadium: Keyworth Stadium Attendance: 6,127 Referee: Mark Verso |
North Carolina FC v Phoenix Rising FC
| October 10, 2025 (2025-10-10) 28 | North Carolina FC | 0–2 | Phoenix Rising FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,526 Referee: Elton García |
North Carolina FC v Rhode Island FC
| October 18, 2025 (2025-10-18) 29 | North Carolina FC | 0−0 | Rhode Island FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 4:00PM | Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 3,586 Referee: Elijio Arreguin |
Loudoun United FC v North Carolina FC
| October 25, 2025 (2025-10-25) 30 | Loudoun United FC | 0–1 | North Carolina FC | Leesburg, Virginia |
| 5:00 PM EDT | Report | Anderson 58' |
Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 4,204 Referee: Brad Jensen |
USL Championship playoffs
Main article: 2025 USL Championship playoffs
As the third seed in the Eastern Conference, North Carolina clinched a playoff spot in the 2025 USL Championship playoffs, being matched up at home against Loudoun United FC.[3] At home, North Carolina scored a quick goal in the sixth minute to clinch a 10 victory at home.[4] In the Conference Semi-Finals, the club is matched up against seventh-seeded Rhode Island FC, the runners-up in the 2024 USL Championship finals.[5]
North Carolina FC v Loudoun United FC
| November 1, 2025 (2025-11-01) Conference Quarter-Finals | North Carolina FC | 1–0 | Loudoun United FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:30 PM ET | Report |
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Stadium: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,005 Referee: Natalie Simon |
North Carolina FC v Rhode Island FC
| November 8, 2025 Conference Semi-Finals | North Carolina FC | 0–2 | Rhode Island FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM ET | Report | Stadium: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,287 Referee: Joshua Encarnación |
USL Cup
Main article: 2025 USL Cup
North Carolina participated in the second edition of the USL Cup, the first edition to feature teams from both the USL Championship and League One.[6][7]
Standings
| Pos | Lg | Team | Pld | W | PKW | PKL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | USL1 | Charlotte Independence | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 9 |
| 3 | USLC | Louisville City FC | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 9 |
| 4 | USLC | Lexington SC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 4 |
| 5 | USLC | North Carolina FC | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 5 |
| 6 | USL1 | Richmond Kickers | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 11 | −10 | 0 |
Group stage
North Carolina FC v Charlotte Independence
| April 25, 2025 (2025-04-25) | North Carolina FC | 1–2 | Charlotte Independence | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Report | Stadium: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,428 Referee: Mark Verso |
Richmond Kickers v North Carolina FC
| May 31, 2025 (2025-05-31) | Richmond Kickers | 0–1 | North Carolina FC | Richmond, Virginia |
| 7:00 PM EDT | Report |
|
Stadium: City Stadium Attendance: 4,753 Referee: Alex Beehler |
Louisville City FC v North Carolina FC
| June 29, 2025 (2025-06-29) | Louisville City FC | 1–0 | North Carolina FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 8:00 PM EDT | Wilson 10' |
Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 7,002 Referee: Jeremy Scheer | |
| Note: Match moved from June 28 to June 29 to accommodate travel issues experienced by North Carolina FC. | ||||
North Carolina FC v Loudoun United FC
| July 25, 2025 (2025-07-25) | North Carolina FC | 1–1 (5–3 p) | Loudoun United FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
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Report |
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Stadium: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 1,602 Referee: John Matto |
| Penalties | ||||
U.S. Open Cup
Main article: 2025 U.S. Open Cup
North Carolina, as a member of the second division USL Championship, entered the U.S. Open Cup in the Third Round based on their performance in the 2024 USL Championship season.[8]
Charlotte Independence (USL1) 
v North Carolina FC (USLC)
v North Carolina FC (USLC)
| April 15, 2025 | Charlotte Independence (USL1) | 1–3 | North Carolina FC (USLC) | Matthews, North Carolina |
| 7:00 p.m. EDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews Attendance: 584 Referee: Danielle Chesney |
North Carolina FC v Charlotte FC
v Charlotte FC
| May 6, 2025 | North Carolina FC | 1–4 (a.e.t.) | Charlotte FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 p.m. EDT | Mentzingen 98' |
Report | Abada 97' Agyemang 104'Petković 119'Vargas 120+3' |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 4,155 Referee: John Matto |
References
- ↑ "North Carolina FC 2025Roster". northcarolinafc.com. North Carolina FC. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ↑ USLSoccer Staff (December 19, 2024). "USL Championship reveals the 2025 season schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
- ↑ USLChampionship Staff (October 26, 2025). "Field for 2025 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix Set". USL Championship. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ↑ Staff Report (November 2, 2025). "Loudoun United's Playoff Season Ends in Quarterfinal Loss". LoudounNow.com. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
- ↑ "Rhode Island FC upsets Charleston Battery to advance in USL Championship playoffs". The Providence Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
- ↑ Lewis, Michael (December 12, 2024). "ANOTHER COMPETITION: USL adds Jägermeister Cup for Championship, League One teams". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ↑ Silverman, Alex (December 12, 2024). "USL expanding Jägermeister Cup to all teams". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ↑ Lewis, Michael (April 17, 2025). "ROUND OF 32 DRAW: For the U.S. Open Cup". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
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