Carolina Core FC
Soccer club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carolina Core FC is an American professional soccer team based in High Point, North Carolina. They were founded in 2022 and have participated in MLS Next Pro as an independent team since the 2024 season.
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| Full name | Carolina Core Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | November 10, 2022 | ||
| Stadium | Truist Point High Point, North Carolina | ||
| Capacity | 5,000 | ||
| Owners | Megan Oglesby Matt Penley Mark Penley | ||
| General manager | Eddie Pope | ||
| Head coach | Donovan Ricketts | ||
| League | MLS Next Pro | ||
| Website | https://www.carolinacorefc.com | ||
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History
On November 10, 2022, MLS Next Pro announced that a new independent club from North Carolina would join the league in 2024. The club was to be led by Eddie Pope as its Chief Sporting Director and owned by Megan Oglesby, Matt Penley, and Mark Penley. Their announced home venue, Truist Point, would undergo renovations to increase the seating capacity to 5,000.[1][2][3][4][5]
Carolina ended their inaugural season with 12 wins, 12 losses, and four draws with three penalty shootout victories. Head coach Roy Lassiter was relieved of his duties following the season.[6] He would be replaced by Donovan Ricketts during the offseason.[7]
Players and staff
Current roster
- As of April 5, 2025
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK |  USA |
Nick Holliday (on loan from Crown Legacy FC) |
| 2 | DF | USA |
Charles Orbaugh |
| 3 | DF |  COL |
Santiago Yepes (on loan from Leones F.C.) |
| 4 | DF | USA |
Nolan Evers |
| 6 | MF | USA |
Ricardo Montenengro |
| 7 | DF |  NED |
Tim Zeegers |
| 8 | FW |  ATG |
Drake Hadeed |
| 10 | FW | USA |
Jesus Ibarra |
| 11 | FW |  LBR |
Anthony Sumo Jr. |
| 12 | MF |  TAN |
Alenga Charles |
| 13 | FW |  HON |
Josuha Rodriguez |
| 14 | DF | USA |
Jathan Juarez |
| 15 | FW | USA |
Tony Pineda |
| 16 | MF | USA |
Mohamed Diakite |
| 17 | DF |  ECU |
Jeffrey Caiza |
| 18 | DF | USA |
Dominique Colon |
| 19 | MF | COL |
Mateo Sarimento |
| 20 | MF |  NZL |
Thomas Raimbault |
| 21 | MF | USA |
Nelson Martinez |
| 22 | DF | USA |
Nathan Brown |
| 23 | MF | USA |
Robinson Aguirre |
| 26 | DF |  FRA |
Paul Baptiste Behe Leonardi |
| 31 | GK | USA |
Robert Bailey |
| 44 | GK | USA |
Trevor Jackson |
| 77 | MF |  CHI |
Jonathan Bazaes |
| 80 | MF |  JAM |
Dyllan John |
| 99 | MF | LBR |
Aryeh Miller |
| — | FW | USA |
Khalid Balogun |
| — | DF | USA |
Grayson Rockhill |
Staff
- Eddie Pope – Chief Sporting Officer
- Donovan Ricketts – Head Coach
- Amado Guevara – Assistant Coach
- JC Martinez – Assistant Coach
- Robert Ritchie – Director Of Soccer Operations
