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Carolina Ascent FC

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Carolina Ascent FC
FoundedMay 16, 2023; 3 years ago (2023-05-16)
StadiumAmerican Legion Memorial Stadium
Capacity10,500
Head coachPhilip Poole
LeagueUSL Super League
2025–26
  • USL Super League, 3rd of 9
  • Playoffs: Runners-up
Websitewww.carolinaascent.com
Current season

Carolina Ascent Football Club is an American professional women's soccer club based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that competes in the USL Super League (USLS). The club also features an affiliate team in the USL W League (USLW), which began play in summer 2024.

History

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Charlotte was named as one of the eight team locations in the USL Super League on May 16, 2023.[1] The team name was announced on March 21, 2024.[2] The Ascent named USWNT assistant coach, Philip Poole, as the head coach in January 2024.[3]

The club announced its plans for a USL W League affiliate on December 13, 2023.[4] The team follows the Charlotte Independence women's team which featured in the 2022 and 2023 W League seasons.[5] Erika Duncan, who was an assistant coach with the W League's Charlotte Independence during its two seasons, served as the W League team's inaugural head coach for the 2024 W League season before transitioning to her role as assistant coach for the Super League team.[6]

Inaugural season

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Carolina played in the inaugural match of the USL Super League, where Vicky Bruce scored the league's and the club's first-ever goal. Renee Guion also become the first player in the league to receive a yellow card. Carolina secured a 1-0 victory against DC Power FC. During their second game, Carolina tied 1-1 against Lexington SC.

Sponsorship

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Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor (front) Shirt sponsor (back) Sleeve sponsor Ref.
2024–present Capelli Sport Nucor Novant Health N/A [7]

Players and staff

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Current roster

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As of August 8, 2026[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
0 GK  USA Hope Hisey
2 DF  USA Reese Tappan
4 FW  USA Ava Cook
5 DF  USA Jenna Butler
7 DF  PUR Jill Aguilera
8 DF  USA Emily Moxley
9 FW  USA Mia Corbin
10 FW  USA Rylee Baisden
11 FW  BRA Luana Grabias
12 DF  USA Sydney Studer
13 DF  USA Addisyn Merrick
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 MF  USA Taylor Porter (captain)
15 GK  PUR Sydney Martinez
18 FW  USA Audrey Coleman
19 DF  USA Meaghan Nally
20 MF  USA Shea Groom
22 MF  ENG B Hylton
23 FW  USA Riley Parker
24 MF  USA Emily Morris
28 MF  USA Lily Nabet
31 FW  USA Mackenzie George
70 FW  USA Stella Spitzer

Former players

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For details of former players, see Category:Carolina Ascent FC players and List of Carolina Ascent FC players.

Staff

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As of August 9, 2024*

Front office
Position Name
CEO & Managing Partner United States Jim McPhilliamy
Technical staff
Head Coach United States Philip Poole

Honors

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Records

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Year-by-year

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First team

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As of April 20, 2025
Season League Division Regular season Playoffs
P W D L GF GA GD Pts. Pos.
USL WSouth Atlantic 127143610+26223rd Did not qualify
2024–25 USL Super League - 24 12 7 5 38 19 +19 43 1st Semifinals

Second team

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Season League Division Regular season Playoffs
P W D L GF GA GD Pts. Pos.
USL WSouth Atlantic 115243023+7175th Did not qualify
USL WSouth Atlantic 104151519–4134th Did not qualify

Team records

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As of June 4, 2026.[9][10] Current players in bold. Statistics are updated once a year after the conclusion of the USL Super League season.
Most appearances
Player Appearances
# Name Nat. Pos. Ascent career USLS Playoffs Total
1 Jill Aguilera Puerto Rico DF 2024– 55 3 58
Taylor Porter United States MF 2024– 55 3 58
3 Mia Corbin United States FW 2024– 54 3 57
4 Audrey Coleman United States FW 2024– 46 3 49
5 Sydney Studer United States DF 2024– 44 1 45
6 Rylee Baisden United States FW 2024– 43 1 44
Jenna Butler United States DF 2025– 41 3 44
8 Riley Parker United States FW 2025– 40 3 43
9 Addisyn Merrick United States DF 2024– 33 3 36
10 Meagan McClelland United States GK 2024– 34 0 34
Top goalscorers
Player Goals scored
# Name Nat. Pos. Ascent career USLS Playoffs Total
1 Mia Corbin United States FW 2024– 16 1 17
2 Audrey Coleman United States FW 2024– 7 0 7
3 Jill Aguilera Puerto Rico DF 2024– 6 0 6
Rylee Baisden United States FW 2024– 6 0 6
5 Eli Hutchinson Israel FW 2024–2025 5 0 5
6 Sydney Studer United States DF 2024– 4 0 4
Mackenzie George United States FW 2025– 3 1 4
Tyler Lussi United States FW 2026– 4 0 4
Maddie Mercado United States MF 2025 4 0 4

References

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  1. ↑ Spanberg, Erik (May 16, 2023). "Why Dan DiMicco is backing addition of women's pro team to Charlotte Independence roster". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  2. ↑ Puente, Nathaniel (March 21, 2024). "Carolina Ascent FC chosen as name for Charlotte women's pro soccer team". WCNC. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Philip Poole named Super League Carolina's head coach". www.thecharlottepost.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Super League Carolina Announces USL W League Team and Tryout Date for 2024". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  5. ↑ Mahoney, Ashley (May 16, 2023). "New women's professional soccer team coming to Charlotte". axios.com. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Super League Carolina Welcomes Assistant Coach, Erika Duncan". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Carolina Ascent FC Welcomes Novant Health as Official Healthcare Provider". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Roster Archive". Carolina Ascent FC.
  9. ↑ "Summary - Carolina Ascent - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Carolina Ascent FC Player Stats". USL Super League. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
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