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2025–26 Carolina Ascent FC season

Carolina Ascent FC
2025–26 season
Head coachPhillip Poole
StadiumAmerican Legion Memorial Stadium

The 2025–26 Carolina Ascent FC season is the team's second season as a professional women's soccer team in the USL Super League (USLS), one of two leagues to be in the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

Background

See also: 2024–25 Carolina Ascent FC season

In the 2024–25 campaign, the Ascent topped the inaugural USL Super League table and claimed the league's first-ever Players' Shield.[1] Carolina was then eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Fort Lauderdale United FC after Kiara Locklear scored a controversial game-winning goal in extra time.[2] Multiple Ascent members received accolades at the end of the season, with Jill Aguilera named Defender of the Year, coach Philip Poole named Coach of the Year, and all three of Aguilera, Mia Corbin, and Sydney Studer earning spots on the All-League first team.[3]

Kit changes

On May 17, 2025, the Ascent announced its kits for the 2025–26 season. Building off of the previous year's uniforms, the Ascent's 'Trailblazer Kit 2.0' and 'Coastal Kit 2.0' feature artwork portraying various locations in North Carolina.[4]

Team

Staff

As of August 9, 2024
Front office
Position Name
CEO & Managing Partner United States Jim McPhilliamy
Technical staff
Head Coach United States Philip Poole

Current squad

As of November 30, 2025
No. Nat. Name Date of birth (age) Since Previous team Notes
Goalkeepers
1 United States Meagan McClelland (2000-08-05)August 5, 2000 (aged 25) 2024 Denmark Odense Boldklub Q –
15 Puerto Rico Sydney Martinez (1999-09-12)September 12, 1999 (aged 25) 2025 United States Brooklyn FC –
16 United States Charlotte Burge (2006-04-04)April 4, 2006 (aged 19) 2024 Germany 1. FC Kaiserslautern –
Defenders
2 United States Brianna Martinez (2000-04-22)April 22, 2000 (aged 25) 2025 United States Orlando Pride LOA
7 Puerto Rico Jill Aguilera (1998-01-05)January 5, 1998 (aged 27) 2024 United States Chicago Red Stars –
8 United States Emily Moxley (2000-10-29)October 29, 2000 (aged 24) 2024 United States North Carolina Tar Heels –
12 United States Sydney Studer (2000-11-17)November 17, 2000 (aged 24) 2024 United States Washington State Cougars –
13 United States Addisyn Merrick (1998-03-04)March 4, 1998 (aged 27) 2024 United States Utah Royals –
19 United States Meaghan Nally (1998-06-30)June 30, 1998 (aged 27) 2025 Denmark Odense Boldklub Q –
20 United States Jenna Butler (2000-01-18)January 18, 2000 (aged 25) 2025 United States Washington Spirit –
26 Colombia Isa Franco (2008-02-26)February 26, 2008 (aged 17) 2024 United States Carolina Ascent FC (USLW) ACA
Midfielders
3 United States Giovanna DeMarco (1999-07-09)July 9, 1999 (aged 26) 2024 United States San Diego Wave FC –
14 United States Taylor Porter (1997-10-29)October 29, 1997 (aged 27) 2024 United States Portland Thorns FC –
22 England B Hylton (2007-04-25)April 25, 2007 (aged 18) 2024 United States Charlotte Development Academy –
24 United States Emily Morris (2003-06-18)June 18, 2003 (aged 22) 2025 United States Wake Forest Demon Deacons –
25 United States Sarah Troccoli (1996-11-15)November 15, 1996 (aged 28) 2024 Finland Åland United –
28 United States Maggie Pierce (2001-08-10)August 10, 2001 (aged 24) 2025 United States Carolina Ascent FC (USLW) –
Forwards
6 United States Maria Tapia (2008-03-29)March 29, 2008 (aged 17) 2024 United States Charlotte Independence SC ACA
9 United States Mia Corbin (1997-05-25)May 25, 1997 (aged 28) 2024 Australia Brisbane Roar FC –
10 United States Rylee Baisden (1994-04-16)April 16, 1994 (aged 31) 2024 Australia Perth Glory FC –
11 Brazil Luana Grabias (2000-02-07)February 7, 2000 (aged 25) 2025 United States Brooklyn FC –
17 United States Alyssa Walker (1997-11-30)November 30, 1997 (aged 27) 2025 United States Spokane Zephyr FC –
18 United States Audrey Harding (1998-07-14)July 14, 1998 (aged 27) 2024 Sweden KIF Örebro DFF –
21 United States Macey Bader (2003-02-07)February 7, 2003 (aged 22) 2025 United States North Carolina Courage U23 –
23 United States Riley Parker (2000-03-31)March 31, 2000 (aged 25) 2025 United States Tampa Bay Sun FC –
31 United States Mackenzie George (1999-03-10)March 10, 1999 (aged 26) 2025 United States Brooklyn FC –
70 United States Stella Spitzer (2010-04-04)April 4, 2010 (aged 15) 2024 United States Sioux Falls City FC –

Competitions

USL Super League

Main article: 2025–26 USL Super League

Regular season standings

Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
2 Lexington 16 7 0 9 33 15 +18 30 Playoffs
3 Dallas Trinity 15 7 5 3 20 22 −2 24
4 Carolina Ascent 16 5 6 5 20 21 −1 20
5 Spokane Zephyr 18 4 7 7 17 20 −3 19
6 DC Power 15 4 5 6 20 19 +1 18
Updated to match(es) played on February 11, 2026. Source: Gainbridge Super League
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) disciplinary points; 5) drawing of lots.

Matches

August 30, 2025 1 Fort Lauderdale United FC 2–2 Carolina Ascent FC Fort Lauderdale, Florida
7:30 pm ET
  • Van Treeck Yellow card 26'
  • Gordon Yellow card 30'
  • Smith Yellow card 68'
  • Simpson 71'
  • Locklear 83'
 Report
Stadium: Beyond Bancard Field
Attendance: 1,400
Referee: Gloria Resendiz
September 6, 2025 2 Carolina Ascent FC 2–2 Tampa Bay Sun FC Charlotte, North Carolina
7:35 pm ET
Report
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 4,150
Referee: Marie Durr
September 13, 2025 3 Sporting JAX 2–2 Carolina Ascent FC Jacksonville, Florida
7:30 pm ET
Report
Stadium: Hodges Stadium
Attendance: 7,402
Referee: Danielle Chesky
September 24, 2025 4 Carolina Ascent FC 0–1 Spokane Zephyr FC Charlotte, North Carolina
7:00 pm ET
Report
  • Zierenberg 35'
  • Oyler Yellow card 85'
 Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 1,836
Referee: Kaitlyn Trowbrdige
4 October 2025 5 Carolina Ascent FC 3–2 DC Power FC Charlotte, North Carolina
 Report
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 3,161
Referee: Shawn Tehini
10 October 2025 6 Lexington SC 1–1 Carolina Ascent FC Lexington, Kentucky
 Report
Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium
Attendance: 1,711
Referee: Jaclyn Metz
18 October 2025 7 Brooklyn FC 1–2 Carolina Ascent FC Brooklyn
 Report
Stadium: Maimonides Park
Attendance: 1,075
Referee: Carlos Rodriguez
30 October 2025 8 Spokane Zephyr FC 1–2 Carolina Ascent FC Washington, D.C.
 Report
Stadium: One Spokane Stadium
Attendance: 1,179
Referee: Thomas Snyder
8 November 2025 9 Carolina Ascent FC 0–1 Fort Lauderdale United FC Charlotte, North Carolina
 Report
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 3,735
Referee: Jamie Padilla
21 November 2025 10 DC Power FC 0–1 Carolina Ascent FC Washington, D.C.
 Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 2,182
Referee: Calin Radosav
6 December 2025 11 Carolina Ascent FC 1–0 Brooklyn FC Charlotte, North Carolina
 Report
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 2,399
Referee: Mark Verso
13 December 2025 12 Dallas Trinity FC 1–0 Carolina Ascent FC Cotton Bowl
 Report
Attendance: 2,377
Referee: Cristian Campo
December 20, 2025 13 Carolina Ascent FC 0–0 DC Power FC American Legion Memorial Stadium
 Report Attendance: 2,861
Referee: Gerald Flores
February 1, 2026 14 Sporting JAX v Carolina Ascent FC
February 7, 2026 16 Carolina Ascent 1–2 Lexington SC American Legion Memorial Stadium
 Report
Attendance: 1,703
Referee: Joe Surgan
14 February 2026 16 Carolina Ascent FC v
21 February 2026 17 Carolina Ascent FC v
Spokane Zephyr FC
13 March 2026 18 Carolina Ascent FC v Tampa Bay Sun FC
17 March 2025 19 DC Power FC v Carolina Ascent FC
22 March 2026 20 Brooklyn FC v Carolina Ascent FC
28 March 2026 21 Carolina Ascent FC v Fort Lauderdale United FC Charlotte, North Carolina
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
5 April 2026 22 Tampa Bay Sun FC v Carolina Ascent FC
12 April 2026 23 Carolina Ascent FC v Lexington SC Charlotte, North Carolina
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
19 April 2026 24 Dallas Trinity FC v Carolina Ascent FC
26 April 2026 25 Tampa Bay Sun FC v Carolina Ascent FC
10 May 2026 26 Fort Lauderdale United FC v Carolina Ascent FC Charlotte, North Carolina
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
17 May 2026 27 Carolina Ascent FC v Sporting JAX Charlotte, North Carolina
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
28 v Carolina Ascent FC

Statistics

As of December 13, 2025

Appearances and goals

Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.

No. Pos Nat Player Total USL Playoffs
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
1 GK United States USA Meagan McClelland 10 0 9+1 0 0 0
15 GK Puerto Rico PUR Sydney Martinez 1 0 1 0 0 0
16 GK United States USA Charlotte Burge 0 0 0 0 0 0
Defenders
2 DF United States USA Brianna Martinez 10 1 9+1 1 0 0
7 DF Puerto Rico PUR Jill Aguilera 12 1 12 1 0 0
8 DF United States USA Emily Moxley 4 0 3+1 0 0 0
12 DF United States USA Sydney Studer 11 0 10+1 0 0 0
13 DF United States USA Addisyn Merrick 0 0 0 0 0 0
19 DF United States USA Meaghan Nally 6 0 4+2 0 0 0
20 DF United States USA Jenna Butler 11 0 11 0 0 0
26 DF Colombia COL Isa Franco 0 0 0 0 0 0
Midfielders
3 MF United States USA Giovanna DeMarco 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 MF United States USA Taylor Porter 12 0 12 0 0 0
22 MF England ENG B Hylton 7 0 0+7 0 0 0
24 MF United States USA Emily Morris 8 0 6+2 0 0 0
25 MF United States USA Sarah Troccoli 3 0 3 0 0 0
28 MF United States USA Maggie Pierce 1 0 0+1 0 0 0
Forwards
6 FW United States USA Maria Tapia 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 FW United States USA Mia Corbin 11 1 8+3 1 0 0
10 FW United States USA Rylee Baisden 12 4 9+3 4 0 0
11 FW Brazil BRA Luana Grabias 6 0 0+6 0 0 0
17 FW United States USA Alyssa Walker 8 2 0+8 2 0 0
18 FW United States USA Audrey Harding 12 2 9+3 2 0 0
21 FW United States USA Macey Bader 1 0 0+1 0 0 0
23 FW United States USA Riley Parker 12 0 8+4 0 0 0
31 FW United States USA Mackenzie George 12 3 10+2 3 0 0
70 FW United States USA Stella Spitzer 1 0 0+1 0 0 0
Players who left the club during the season:
4 MF United States USA Maddie Mercado 6 4 6 4 0 0
Own goals for:
— — United States USA Sh'Nia Gordon (8/30 v. FTLD) 0 1 0 1 0 0

Transactions

Contract operations

Date Player Pos. Notes Ref.
July 25, 2025 United States Stella Spitzer FW Academy player signed to multi-year professional contract. [5][6]

Loans in

Date Player Pos. Loaned from Fee/notes Ref.
July 2, 2025 United States Brianna Martinez DF United States Orlando Pride Loaned through the end of the 2025 NWSL season. [7]
August 20, 2025 United States Maddie Mercado MF United States Seattle Reign FC Loaned through the end of the 2025 NWSL season. Recalled early on October 8, 2025. [8][9]

Transfers in

Date Player Pos. Previous club Fee/notes Ref.
July 3, 2025 Brazil Luana Grabias FW United States Brooklyn FC Free agent signing. [10]
July 7, 2025 United States Alyssa Walker FW United States Spokane Zephyr FC Free agent signing. [11]
July 9, 2025 Puerto Rico Sydney Martinez GK United States Brooklyn FC Free agent signing. [12][13]
July 10, 2025 United States Emily Morris MF United States Wake Forest Demon Deacons Free agent signing. [14]
July 12, 2025 United States Meaghan Nally DF Denmark Odense Boldklub Q Free agent signing. [15]
July 14, 2025 United States Macey Bader FW United States North Carolina Courage U23 Free agent signing. [12][16]
July 15, 2025 United States Maggie Pierce MF United States Carolina Ascent FC (USLW) Free agent signing. [17][18]
July 16, 2025 United States Mackenzie George FW United States Brooklyn FC Transfer acquisition. [19]

Transfers out

Date Player Pos. Destination club Fee/notes Ref.
June 14, 2025 Israel Eli Hutchinson FW Retirement. [20]
June 23, 2025 Puerto Rico Jaydah Bedoya FW United States DC Power FC Out of contract. [21]
United States Cannon Clough DF Australia Central Coast Mariners FC
United States Annika Creel DF
United States Kathrynn González MF United States Fort Lauderdale United FC
United States Renée Guion DF
United States Samantha Leshnak Murphy GK Sweden FC Rosengård
United States Ashlynn Serepca MF
United States Josie Studer DF Australia Brisbane Roar FC

References

  1. ^ "Charlotte soccer team wins top seed after first season in league". wcnc.com. May 19, 2025. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  2. ^ Cerniglia, Colin (June 10, 2025). "Carolina Ascent's inaugural season ends after controversial call in playoffs". Charlotte Observer.
  3. ^ "Carolina Ascent honored with USL Super League awards". www.thecharlottepost.com. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  4. ^ "Carolina Ascent Unveils Official Kits for 2025/26 Season". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  5. ^ Coats, Doug (July 25, 2025). "15-year-old makes history — again — by signing pro contract with Carolina Ascent soccer team". QC News. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  6. ^ "15-Year-Old Stella Spitzer Becomes Youngest Pro in the Gainbridge Super League". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  7. ^ "Carolina Ascent Add Defender Brianna Martinez On Loan from Orlando Pride". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  8. ^ "Seattle Reign FC Signs Midfielder Maddie Mercado to One-Year Extension with an Option for 2027; Loans Mercado to Carolina Ascent FC". Seattle Reign FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  9. ^ Voght, Steve (October 8, 2025). "Reign recall Maddie Mercado from loan". Sounder at Heart. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  10. ^ "Brazilian Forward Luana Grabias Signs with Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  11. ^ "Proven Goalscorer Alyssa Walker Signs With Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Former USL W League Final MVPs join Carolina Ascent for 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League season". Gainbridge Super League. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  13. ^ "Puerto Rico International Sydney Martinez Joins Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  14. ^ "Local Product and Wake Forest Alum Emily Morris Signs for Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  15. ^ "NWSL Champion Meaghan Nally Signs with Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  16. ^ "Charlotte 49ers' Macey Bader signs with Carolina Ascent". The Charlotte Post. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  17. ^ "Carolina Ascent FC's Roster Proves The Success of The College Pathway". July 26, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  18. ^ "Former Tar Heel Maggie Pierce Officially Signs For Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  19. ^ "Carolina Ascent Acquires Mackenzie George from Brooklyn FC". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  20. ^ "Forward Eli Hutchinson Announces Her Retirement". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  21. ^ Carolina Ascent FC [@carolinaascent] (June 23, 2025). "Inaugural Trailblazers — THANK YOU 💙" (Tweet). Retrieved December 5, 2025 – via Twitter.
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