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 Jim McPhilliamy
Technical staff
Head Coach Philip Poole

Current squad

As of November 30, 2025
No. Nat. Name Date of birth (age) Since Previous team Notes
Goalkeepers
1 Meagan McClelland (2000-08-05)August 5, 2000 (aged 25) 2024 Odense Boldklub Q –
15 Sydney Martinez (1999-09-12)September 12, 1999 (aged 25) 2025 Brooklyn FC –
16 Charlotte Burge (2006-04-04)April 4, 2006 (aged 19) 2024 1. FC Kaiserslautern –
Defenders
2 Brianna Martinez (2000-04-22)April 22, 2000 (aged 25) 2025 Orlando Pride LOA
7 Jill Aguilera (1998-01-05)January 5, 1998 (aged 27) 2024 Chicago Red Stars –
8 Emily Moxley (2000-10-29)October 29, 2000 (aged 24) 2024 North Carolina Tar Heels –
12 Sydney Studer (2000-11-17)November 17, 2000 (aged 24) 2024 Washington State Cougars –
13 Addisyn Merrick (1998-03-04)March 4, 1998 (aged 27) 2024 Utah Royals –
19 Meaghan Nally (1998-06-30)June 30, 1998 (aged 27) 2025 Odense Boldklub Q –
20 Jenna Butler (2000-01-18)January 18, 2000 (aged 25) 2025 Washington Spirit –
26 Isa Franco (2008-02-26)February 26, 2008 (aged 17) 2024 Carolina Ascent FC (USLW) ACA
Midfielders
3 Giovanna DeMarco (1999-07-09)July 9, 1999 (aged 26) 2024 San Diego Wave FC –
14 Taylor Porter (1997-10-29)October 29, 1997 (aged 27) 2024 Portland Thorns FC –
22 B Hylton (2007-04-25)April 25, 2007 (aged 18) 2024 Charlotte Development Academy –
24 Emily Morris (2003-06-18)June 18, 2003 (aged 22) 2025 Wake Forest Demon Deacons –
25 Sarah Troccoli (1996-11-15)November 15, 1996 (aged 28) 2024 Åland United –
28 Maggie Pierce (2001-08-10)August 10, 2001 (aged 24) 2025 Carolina Ascent FC (USLW) –
Forwards
6 Maria Tapia (2008-03-29)March 29, 2008 (aged 17) 2024 Charlotte Independence SC ACA
9 Mia Corbin (1997-05-25)May 25, 1997 (aged 28) 2024 Brisbane Roar FC –
10 Rylee Baisden (1994-04-16)April 16, 1994 (aged 31) 2024 Perth Glory FC –
11 Luana Grabias (2000-02-07)February 7, 2000 (aged 25) 2025 Brooklyn FC –
17 Alyssa Walker (1997-11-30)November 30, 1997 (aged 27) 2025 Spokane Zephyr FC –
18 Audrey Harding (1998-07-14)July 14, 1998 (aged 27) 2024 KIF Örebro DFF –
21 Macey Bader (2003-02-07)February 7, 2003 (aged 22) 2025 North Carolina Courage U23 –
23 Riley Parker (2000-03-31)March 31, 2000 (aged 25) 2025 Tampa Bay Sun FC –
31 Mackenzie George (1999-03-10)March 10, 1999 (aged 26) 2025 Brooklyn FC –
70 Stella Spitzer (2010-04-04)April 4, 2010 (aged 15) 2024 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
1 Sporting JAX 14 7 3 4 28 21 +7 25 Playoffs
2 Lexington 14 5 0 9 28 13 +15 24
3 Carolina Ascent 14 5 4 5 19 18 +1 20
4 Dallas Trinity 13 6 5 2 15 21 −6 20
5 Spokane Zephyr 16 4 6 6 15 15 0 18
Updated to match(es) played on December 20, 2025. 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  26'
  • Gordon  30'
  • Smith  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  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
1 February 2026 14 Sporting JAX v Carolina Ascent FC
7 February 2026 15 Carolina Ascent FC v Lexington SC Charlotte, North Carolina
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
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  USA Meagan McClelland 10 0 9+1 0 0 0
15 GK  PUR Sydney Martinez 1 0 1 0 0 0
16 GK  USA Charlotte Burge 0 0 0 0 0 0
Defenders
2 DF  USA Brianna Martinez 10 1 9+1 1 0 0
7 DF  PUR Jill Aguilera 12 1 12 1 0 0
8 DF  USA Emily Moxley 4 0 3+1 0 0 0
12 DF  USA Sydney Studer 11 0 10+1 0 0 0
13 DF  USA Addisyn Merrick 0 0 0 0 0 0
19 DF  USA Meaghan Nally 6 0 4+2 0 0 0
20 DF  USA Jenna Butler 11 0 11 0 0 0
26 DF  COL Isa Franco 0 0 0 0 0 0
Midfielders
3 MF  USA Giovanna DeMarco 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 MF  USA Taylor Porter 12 0 12 0 0 0
22 MF  ENG B Hylton 7 0 0+7 0 0 0
24 MF  USA Emily Morris 8 0 6+2 0 0 0
25 MF  USA Sarah Troccoli 3 0 3 0 0 0
28 MF  USA Maggie Pierce 1 0 0+1 0 0 0
Forwards
6 FW  USA Maria Tapia 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 FW  USA Mia Corbin 11 1 8+3 1 0 0
10 FW  USA Rylee Baisden 12 4 9+3 4 0 0
11 FW  BRA Luana Grabias 6 0 0+6 0 0 0
17 FW  USA Alyssa Walker 8 2 0+8 2 0 0
18 FW  USA Audrey Harding 12 2 9+3 2 0 0
21 FW  USA Macey Bader 1 0 0+1 0 0 0
23 FW  USA Riley Parker 12 0 8+4 0 0 0
31 FW  USA Mackenzie George 12 3 10+2 3 0 0
70 FW  USA Stella Spitzer 1 0 0+1 0 0 0
Players who left the club during the season:
4 MF  USA Maddie Mercado 6 4 6 4 0 0
Own goals for:
— —  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 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 Brianna Martinez DF Orlando Pride Loaned through the end of the 2025 NWSL season. [7]
August 20, 2025 Maddie Mercado MF 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 Luana Grabias FW Brooklyn FC Free agent signing. [10]
July 7, 2025 Alyssa Walker FW Spokane Zephyr FC Free agent signing. [11]
July 9, 2025 Sydney Martinez GK Brooklyn FC Free agent signing. [12][13]
July 10, 2025 Emily Morris MF Wake Forest Demon Deacons Free agent signing. [14]
July 12, 2025 Meaghan Nally DF Odense Boldklub Q Free agent signing. [15]
July 14, 2025 Macey Bader FW North Carolina Courage U23 Free agent signing. [12][16]
July 15, 2025 Maggie Pierce MF Carolina Ascent FC (USLW) Free agent signing. [17][18]
July 16, 2025 Mackenzie George FW Brooklyn FC Transfer acquisition. [19]

Transfers out

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