Charlotte FC Adds New Academy Team Set to Play in UPSL
CHARLOTTE, NC (Tuesday, January 3, 2023) – Charlotte FC announced today the addition of a new team within the Academy which is set to begin play this spring in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL).
The team will play in the Premier Division within the Mid-Atlantic Conference which features local sides Queen City FC and Mint Hill FC along with other semi-professional sides.
The new side will fit between the MLS NEXT Pro and the U-17s on the Club’s development pathway:
Charlotte FC First Team
MLS NEXT Pro
UPSL
U-17
U-15
U-14
Discovery Program
Grassroots
Dominic Oduro, who played 13 seasons in Major League Soccer amassing over 350 appearances, has been elevated to Head Coach of the new team. Oduro previously served as the Club’s U-14 coach.
“It’s an exciting time to extend our Academy beyond the U-17 level and add development opportunities for all the current and future players within our system. As a relatively young Academy, this was the appropriate next step to ensure that our development pathway was complete and our players can progress with us until they sign a professional contract or begin their collegiate careers,” said Executive Director of Academy, Bryan Scales. “We’re thankful to our sporting and business leadership for investing further resources into youth development in order to make Charlotte FC one of the premier professional academies in the country.”
“We are excited to welcome Charlotte FC Academy to the UPSL. Charlotte FC are putting together an extraordinary program and competing in one of our toughest conferences, the Mid-Atlantic Premier conference” explains United Premier Soccer League VP Christian Vallejos. “We value the efforts and vision of the technical staff to become the leader in player development in the Carolinas, and we are proud that the UPSL can play a role in that.
The club will hold a combine for prospective players at Matthews Sportsplex on January 15th. Those interested in participating can apply through the following link: CLICK HERE
The new team will be a non-residential program and players must live within driving distance of Charlotte for trainings, matches and travel.
The UPSL has nearly 400 clubs competing nationwide and occupies the 4th tier of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. For more information on the league, please visit premierstaging.upsl.com.
About United Premier Soccer League
The UPSL was formed in 2011 and occupies the unofficial fourth tier of US Soccer. Across its Premier, Division 1 and Womens leagues there are more than 400 teams competing nationwide. The UPSL is now the largest Pro Development League in North America and is a National Affiliate member of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated. UPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the league’s affiliation with USSF.
More information about UPSL can be found at www.staging.upsl.com or by following the league on Facebook (facebook.com/upslsoccer), Instagram (@upslsoccer) and Twitter (@upslsoccer). Contact UPSL: [email protected] / Media: [email protected]