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.
| 2025–26 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Phillip Poole | ||
| Stadium | American Legion Memorial Stadium | ||
|
| |||
Background
editIn 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
editOn 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
editStaff
edit- As of August 9, 2024
| Front office | |
|---|---|
| Position | Name |
| CEO & Managing Partner |  Jim McPhilliamy |
| Technical staff | |
| Head Coach | Philip Poole |
Current squad
edit- As of November 30, 2025
| No. | Nat. | Name | Date of birth (age) | Since | Previous team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | ||||||
| 1 | |
Meagan McClelland | August 5, 2000 (aged 25) | 2024 |  Odense Boldklub Q |
– |
| 15 |  |
Sydney Martinez | September 12, 1999 (aged 25) | 2025 | Brooklyn FC |
– |
| 16 | |
Charlotte Burge | April 4, 2006 (aged 19) | 2024 |  1. FC Kaiserslautern |
– |
| Defenders | ||||||
| 2 | |
Brianna Martinez | April 22, 2000 (aged 25) | 2025 | Orlando Pride |
LOA |
| 7 | |
Jill Aguilera | January 5, 1998 (aged 27) | 2024 | Chicago Red Stars |
– |
| 8 | |
Emily Moxley | October 29, 2000 (aged 24) | 2024 | North Carolina Tar Heels |
– |
| 12 | |
Sydney Studer | November 17, 2000 (aged 24) | 2024 | Washington State Cougars |
– |
| 13 | |
Addisyn Merrick | March 4, 1998 (aged 27) | 2024 | Utah Royals |
– |
| 19 | |
Meaghan Nally | June 30, 1998 (aged 27) | 2025 | Odense Boldklub Q |
– |
| 20 | |
Jenna Butler | January 18, 2000 (aged 25) | 2025 | Washington Spirit |
– |
| 26 |  |
Isa Franco | February 26, 2008 (aged 17) | 2024 | Carolina Ascent FC (USLW) |
ACA |
| Midfielders | ||||||
| 3 | |
Giovanna DeMarco | July 9, 1999 (aged 26) | 2024 | San Diego Wave FC |
– |
| 14 | |
Taylor Porter | October 29, 1997 (aged 27) | 2024 | Portland Thorns FC |
– |
| 22 |  |
B Hylton | April 25, 2007 (aged 18) | 2024 | Charlotte Development Academy |
– |
| 24 | |
Emily Morris | June 18, 2003 (aged 22) | 2025 | Wake Forest Demon Deacons |
– |
| 25 | |
Sarah Troccoli | November 15, 1996 (aged 28) | 2024 |  Åland United |
– |
| 28 | |
Maggie Pierce | August 10, 2001 (aged 24) | 2025 | Carolina Ascent FC (USLW) |
– |
| Forwards | ||||||
| 6 | |
Maria Tapia | March 29, 2008 (aged 17) | 2024 | Charlotte Independence SC |
ACA |
| 9 | |
Mia Corbin | May 25, 1997 (aged 28) | 2024 |  Brisbane Roar FC |
– |
| 10 | |
Rylee Baisden | April 16, 1994 (aged 31) | 2024 | Perth Glory FC |
– |
| 11 |  |
Luana Grabias | February 7, 2000 (aged 25) | 2025 | Brooklyn FC |
– |
| 17 | |
Alyssa Walker | November 30, 1997 (aged 27) | 2025 | Spokane Zephyr FC |
– |
| 18 | |
Audrey Harding | July 14, 1998 (aged 27) | 2024 |  KIF Örebro DFF |
– |
| 21 | |
Macey Bader | February 7, 2003 (aged 22) | 2025 | North Carolina Courage U23 |
– |
| 23 | |
Riley Parker | March 31, 2000 (aged 25) | 2025 | Tampa Bay Sun FC |
– |
| 31 | |
Mackenzie George | March 10, 1999 (aged 26) | 2025 | Brooklyn FC |
– |
| 70 | |
Stella Spitzer | April 4, 2010 (aged 15) | 2024 | Sioux Falls City FC |
– |
Competitions
editUSL Super League
editRegular season standings
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington (C, S) | 28 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 50 | 24 | +26 | 53 | Playoffs |
| 2 | Sporting JAX | 28 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 54 | 32 | +22 | 53 | |
| 3 | Carolina Ascent | 28 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 39 | 27 | +12 | 51 | |
| 4 | Dallas Trinity | 28 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 36 | 40 | −4 | 40 | |
| 5 | Spokane Zephyr | 28 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 28 | +6 | 39 |
Updated to match(es) played on May 16, 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.
(C) Champions; (S) Players' Shield winner
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) disciplinary points; 5) drawing of lots.
(C) Champions; (S) Players' Shield winner
Matches
editAugust and September
edit| August 30, 2025 1 | Fort Lauderdale United FC | 2–2 | Carolina Ascent FC | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| 7:30 pm ET |
|
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 |
|
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 1,836 Referee: Kaitlyn Trowbrdige |
October
edit| October 4, 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 |
| October 10, 2025 6 | Lexington SC | 1–1 | Carolina Ascent FC | Lexington, Kentucky |
|
Report | Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium Attendance: 1,711 Referee: Jaclyn Metz |
| October 18, 2025 7 | Brooklyn FC | 1–2 | Carolina Ascent FC | Brooklyn |
| Report | Stadium: Maimonides Park Attendance: 1,075 Referee: Carlos Rodriguez |
| October 30, 2025 8 | Spokane Zephyr FC | 1–2 | Carolina Ascent FC | Washington, D.C. |
|
Report | Stadium: One Spokane Stadium Attendance: 1,179 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
November
edit| November 8, 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 |
| November 21, 2025 10 | DC Power FC | 0–1 | Carolina Ascent FC | Washington, D.C. |
|
Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 2,182 Referee: Calin Radosav |
December
edit| December 6, 2025 11 | Carolina Ascent FC | 1–0 | Brooklyn FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
|
Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 2,399 Referee: Mark Verso |
| December 13, 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 |
January and February
edit| January 31, 2026 14 | Sporting JAX | 1–0 | Carolina Ascent FC | Jacksonville, Florida |
| 5:00 PM ET | Report | Stadium: Hodges Stadium Attendance: 8,247 Referee: Deny Kulasinac |
| February 7, 2026 15 | Carolina Ascent | 1–2 | Lexington SC | American Legion Memorial Stadium |
| Report | Attendance: 1,703 Referee: Joe Surgan |
| February 14, 2026 16 | Carolina Ascent FC | 0–2 | Spokane Zephyr FC | American Legion Memorial Stadium |
|
Report | Attendance: 2,064 Referee: Jaclyn Metz |
| February 21, 2026 17 | Carolina Ascent FC | 2–0 | Dallas Trinity FC | Charlotte, NC |
| 2:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 2,406 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
March
edit| March 13, 2026 18 | Carolina Ascent FC | 1–0 | Tampa Bay Sun FC | American Legion Memorial Stadium |
|
Report | Attendance: 2,156 Referee: Kevin Broadley |
| March 17, 2026 19 | DC Power FC | 0–1 | Carolina Ascent FC | Audi Field |
|
Report |
|
Attendance: 1,050 Referee: Joshua Encarnación |
| March 22, 2026 20 | Brooklyn FC | 0–2 | Carolina Ascent FC | Maimonides Park |
| Report | Attendance: 796 Referee: Atahan Yaya |
| March 28, 2026 21 | Carolina Ascent FC | 1–1 | Fort Lauderdale United FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Report |
|
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 3,540 Referee: Lauren Aldrich |
April
edit| April 5, 2026 22 | Tampa Bay Sun FC | 1–2 | Carolina Ascent FC | Suncoast Credit Union Field |
|
Report | Attendance: 1,482 Referee: Kaitlyn Trowbridge |
| April 12, 2026 23 | Carolina Ascent FC | 1–0 | Lexington SC | American Legion Memorial Stadium |
|
Report | Attendance: 5,189 Referee: Kelsey Harms |
| April 19, 2026 24 | Dallas Trinity FC | 0–1 | Carolina Ascent FC | Cotton Bowl |
| Report |
|
Attendance: 5,225 Referee: Laadi Issaka |
| April 26, 2026 25 | Tampa Bay Sun FC | 1–2 | Carolina Ascent FC | Suncoast Credit Union Field |
|
Report | Attendance: 2,274 Referee: Jamie Padilla |
May
edit| May 10, 2026 26 | Fort Lauderdale United FC | 0–3 | Carolina Ascent FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Report | Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 3,750 Referee: Drew Klemp |
| May 17, 2026 27 | Carolina Ascent FC | 3–1 | Sporting JAX | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Report |
|
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 6,566 Referee: Marie Durr |
Playoffs
edit| May 24, 2026 | Sporting JAX | v | Carolina Ascent | Jacksonville, Florida |
| 5:00 PM ET | Stadium: Hodges Stadium |
Statistics
edit- As of December 13, 2025
Appearances and goals
editStarting 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
editContract operations
edit| Date | Player | Pos. | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2025 | Stella Spitzer |
FW | Academy player signed to multi-year professional contract. | [5][6] |
Loans in
edit| 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
edit| 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
edit| 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
edit- ↑ "Charlotte soccer team wins top seed after first season in league". wcnc.com. May 19, 2025. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ Cerniglia, Colin (June 10, 2025). "Carolina Ascent's inaugural season ends after controversial call in playoffs". Charlotte Observer.
- ↑ "Carolina Ascent honored with USL Super League awards". www.thecharlottepost.com. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ "Carolina Ascent Unveils Official Kits for 2025/26 Season". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "15-Year-Old Stella Spitzer Becomes Youngest Pro in the Gainbridge Super League". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Carolina Ascent Add Defender Brianna Martinez On Loan from Orlando Pride". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Voght, Steve (October 8, 2025). "Reign recall Maddie Mercado from loan". Sounder at Heart. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Brazilian Forward Luana Grabias Signs with Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Proven Goalscorer Alyssa Walker Signs With Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- 1 2 "Former USL W League Final MVPs join Carolina Ascent for 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League season". Gainbridge Super League. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Puerto Rico International Sydney Martinez Joins Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Local Product and Wake Forest Alum Emily Morris Signs for Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "NWSL Champion Meaghan Nally Signs with Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Charlotte 49ers' Macey Bader signs with Carolina Ascent". The Charlotte Post. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Carolina Ascent FC's Roster Proves The Success of The College Pathway". July 26, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Former Tar Heel Maggie Pierce Officially Signs For Carolina Ascent". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Carolina Ascent Acquires Mackenzie George from Brooklyn FC". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Forward Eli Hutchinson Announces Her Retirement". Carolina Ascent FC. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ Carolina Ascent FC [@carolinaascent] (June 23, 2025). "Inaugural Trailblazers — THANK YOU 💙" (Tweet). Retrieved December 5, 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).