Capital Area Soccer League and Triangle Futbol Club Alliance Enter Historic Strategic Collaboration with North Carolina FC to Create the Largest Youth-to-Pro Soccer Club in the United States
With 20,000 members, club strengthens MLS bid
Cary, NC (March 10, 2017) - North Carolina Football Club (North Carolina FC or NCFC) have entered into an historic collaboration with the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) and Triangle Futbol Club Alliance (TFCA) resulting in the largest youth-to-professional soccer club in the United States. CASL and TFCA will rebrand as North Carolina FC [Youth] beginning this season and complete the transition this summer. North Carolina FC Youth will take the field in the fall wearing the NCFC crest on their jerseys.
“This truly is an historic partnership,” said North Carolina FC owner Steve Malik. “We now have a soccer pyramid from youth recreational leagues up to the highest level of men’s and women’s professional soccer in North Carolina. North Carolina FC Youth will be home to more than 13,500 youth players and will be a key positive differentiator in our already strong Major League Soccer bid. The collaboration shows the unified and powerful support of soccer at all levels in our area. I want to personally thank the visionary leadership of CASL and TFCA for their work in accomplishing this goal.”
A combined 61 years of soccer management, coaching, and on-field success between CASL and TFCA will ensure North Carolina FC Youth will offer the best player development and training opportunities to players of all ages and abilities. The combined resources will allow soccer to grow in our area by attracting talented coaches and players, providing a clear pathway to professional soccer, and fostering a sense of connection between youth soccer and the professional team among many other benefits.
“North Carolina FC, CASL, and TFCA share a similar vision for the future of youth soccer in North Carolina and our country,” said Gary Buete, CASL CEO. “We have been committed to providing the best youth soccer opportunities the past 43 years, and this collaboration enhances our opportunities to continue being on the cutting edge of youth development. We owe a huge credit to CASL’s founders, predecessors, and former players whose commitment, success, and good decisions put us in a position to take this next step.”
As part of the collaboration, all CASL and TFCA players and coaches will become members of North Carolina FC, growing the club’s membership to more than 20,000. This growth and the collaboration will provide broader marketing, enhanced sponsorship opportunities, and increased merchandising efforts that will enhance the strength and visibility of the North Carolina FC brand, effectively strengthening the club’s MLS aspirations.
“Over the past 18 years, our current and former players, coaches, staff, and board members created an environment for TFCA to excel on and off the field,” said Marlow Campbell, Executive Director of TFCA. “We are excited to take this next step with CASL and NCFC. We believe that our combined resources will lead to increasingly better opportunities for our players and families, while supporting the growth of soccer in North Carolina.”
About North Carolina Football Club
North Carolina Football Club is the state’s largest professional soccer organization and is the parent organization of North Carolina FC (NASL, Men’s Second Division) and North Carolina Courage (NWSL, Women’s First Division). The organization is owned by local entrepreneur, Steve Malik, and managed by North Carolina native and longtime soccer executive Curt Johnson. North Carolina Football Club was established in 2016 to bring the highest levels of men’s and women’s professional soccer to the state. For more information, please visit www.NorthCarolinaFC.com.
About CASL
Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) is a non-profit youth soccer organization located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1974, CASL provides positive, high quality soccer opportunities at all levels of play for more than 11,000 youth and their families each year and serves as a valuable community partner. For more information, visit www.CASLnc.com
About TFCA
Triangle Football Club Alliance (TFCA) is a non-profit youth soccer organization serving more than 2,500 youth and their families across the greater Triangle area in North Carolina. Founded in 1999, TFCA develops youth and enhances communities in the greater Triangle area through the sport of soccer. For more information, visit www.trianglefc.org.