Carolina Soccer Report: Carolina Core FC opens their new eight-figure training facility then win 5-0, NC Courage players away on international duty, Greenville Triumph beats the Charlotte Independence

By Ryan Donahue

*Carolina Core FC's new facility could host a World Cup Team in 2026 (Photo courtesy of Carolina Core FC)*

Saturday was a great day for Charlotte fans after two second-half goals from Wilfried Zaha and Idan Toklomati helped the side bounce back against Nashville SC in a 2-1 victory that moved Charlotte back into the top four in the East. Now, as Charlotte prepares for this upcoming weekend’s fixture in Montreal, here’s a look at what happened around the Carolinas over the past week.

Charleston Battery

Charleston Battery vs Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1 win

The Charleston Battery went ahead with Cal Jennings' penalty at the end of the first half. They found the second goal in the 73rd minute from an MD Myers header with a Chris Allan cross. The Tampa Bay Rowdies found a way back into the match two minutes later with a goal from Woobens Pacius, but the Battery were able to hold on for the win and all three points.

The Battery’s Jennings is tied for the USL Championship lead in goals scored with four, and the team as a whole has established itself as one of the most possession-heavy teams at 57.3%, which is good for second in the league.

The Battery stays home again this weekend as they will host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

Next week, the Battery are also set to host Tormenta FC in the US Open Cup third round with the match scheduled for next Tuesday April 15.

North Carolina FC

Indy Eleven vs North Carolina FC 2-2 draw

North Carolina FC was held to a 2-2 draw this past weekend against Indy Eleven. Indy got off to an early start with an unfortunate own goal from Raheem Sommersall in the 26th minute, followed up by a second from Edward Kizza directly at the start of the second half. Carolina’s Evan Conway brought the side back into the game in the 51st minute, and a late stoppage-time equalizer from Conor Donovan was enough to secure the point.

North Carolina will now prepare for New Mexico this upcoming weekend as the side looks to continue its climb in the USL Championship.

North Carolina will also prepare for an exciting matchup in the US Open Cup as they are set to take on Charlotte Independence in the third round of the tournament.

Charlotte Independence

Greenville Triumph vs Charlotte Independence FC 1-0 loss

Charlotte Independence took a tough loss to their South Carolina competitors in a 1-0 defeat where a late goal from Leonardo Castro was the deciding factor. The result drops the Independence to seventh in USL1. With anticipation building for next week’s matchup against NC FC, the side must first set its sights on hosting Forward Madison FC this upcoming Friday night. With Charlotte FC on the road this weekend, local fans will be eager to get their fix of some local Charlotte soccer in what is expected to be an exciting mid table clash.

In other news from around the club, Independence announced the signing of Colombian forward Juan David Moreno, who joins the side from Cucuta Deportivo Futbol Club in Colombia.

Greenville Triumph

Greenville Triumph vs Charlotte Independence FC 1-0 win

Greenville continues to soar at the top of USL 1, sitting just four points behind league leaders FC Naples. Castro’s late goal in the Triumph’s win over the Independence was again well earned as the side outshot and possessed the Independence. Greenville are preparing this week for One Knoxville SC on Wednesday night and this weekend will travel to Chattanooga to take on the Red Wolves in a week that could further boost Greenville’s title chase.

Crown Legacy FC

Columbus Crew 2 vs Crown Legacy 1-1 (3-4 after PKs) draw - 2 pt win on penalties

Crown Legacy’s early-season struggles continue while despite winning on penalties, the side finished against Columbus with another 1-1 draw, leaving them just two spots above the bottom of the league.

Tristan Brown from Columbus opened the scoring just before the end of the first half, with a late equalizer from Crown’s Dylan Sing brought the side back into the game. The Crown had the larger share of possession and passing, but the Crew significantly outshotthe Crown with 17 shots to seven.

Next up, the Crown will take on Huntsville City this Sunday as the side to look start climbing back up the MLS NEXT Pro table.

Carolina Core FC

Carolina Core vs NYCFC II 5-0 win

Carolina Core trounced NYCFC II this past weekend in a 5-0 thrashing to keep the good vibes around the Core going into the week. The Core got off to a blazing start with David Polanco, Facundo Canete, and Jacob Alexander Edwards each bagging a goal before the twenty-minute mark. Glory Nzingo and Derek Cuevas also scored two late second-half goals to finish off New York in what was the highest scoring result around the Carolinas this weekend.

This win was a big cherry on top of the opening of the club’s new state-of-the-art training facility named the Go-Forth Elite Performance Center, which opened this past week. It’s an eight-figure investment and is in the running to host an international team during the FIFA World Cup next summer.

The Core will now prepare to host Chattanooga FC on Sunday afternoon as the Piedmont side seeks to keep the positive energy going.

North Carolina Courage

The Courage were off this past weekend and now have their sights set on this weekend's road match against Gotham FC on Sunday.

With no weekend matchup, the Courage excitement came from off-field events. Ryan Williams was named to NWSL’s Best XI for March after playing every minute of all three matches and leading the league in possession and attempted passes.

The Courage also had five international call-ups with Jaedyn Shaw and Riley Jackson travelling to US international camps. Other international call-ups included Denise O’Sullivan, who traveled with Ireland for the UEFA Women’s Nations League, along with Feli Rauch who traveled with the German national team. Manaka Matsukubu also received a call up to play with Japan in an international friendly against Colombia.

Carolina Ascent FC

The Carolina Ascent maintained their position at the top of the table with a 0-1 win on the road against the DC Power. Sarah Mary Troccoli got the lone goal in the 57th minute after Mia Corbin deflected a cross into her path.

Off the field, the Ascent's Corbin was named the Player of the Month for the USL Super League for March, making her the first player at the club to ever receive this award. Corbin’s four goals in five games helped her quickly rise to an easy nomination, but they have also boosted her chances of securing the Golden Boot with nine goals on the season

Audrey Harding and Jill Aguilera were also nominated for USL SL’s Team of the Month Award.