Charlotte FC's Pro Pathway Update: Three Academy players make pro debuts, GA Cup set to begin, Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz gets national recognition
- Brian Maurer
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
By Brian Maurer
Here is our new column, which will provide regular updates on Charlotte FC's pro player pathway. Lots of exciting movement happens in the academy during the spring half of their season because Crown Legacy FC has started playing and calling academy players up. This opens the door for younger players to get called up to the U18 team to replace the players going up to Crown Legacy. Then, U15s get an opportunity to go up to U16 to replace those players going up to U18.
This movement gives us a great opportunity to identify and learn about the exciting prospects that could one day make an impact with Charlotte FC.
Crown Legacy FC
Crown Legacy's Head Coach Gary Dicker had 10 academy players on the roster sheet for their home opener in March. Six were in the starting eleven, and four more on the bench. Defender Wyatt Holt and Tyger Smalls' brother Magic both made their pro debuts that night. Holt (15) has started in all three of Crown Legacy's games so far this year.
This past week, Luke Munson made his pro debut coming on for the second half against the Columbus Crew II.
So far, Charlotte FC's academy accounts for two of Crown Legacy's three goals to start the year, and that is with winger Nimfasha Berchimas sidelined with an injury.
List of Academy players who have made a Crown Legacy roster in 2025:
Brian Romero* - 1 goal
Rocket Ritarita - 1 goal
Aron John* - 1 assist
Jack Neeley*
Wyatt Holt - pro debut in 2025
Erik Pena*
Magic Smalls - pro debut in 2025
Luke Munson - pro debut in 2025
Isaias Elizalde
Adrian Mendoza
*- signed to a pro contract
Generation Adidas Cup 2025
The U18s and U16s traveled to Bradenton, Florida this week to play in the Generation Adidas Cup. It's one of the major highlights of the Academy season and will feature 18 international academy clubs.
40 teams will feature in each age group (29 MLS academy teams, nine international academy teams, and two MLS NEXT Elite academy teams). The MLS NEXT Elite academies qualified during MLS NEXT Fest in December.
The 40 teams at each age level will be split into 10 groups of four, and the winner of each group will advance to the knockout round. The next six best point totals will also qualify for the round of 16.
There will also be a consolation knockout tournament that will feature the best 16 teams in the group stages that did not qualify for the Championship knockout rounds.
Both Charlotte FC academy teams are bringing competitive squads that are almost all "on-age". Nico Texeira (16) will be the only player playing up a level with the U18s, and Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz (15) is the only player playing up a level for the U16s.
Charlotte FC's U18 Group and Schedule
Charlotte's U18s are in Group C and will play against Panamanian side CA Independiente de la Chorrera, Austin FC, and LA Galaxy.
Saturday, Apr 12, 2:30 PM ET - vs CA Independiente
Sunday, Apr 13, 2:30 PM ET - vs Austin FC
Monday, Apr 14, 2:00 PM ET - vs LA Galaxy
Charlotte FC's U16 Group and Schedule
Charlotte's U16s are in Group C and will play against Belgian side KRC Genk, Seattle Sounders, and FC Cincinnati.
Saturday, Apr 12, 10:00 AM ET - vs KRC Genk
Sunday, Apr 13, 10:00 AM ET - vs FC Cincinnati
Monday, Apr 14, 9:00 AM ET - vs Seattle Sounders
Alexander-Munoz gets national recognition
Charlotte FC's Alexander-Munoz has been called up to the U15 USYNT twice this year, and he was added to the 2025 Generation Adidas Cup Rising XI. The young defender is definitely one to keep an eye on as he gets an opportunity to play up with the U16s this week in Florida.
Commenti