Charlotte Independence Soccer Club
EIN: 83-4522850 · Tax status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Overview
Charlotte Independence Soccer Club (CISC) was formed in April 2019 through the merger of Carolina Rapids Soccer Club, Discoveries Soccer Club, and Lake Norman Soccer Club, making it one of the largest youth soccer clubs in the country with approximately 12,000 members. The club is the youth affiliate of the Charlotte Independence USL League One professional team.
Based in Cornelius, NC, CISC operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the legal name Carolinas Football Club (EIN 83-4522850), tax-exempt since March 2020.
Financials
| Metric | FY2025 | FY2024 | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $10,659,313 | $9,527,517 | $10,707,184 | $8,219,866 | $7,874,250 |
| Expenses | $10,128,291 | $9,960,652 | $10,635,905 | $8,170,763 | $7,831,538 |
| Net Income | $531,022 | -$433,135 | $71,279 | $49,103 | $42,712 |
| Net Assets | -$230,286 | -$761,304 | -$328,172 | -$399,451 | -$448,554 |
Negative net assets
CISC has operated with negative net assets since inception (FY2019-FY2025), peaking at -$761K in FY2024 before improving to -$230K in FY2025. This likely reflects merger-related debt taken on during the 2019 consolidation that has not yet been fully retired.
Revenue: $10.7M (FY2025). COVID impact visible in FY2020 ($3.8M, first partial year). Confidence: (HIGH) — 990 filing data.
Teams & Players
- ~12,000 members across all programs
- Broad competitive pathway from recreational through national elite
- Boys and girls programs across all age groups
League Affiliations
The most diverse league portfolio in NC:
- mls-next — Homegrown and Academy levels
- girls-academy — Girls competitive pathway
- Girls Aspire
- Girls DPL (Development Player League)
- Boys NAL (National Academy League)
- Boys NPL (National Premier League)
- USL Academy / USL W League / USL League Two
- Gainbridge Super League pathway
- NCYSA state leagues
Facilities
CISC uses multiple training venues across the Charlotte metro, inherited from the three merged clubs. Specific facility details TBD.
Leadership
- thomas-finlay — CEO
- chad-metzler — COO
- dave-carton — Technical Director (ECNL Boys)
- Neil Roberts — Director of Soccer (since 2022)
- Cory Munro — Chief Business Officer
- Jeff Bilyk — Pro Academy Boys Director
- Susie Morris — Director of Soccer Operations (promoted March 2026)
College Placement
Strong college placement track record supported by MLS Next, Girls Academy, and DPL showcase events.
Competitive Position
CISC holds the MLS Next franchise in Charlotte along with Girls Academy and DPL — making it the primary alternative to charlotte-soccer-academy’s ECNL pathway. The professional USL affiliation provides a boys’ pathway to professional soccer.
Strengths:
- MLS Next membership (key franchise asset)
- Girls Academy + DPL (comprehensive girls’ pathway)
- Professional USL affiliation (Charlotte Independence)
- Massive player base (~12,000)
- Proven consolidation model (3-club merger in 2019)
- Diverse league portfolio (more pathways than any single NC club)
Weaknesses:
- Negative net assets (-$230K) — financial stress
- Merger integration may still be incomplete
- Lacks ECNL (the premier girls’ pathway held by charlotte-soccer-academy)
- Competes with Charlotte FC Academy for elite MLS-track boys’ talent
- No signature owned facility
Industry Context
CISC holds a distinctive position in the Charlotte market: MLS Next franchise rights alongside Girls Academy and DPL pathways, combined with a 12,000-member base that resulted from a documented three-club consolidation in 2019. The 2019 merger of Carolina Rapids, Discoveries SC, and Lake Norman SC is one of the more notable examples of multi-club consolidation in youth soccer and serves as a reference point for how large regional clubs form. The persistent negative net assets ($761K in FY2024, improving to $230K in FY2025) likely reflect merger-related debt taken on in 2019. CISC and charlotte-soccer-academy (ECNL) represent distinct competitive pathways within Charlotte, serving different segments of the elite youth soccer market.
Open Questions
- What is driving the persistent negative net assets? Is it merger-related debt from the 2019 consolidation?
- How is the relationship with Charlotte Independence (USL) structured — arm’s length or operationally integrated?
- What caused the revenue dip in FY2024 ($9.5M vs $10.7M in FY2023)?
- Which venues does CISC primarily use for training and competition across the Charlotte metro?