Highland FC (ABYSA)
Overview
Highland Football Club (HFC) is the competitive division of the Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association (ABYSA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Western North Carolina. ABYSA was founded with tax-exempt status since December 2000 under EIN 56-2148108. Highland FC operates boys’ and girls’ teams in U11-U19 age groups with professional coaching staff.
ABYSA provides both recreational and competitive (Highland FC) programming, making it the primary youth soccer organization in the Asheville metro area.
Financials
| Metric | FY2024 | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | FY2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $4,378,755 | $4,146,961 | $3,390,901 | $1,907,866 | $1,782,768 |
| Expenses | $3,766,162 | $3,317,310 | $2,665,935 | $1,718,537 | $2,073,421 |
| Net Income | $612,593 | $829,651 | $724,966 | $189,329 | -$290,653 |
Revenue has grown 146% from FY2020 to FY2024 ($1.8M to $4.4M) — exceptional growth trajectory. Consistently profitable since FY2021. Confidence: (HIGH) — 990 filing data.
Teams & Players
- Estimated 3,000+ players across recreational (ABYSA) and competitive (Highland FC) programs
- Highland FC: U11-U19 boys and girls competitive teams
- ABYSA recreational: volunteer-led, ages 4-19
League Affiliations
- ecnl Boys — Mid-Atlantic Conference (promoted for 2025-26 season)
- ECNL Regional League — Girls and Boys (Carolinas RL conference)
- NCYSA Classic / Challenge
Facilities
ABYSA operates fields in the Asheville/Buncombe County area. Specific facility details TBD.
Hurricane Helene impact
ABYSA was significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene in late 2024, launching relief fundraising. Facility condition post-storm is unclear.
Leadership
Coaching staff holds USSF licenses and collegiate playing experience. Specific executive leadership names TBD.
Competitive Position
Highland FC/ABYSA is the only significant competitive club in Western NC, serving the Asheville metro (~470K). The recent promotion to ECNL Boys (Mid-Atlantic Conference) for 2025-26 signals growing competitive ambition.
Strengths:
- Monopoly in Asheville/WNC market
- Exceptional revenue growth (146% in 4 years)
- ECNL Boys membership (new for 2025-26) + ECNL-RL
- Consistently profitable
- Growing market (Asheville among fastest-growing smaller metros)
Weaknesses:
- Smaller market (~470K metro)
- Hurricane Helene impact (2024) — potential facility/membership disruption
- Geographic isolation from major NC metros
- Limited tournament hosting capacity
Investment Thesis
Highland FC/ABYSA is a Tier 2 target for Western NC. The $4.4M revenue, monopoly position, and growth trajectory make it attractive. Could serve as a Western NC hub in a statewide platform. Relatively small enough for straightforward acquisition.
Open Questions
- What is the post-Hurricane Helene facility and membership status?
- Who are the key executive leaders (ED/CEO)?
- What are the facility ownership/lease terms?
- Is there appetite for acquisition or partnership?