NCFC Youth (Capital Area Soccer League)
Overview
NCFC Youth, founded in 1974 as Capital Area Soccer League (CASL), is the largest youth soccer club in North Carolina and one of the largest in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, the club serves the greater Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) with approximately 17,000 players across 700+ teams. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 23-7441292.
NCFC Youth is a collaboration between Capital Area Soccer League (CASL), Triangle Futbol Club Alliance (TFCA), and the professional North Carolina Football Club (NCFC), creating the largest youth-to-professional soccer club in the country.
Financials
| Metric | FY2024 | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | FY2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $20,404,335 | $16,963,899 | $16,062,389 | $13,846,448 | $11,818,813 |
| Expenses | $18,330,536 | $16,714,010 | $14,614,220 | $11,880,872 | $12,029,296 |
| Net Income | $2,073,799 | $249,889 | $1,448,169 | $1,965,576 | -$210,483 |
| Total Assets | $22,137,712 | $18,299,628 | $15,161,251 | $15,967,738 | $12,669,148 |
Revenue has grown 72% from FY2020 to FY2024 ($11.8M to $20.4M). Confidence: (HIGH) — 990 filing data.
Total liabilities: $11,213,268 (FY2024). Net assets: ~$10.9M.
Teams & Players
- ~17,000 players across all programs (2025)
- 700+ teams
- Programs: recreational (ages 2.5-19), Challenge (2nd tier competitive), Classic (1st tier competitive), ECNL, ECNL-RL
- Boys and girls programs across all age groups
League Affiliations
- ecnl — Girls and Boys (full national membership)
- ECNL Regional League — NC conference
- NCYSA Classic and Challenge
- US Club Soccer
Facilities
- wakemed-soccer-park — Cary, NC. 10,000-seat stadium + practice fields. Shared with NCFC (USL) and NC Courage (NWSL)
- wral-soccer-center — Raleigh, NC. 122-acre park with 22 fields (8 turf), clubhouse, indoor fitness center
- Additional community fields throughout the Triangle
Leadership
- gary-buete — CEO
- john-dalpe — Chairman, Board of Directors (since 2012)
College Placement
Strong college placement track record. The NCFC Showcase Series (Tier 1, US Club sanctioned) is a major college recruiting event drawing 1,500+ teams.
Competitive Position
NCFC Youth holds a near-monopoly position in the Research Triangle market. No other club in the Raleigh-Durham area approaches its scale. The integration with the professional NCFC and NWSL Courage provides unique brand cachet and a youth-to-pro pathway.
Strengths:
- Massive scale ($20.4M, 17,000 players)
- Integration with professional teams (NCFC, NC Courage)
- ECNL membership (both boys and girls)
- Premier facilities (WakeMed, WRAL)
- 50+ years of history and brand equity (founded 1974)
- Dominant tournament operation (ncfc-showcase — $2M+ revenue)
Weaknesses:
- Lacks MLS Next pathway (Charlotte clubs hold those slots)
- Size may create bureaucratic challenges
- Professional team integration may limit independence in any M&A scenario
Investment Thesis
NCFC Youth is the #1 target in the Research Triangle but would be a complex acquisition given its integration with the professional NCFC. Revenue of $20.4M and $22M in assets make this one of the largest youth soccer nonprofits in the country. Any Triangle market entry likely requires engaging with NCFC Youth.
Open Questions
- What is the governance relationship between NCFC Youth and the professional NCFC? Can the youth entity be separated?
- What are the lease/use terms at WakeMed Soccer Park and WRAL Soccer Center?
- Who are the key decision-makers beyond Gary Buete and John Dalpe?
- Is there any investor interest or M&A conversation already underway?