The vision? A movement to unify the greater NC Core area through the highest level of competitive soccer in the region –and you’re at the forefront of what happens next. Whether you grew up here or are brand new to the area, this is the time to put our home on the map in a way it’s never been before!
Welcome to Truist Point, home of the Carolina Core FC (CCFC). We are so glad you are here to support the Foxes! If you are here to support the other team, although we may question your life choices, we are glad you are here, too. While these upcoming 90 plus minutes are all about soccer, CCFC is more than just a soccer club and Truist Point is more than just a stadium in a small town. Truist Point stadium was born in 2016 out of the dire need of our city to revitalize its downtown to bring people and jobs back to its core. In 2022, out of fierce passion to bring more access to opportunity and to create more jobs in our core, CCFC was started is an independent club of MLS NEXT Pro. CCFC and the league are committed to driving a new era of North American soccer and offer exciting, unprecedented opportunities to players, coaches, and sports business professionals. CCFC is dedicated to the development and career advancement of every individual that comes to and through our club, not just our players. And through the vehicle of soccer, we are bringing people, yourself included, into the heart of our city to drive upward economic mobility so that every person in our community has access to opportunities that enrich their lives. We hope that you have an exceptional experience at our stadium, and we thank you for helping us grow our Carolina Core community and through the beautiful game!
PRINCIPAL OWNER OF CAROLINA CORE FC
A groundbreaking initiative that is set to revolutionize youth soccer development in our region. CCFC Academy is launching with the MLS NEXT league for the 2024 season starting with two teams - U13 and U14. We are proud to be the first non-MLS team to make our MLS N Academy free for each player, aiming to break down the financial typically associated with high-level youth soccer and provide young players with an unprecedented opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Operated under the Carolina Core Soccer Foundation, the Carolina Core FC Academy is committed to creating a level playing field where every child, regardless of their socioeconomic background, can chase their aspirations of a professional soccer career. Our academy’s revolutionary approach eliminates the pay-to-play model, ensuring that talent and potential, rather than financial means, become the primary factors in a player’s journey. This opportunity enables young athletes to compete against the best players in the country, in a league that has developed 90% of the United States Men’s National Team’s players.
Presented By
Following the merger of The Canadian Bank of Commerce and the Imperial Bank of Canada in 1961, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) was founded. Specializing in North American financial solutions, CIBC U.S. offers services for individuals, small businesses, and wealth management, as well as cross-border banking. With its headquarters in Chicago, CIBC U.S. is dedicated to building close, trusting relationships with clients and providing value to customers and their communities.
Carolina Core FC is proud to have CIBC U.S. as the official wealth management partner of The Foxes.
Our City Our University - Your City Your University YOUR CITY. YOUR UNIVERSITY.
Our High Point University family and our community look forward to cheering on the team and enjoying the games!
Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, by way of Washington, D.C., Roy Lassiter has always had a special connection to two things: soccer and his home state. After a lengthy professional career in Major League Soccer (MLS) and abroad in Europe and South America, Lassiter returns to his home state to coach a new independent club, Carolina Core FC, as it currently embarks on its inaugural season in MLS NEXT Pro.
“It’s been great to be back in North Carolina. My mother and father are still in Raleigh. I’ve grown up in North Carolina my whole life, going to middle school, high school, and college here. It’s been really great to come back here and be part of a professional soccer organization and be a leader within it.”
Born in Washington, D.C., Lassiter moved to North Carolina at an early age, settling down in the Raleigh area. A multi-sport athlete, the D.C. native displayed a strong affinity for soccer, leading him to more future success. While attending Athens Drive High School, Lassiter would lead the school Class 4-A State Championship while scoring 47 goals during the season on the way to being named North Carolina State 4-A Player of the Year and a high school All-American.
“I went to grade school at East Cary Middle School, then attended Athens Drive High School. I set a few records while I was there, scoring 47 goals during my senior season, which was an amazing accomplishment.”
Despite being a standout at Athens Drive, Lassiter would go straight from high school to a local Division III college, Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. During his time at LeesMcRae, the prolific forward would lead the college to a NCAA Division III National Championship in 1988. His stellar season and strong resolve led to him immediately signing with his hometown team, North Carolina State University.
“After choosing to attend Lees-Mcrae, it gave me a chance to not only understand that I had to work really hard in school but also to focus on my grades. Going to junior college really helped me focus on my priorities and time management. It really gave me an opportunity to do that. I did really well in school there, and I did really well on the soccer field as well. We won a championship there, and after that, NC State was interested in me, so I got a full scholarship to go there for my last two and a half years.”
Upon joining The Wolfpack, Lassiter was able to distinguish himself, being chosen to the 1st Team All-ACC Conference in 1990 as the league’s leading scorer, to the All-ACC Tournament Team, and to the All-American team. During his first season, NC State won the ACC Championship and advanced to the Final Four before falling to eventual national champion UCLA on penalty kicks. In that season, he scored an astounding 22 goals in 23 games. During his time at NC State, the resolute forward was named to the NSCAA All-South team in 1990 and 1991.
“I had some great players around me, and it was a lot of fun going to school there. I really enjoyed playing for them and being the top goal scorer there and in the country. Being named to All-ACC and being an All-American was very special to me. My time there has stuck with me a lot, because I was around a lot of good players, and I felt like I learned and grew the most as a soccer player at NC State.”
Following an outstanding college career, Roy’s contributions as a player at his alma mater were highlighted when he was selected to the Atlantic Coast Conference’s (ACC) Golden Anniversary Team for men’s soccer as one of the top 50 players during the league’s first 50 years.
“Being named to the 50th anniversary team is a great achievement for me and my family. When you talk about all the athletes that came through the ACC and NC State, to be a part of the 50th anniversary group is really special. I’ve been invited back recently to speak at NC State University and be a part of their continued growth and development within the sport. I take those accomplishments really seriously, and I think there are things you can tell other players and help them pursue their dreams, and also understand their dreams.”
Following his college success, Lassiter would begin his professional career in Costa Rica, playing for three different teams in three seasons before making the move to the Tampa Bay Mutiny of Major League Soccer.
In his first season with Tampa Bay, in 1996, Lassiter would win the Golden Boot (top scorer) in MLS with a whopping 27 goals. The record would stand for 22 years before being broken in 2018.
“I got to choose where I wanted to play, and it was between DC United and Tampa, so I chose Tampa. We were a tightly bonded team, and over time we became one of the best teams in the MLS. I ended up scoring 27 goals that season, which led the league. I won MVP, was in the best 11, and it felt like I won all the awards that year. That season really started my career in MLS. I led the league for the next eight years, so it felt really good. The league was just starting at that time, so it was something mutually beneficial for our team and the league.”
Lassiter would also go on to have a long spell with the U.S. Men’s National Team spanning eight years, from 1992 to 2000. Lassiter would go on to score four goals during his spell with the national team, including being named to the 1998 FIFA World Cup roster as an alternate.
“From then on, I was with the national team for eight years. I went on to be a member of the World Cup team in 1998 in France. I was teammates with Eddie Pope for five years as well. It was really fun. In 1996, I was runner up for the Player of the Year.”
Following his illustrious playing career, Lassiter embarked on his new journey as a coach. With his experience spanning many years and levels from youth to professional, Lassiter returned home to North Carolina to take a chance on a new independent team from High Point.
As the team continues its stretch of home games, including a stretch of five matches unbeaten, there is a lot of optimism surrounding the club and its prospects for the rest of the season.
“We need to fight with everything we’ve got, and that starts in training. It doesn’t start on matchdays; it starts in practice. Now, the boys are getting that winning mentality and have belief in themselves. I keep telling them they’re good and that we’re one of the best teams in the league; we just have to go out and show it. We still have things to do; we still have unsolved things and other things to fine-tune a little bit better, but we’re working at it. I’m really proud of the growth and development that the boys have shown so far.”
Growing up in North Carolina, Head Coach Roy has developed strong connections to the local community. He is a proud alum of NC State University, where he led the Wolfpack to the 1988 NCAA Championship Game. Following a prolific college career, he joined Major League Soccer, where he would go on to hold the MLS single-season scoring record with 27 goals until the record was broken in 2018. A regular for both club and country, Lassiter represented the US Men’s National Team, making 34 appearances and scoring four goals over the span of eight years. Beginning his post-playing career, Lassiter was the assistant coach for Houston Dynamo 2, as well as the Head Coach for the Houston Dynamo U-20 team for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, prior to joining Carolina Core FC.
A former international soccer star, Amado represented the Honduras National Team as captain and all-time cap leader. Guevara made an impressive 139 appearances scoring 27 goals for the Honduran National Team. Leading Honduras to a successful qualification campaign, Amado captained the side during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Very successful internationally, Guevara has many accolades domestically, including: MLS Best XI, MLS All-Star selection, MLS Golden Boot, and the MLS MVP award in 2004. An MLS legend, during his time in MLS, Amado scored an astounding 41 goals. Following his retirement, Guevara seamlessly transitioned into a coaching role, showcasing his passion for the sport. After coaching at various youth academy’s, Amado then became the Head Coach of Puerto Rico’s U20 team, eventually ascending into the position of Head Coach for the senior side.
JC Martinez brings a wealth of experience after being part of the Houston Dynamo’s Academy for seven years. Coach Martinez was the Head Coach of the MLS NEXT U13 Academy team, as well as an assistant coach for the Dynamo’s U20 team for 2 years. Martinez served as Roy’s assistant coach for Houston Dynamo U20s where he helped the team towards their first conference title and Round of 16 appearance. Coach Martinez has assisted with every age group in the academy level, and will bring his expertise to help as the team’s analyst.
Williams starred in Major League Soccer for Columbus Crew, New England Revolution, MetroStars, Chicago Fire - winning the Open Cup Championship in 2003. Williams would eventually join Real Salt Lake, leading them to the MLS Cup win in 2009. With 97 appearances and 13 goals, Williams was an integral member of the Jamaican Men’s National Team. Williams joins CCFC with ample experience as a Technical Director with FC Arizona, where he was responsible for the management and organization of the team as well as the dayto-day operations of the entire club. Williams also led the scouting department for Real Salt Lake, where he scouted and procured international and domestic talent.
After playing professionally in Jamaica, Ricketts moved to England to play for Bradford City AFC, making 108 total appearances over four years. Having started his international career in 1998, Ricketts made 100 appearances for the Jamaican National Team between 1998 and 2013. In the midst of a fantastic international career, he joined the LA Galaxy in 2010, and after a sensational first season in MLS, was awarded MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2010.The following year Ricketts helped lead the LA Galaxy to win the MLS Cup, alongside superstar teammates Landon Donovan and David Beckham. Ricketts would go on to win his second MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2013 while playing for the Portland Timbers. Following his retirement in 2017, Ricketts embarked on his managerial career, serving as the Goalkeeper Coach for FC Tulsa from 20172023, and the interim Head Coach for the 2022 season.
ANGEL AGUAS
JUAN PABLO RODRIGUEZ
YEKESON SUBAH
JESUS OREJUELA
PAPA NDOYE
JACOB EVANS
LUIS LUGO
ALENGA CHARLES
JOSUHA
DAVID “PACHITTOO” POLANCO
CARLOS MARIO DIAZ
JEREMIAH WHITE IV
IBRAHIM COVI
DEREK CUEVAS
KIKI GREGOIRE
TYLER FREEMAN
FACUNDO CANETE
DRAKE HADEED
FEDERICO STACHUK
SANTIAGO CAMBINDO
ROBERT BAILEY
OZZIE CISNEROS
JOHNNY BAZAES
HOUSTON, TEXAS
SAN JUAN, ARGENTINA
MONROVIA, LIBERIA
JAMUNDE, COLOMBIA
TIVAOUANE, SENEGAL
CHESTER, ENGLAND
VALENCIA, VENEZUELA
KIGOMA, TANZANIA
PUERTO
KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA
IBAGUE, COLOMBIA
POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
PARIS, FRANCE
BARCELONA, SPAIN
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS
CORDOBA, ARGENTINA
MIAMI, FLORIDA
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
IBAGUE, COLOMBIA
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
QUEENS, NEW YORK
ARYEH MILLER HIGH POINT, NORTH
LEONARDO FRUGIS AFONSO
PEP CASAS
RYAN CARMICHAEL
DAIRON REYES
TYE BARTON
SAMUEL BASABE
SANTIAGO GARCIA
VICTOR FUNG
CESAR ABADIA-REDA
DERREK MARTINEZ
ALEJANDRO FLORES DE LA PAZ
RICARDO MONTENEGRO
JACK PYMM
DYLAN MENDEZ
BRYAN DESTIN MARKUS STEINHAESER
KAMINSKI
LIBERIA (U17)
UNITED STATES (U15)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (U20 & U23)
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA (SENIOR TEAM)
UNITED STATES (U17)
ARGENTINA (U16)
UNITED STATES (U16 & U17)
UNITED STATES (U15)
(dah-lay) (dah-lay)
Truist Point is a multipurpose stadium located in High Point, NC and is home to your Carolina Core FC professional soccer team. The multipurpose stadium is bordered by Elm, Gatewood, and Lindsay Streets. Truist (formerly BB&T Corporation) is the facility naming rights partner – this landmark naming rights agreement began in 2019 and is a 15-year naming rights partnership.
It started with a vision– A symbol to promote community, unify all groups, and also look really cool on a soccer kit.
Introducing Matthew Wolff, graphic design and branding maestro with experience ranging from the design of World Cup kits for France and Nigeria to helping launch the first collaboration between Paris Saint-Germain and the Jordan Brand. After experiencing a cultured upbringing spanning multiple continents, Wolff drew inspiration for his work from his soccer career and surroundings.
“I grew up in Minneapolis and fell in love with soccer through playing and going to Minnesota Thunder (USL First Division) matches. When I was 10, my family moved to North London, and my love of soccer was taken to new heights,” articulated Wolff. “I returned to Minnesota for my last three years of high school and realized that soccer in America was still in its infancy compared to soccer in Europe. Over the years, I realized I wanted to help grow the game here in the US.”
Wolff finished his college playing career and graduated with a degree from Skidmore College. Following his undergrad career, Wolff went and obtained a degree from the world-renowned New York, Parsons School of Design in graphic design that helped further his passion for creating.
“Towards the end of college it became clear that my ability to impact American soccer was not going to be on the pitch, but in the design studio. I realized I wanted to combine my two loves — soccer and design — and try to pursue them as a career. I held design jobs at NYCFC and Nike Football before going out on my own,” said the Vermont Green FC co-founder.
With many projects available to take on and a lifetime’s worth of experience under his belt, Wolff found the inspiration to collaborate with Carolina Core FC in the way most ideas are conceived.
“I was out on a walk! Evan Mitz — who I’d met a few years prior — gave me a call and told me all about the vision for the club. It really interested me and I was keen to work with Evan,” noted the Minnesota native. “Shortly thereafter I was introduced to Ramsey and collectively we worked for a few months crafting the CCFC crest, colors, apparel and various other branding assets.”
Wolff has done tremendous work in helping to progress US Soccer at all levels. The talented graphic designer has worked with the United Soccer League, National Women’s Soccer League, and the highest level of professional soccer in the country, Major League Soccer. With soccer at the forefront of all his creations, his work with Carolina Core FC proved to be another monumental step in his career as it was the first MLS NEXT Pro team he’s worked with. The creation of a club’s crest can serve as a catalyst for many organization’s ascent or demise, so it was imperative that this high-level of responsibility was entrusted to the right person.
“Like any relationship, communication and trust are key. I’m grateful that CCFC were wonderful partners throughout this process. The CCFC team put a lot of trust in me and the design process was a smooth one,” said the former Nike designer. “I think it’s important to understand the community that the crest will represent. Ideally the club (and by extension the crest) will represent something greater than the 11 players on the pitch.”
With the club entering the MLS NEXT Pro league for its inaugural season as an independent club, establishing its own unique identity was key. The crest has to repress soccer while still maintaining the creative lifestyle branding associated with things off the pitch, helping to explain what led to the now prominent fox.
“Soccer crests are avatars of self-identification. I believe that someone who looks at the crest of their local team should see some of themselves and their community in it,” explained Wolff. As CCFC embarks on its inaugural set of home matches, the newly created crest looks to serve as a point of unity that everyone can look toward as a beacon of light. “I believe that football clubs should be a reflection of their community. The crest is an illustration of that reflection,” said the heralded graphic designer.
Inter Miami CF II, formally Fort Lauderdale CF, is the affiliate team of MLS club Inter Miami CF. The club is based in Miami, Florida, and plays its home games at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, next to Inter Miami CF’s 50,000-squarefoot training center. Inter Miami CF II is one of 21 inaugural teams that joined MLS NEXT Pro in 2022. Inter Miami CF II are managed by Federico Higuaín, who played for a number of MLS teams during his career, including D.C. United, Columbus Crew, and Inter Miami CF. Higuaín also played professionally in Turkey, Mexico, and Argentina during his 19-year career. Last season, Inter Miami CF II finished 13th in the Eastern Conference.
