CAROLINA CORE FC SIGNS ALEX SUTTON
CCFC WELCOMES GOALKEEPER, ALEX SUTTON, TO SQUAD AHEAD OF INAUGURAL 2024 MLS NEXT PRO SEASON
CAROLINA CORE, N.C. – Carolina Core FC, an independent club that will join MLS NEXT Pro in 2024, has signed 23 year-old, Alex Sutton.
“Alex is an exciting and wonderful talent. He has the necessary tools to be a top goalkeeper. I am looking forward to working with Alex and seeing his potential grow,” says Donovan Ricketts, Goalkeeper Coach.
Alex played his entire collegiate career with Lafayette College. In 2018, Alex’s breakout freshman season, the goalkeeper recorded 16 match starts and maintained a 0.803 save percentage (SV%). The following season, Alex started 19 matches and recorded 75 saves on the season. Additionally, the goalkeeper was named to the Patriot League Men’s Soccer Honor Roll for the first time in the 2019 season. Alex would go on to be named to the Patriot League Men’s Soccer Honor Roll every season of his college career.
During the 2021 spring season, Alex started all 8 of Lafayette’s games before the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the season, Alex was selected to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Second Team and the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American Second Team. In the fall season, Alex started 14 matches, recording 4 shutouts on the season.
His senior season, in 2022, Alex started 17 matches, recorded a 0.71 goals against average (GA/AVG) rating, and maintained a 0.778 SV%. His outstanding performance in preseason earned him selection as 2022 Patriot League Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year. Following the completion of the season, Alex was selected as All-Patriot League Second Team.
During Alex’s junior and senior season, the goalkeeper also played with United Soccer League 2 (USL2) side, Manhattan Soccer Club. Alex played with the club as a youth player where he became a two-time national champion before beginning his collegiate career. With the USL2 squad, Alex appeared in 8 matches during the 2021 season, and 13 matches during the 2022 season. The goalkeeper has a career total of 0.75 GA/AVG and a 0.865 SV%.
Following his collegiate career, Alex played with Maryland Bobcats FC for the 2023 season. The goalkeeper appeared in 20 matches and recorded 7 shutouts. Alex will join Carolina Core FC for their inaugural season. The team will play their home matches at Truist Point Stadium in downtown High Point, North Carolina.
ABOUT Carolina Core FC
Founded in 2022, Carolina Core FC is an independent professional men’s soccer club that will begin play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024. The club’s local owners are dedicated to community development through its on-field and off-field activities. Carolina Core FC has diligently worked behind the scenes to build together its experienced executive staff, including High Point Native, Eddie Pope as the Chief Sporting Officer. Eddie is a former U.S. Men’s National Team, MLS legend and USSF Hall of Famer. #CCFC will play its home matches in High Point, N.C. at Truist Point, the $38 million stadium located in the revitalized downtown social district. Supporters can join the club by securing a season seat and ordering Carolina Core FC merchandise at www.carolinacorefc.com.
ABOUT MLS NEXT Pro
Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT to MLS first teams. MLS NEXT Pro continues to grow the game through innovation and diversity, bringing professional soccer to new communities and creating opportunities both on and off the field. MLS NEXT Pro will celebrate its third season in 2024 with 29 teams, 27 MLS-affiliated and two independent, Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC. Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs will join in the years ahead, including Cleveland and Jacksonville Armada FC. The majority of MLS NEXT Pro’s matches are broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV as part of the groundbreaking partnership between Apple and MLS. For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit?mlsnextpro.com.