CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Independence Soccer Club has appointed Dave Carton as the new head coach of Independence SC’s USL League Two team, Charlotte Independence 2.
Carton will begin the job immediately as he chooses a roster and staff and preps for Independence 2’s inaugural season in League Two this coming May.
"I’m very proud to take on the role of head coach, and to lead the program in what will be our club’s first year in the league," said Carton. "I have always felt that this phase of a player’s development has been underserved in recent times, and I am very excited that our club can provide this platform for our players. This is an excellent league, which will expose our players to the next step in their development. This program is an integral part of what makes our club unique in our soccer community, and I look forward to working with the players and staff to make a very real impact in this league."
Carton, with 15 years of experience as a coach, and director of clubs in North Carolina and South Carolina, becomes the first-ever head coach to take the reins of Independence 2. In addition, he is the Technical Director for Independence SC where he is responsible for club curriculum and player development among other duties.
"Dave [Carton] is a natural choice for the position, stated Thomas Finlay, Independence Soccer Club’s Chief Executive Officer. "He is qualified, soccer smart, and motivated, and will play a significant role in how we integrate our youth club with the pro team as well as unifying the soccer community. This is purely a reflection of the club's commitment to player development for all players."
Independence 2 provides a professional environment to help bridge the development gap between the club’s Academy and its USL Championship team, the Charlotte Independence. Carton and his staff will help introduce Independence SC’s Academy players to the professional platform through the summer months, integrating them with current high-level college players that are alumni of the club, and USL professional prospects, as part of the Independence’s Player Pathway.
The program, which will compete in the Deep South Division in League Two’s Southern Conference, will allow Independence SC to align and underscore the Independence’s professional playing style and identity with the USL Championship, completing the club’s Development Pyramid, and providing players with the complete Path 2 Pro experience.
"The goal of the program is to link and connect the work we are doing with the Academy, with what Mike (Jeffries) is doing with the first team," added Carton. "We will build the squad primarily around top Academy players and Independence SC Alumni that are currently competing in their college programs. The aim here is to knit the club together, building on an already existing emotional connection, but also provide a feeling of belonging among the players that is very often missing at this level of play. This facet of the program motivates me greatly, and I believe will create a unique USL 2 environment that our players and members can be proud of."
A native of Wexford, Ireland, Carton graduated from Winthrop University with a BA in History, followed by a master’s degree in History in 2010, receiving a second master's degree in International Sports Management from the Johan Cruyff Institute for Sports Management in 2015. After graduating, Carton joined the coaching staff at Winthrop. In his three years on staff, the Eagles won a Regular Season Championship and two Big South Conference Championships.
Additionally, Carton spent 12 years at Discoveries Soccer Club where he was an Academy Director, Director of Coaching, and Executive Director.
Carton holds a USSF National “A” license, USC Premier license, and a Master Coach Diploma from the United Soccer Coaches.
For more information regarding Carton and Independence 2, visit independencesoccer.club. Additional information will be forth coming directly to Independence SC’s members.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Independence Soccer Club has appointed Dave Carton as the new head coach of Independence SC’s USL League Two team, Charlotte Independence 2.
Carton will begin the job immediately as he chooses a roster and staff and preps for Independence 2’s inaugural season in League Two this coming May.
“I’m very proud to take on the role of head coach, and to lead the program in what will be our club’s first year in the league,” said Carton. “I have always felt that this phase of a player’s development has been underserved in recent times, and I am very excited that our club can provide this platform for our players. This is an excellent league, which will expose our players to the next step in their development. This program is an integral part of what makes our club unique in our soccer community, and I look forward to working with the players and staff to make a very real impact in this league.”
Carton, with 15 years of experience as a coach, and director of clubs in North Carolina and South Carolina, becomes the first-ever head coach to take the reins of Independence 2. In addition, he is the Technical Director for Independence SC where he is responsible for club curriculum and player development among other duties.
“Dave [Carton] is a natural choice for the position, stated Thomas Finlay, Independence Soccer Club’s Chief Executive Officer. “He is qualified, soccer smart, and motivated, and will play a significant role in how we integrate our youth club with the pro team as well as unifying the soccer community. This is purely a reflection of the club’s commitment to player development for all players.”
Independence 2 provides a professional environment to help bridge the development gap between the club’s Academy and its USL Championship team, the Charlotte Independence. Carton and his staff will help introduce Independence SC’s Academy players to the professional platform through the summer months, integrating them with current high-level college players that are alumni of the club, and USL professional prospects, as part of the Independence’s Player Pathway.
The program, which will compete in the Deep South Division in League Two’s Southern Conference, will allow Independence SC to align and underscore the Independence’s professional playing style and identity with the USL Championship, completing the club’s Development Pyramid, and providing players with the complete Path 2 Pro experience.
“The goal of the program is to link and connect the work we are doing with the Academy, with what Mike (Jeffries) is doing with the first team,” added Carton. “We will build the squad primarily around top Academy players and Independence SC Alumni that are currently competing in their college programs. The aim here is to knit the club together, building on an already existing emotional connection, but also provide a feeling of belonging among the players that is very often missing at this level of play. This facet of the program motivates me greatly, and I believe will create a unique USL 2 environment that our players and members can be proud of.”
A native of Wexford, Ireland, Carton graduated from Winthrop University with a BA in History, followed by a master’s degree in History in 2010, receiving a second master’s degree in International Sports Management from the Johan Cruyff Institute for Sports Management in 2015. After graduating, Carton joined the coaching staff at Winthrop. In his three years on staff, the Eagles won a Regular Season Championship and two Big South Conference Championships.
Additionally, Carton spent 12 years at Discoveries Soccer Club where he was an Academy Director, Director of Coaching, and Executive Director.
Carton holds a USSF National “A” license, USC Premier license, and a Master Coach Diploma from the United Soccer Coaches.
For more information regarding Carton and Independence 2, visit independencesoccer.club. Additional information will be forth coming directly to Independence SC’s members.
ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE SOCCER CLUB: In April 2019, the Charlotte Independence announced a historic formation of the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club (Independence SC). Independence Soccer Club is one of the top-10 largest, youth-to-professional clubs in the United States with a player network of close to 12,000 members, formed from existing youth soccer clubs of Carolina Rapids Soccer Club, Discoveries Soccer Club, and Lake Norman Soccer Club. Together, Independence Soccer Club is positioned to build a better club in serving the surrounding Charlotte-area soccer communities.
Independence Soccer Club is a comprehensive soccer club with playing levels for boys and girls ranging from recreation levels, ECNL, NPL, USL (United Soccer League) Academy, USL League Two, to the USL Championship. The creation of Independence Soccer from Carolina Rapids Soccer Club, Discoveries Soccer Club, and Lake Norman Soccer Club allows for pooled resources from all clubs, which effectively elevates player experiences and club programming, increases in coaches development opportunities, and strengthened partnerships with local municipalities and sponsors. The affiliation with the Charlotte Independence professional soccer team provides players a clear pathway to the highest level of professional soccer. The Charlotte Independence currently plays in the United Soccer League Championship at the Sportsplex at Matthews and is focused on building the profile of the club through culture, community and performance as the team moves to a revitalized 10,000-seat American Legion Memorial Stadium in the spring of 2021.
The creation of Independence Soccer Club has allowed for pooled resources from all legacy clubs, which has effectively elevated player experiences, expanded club programming, increased coaching development opportunities, and strengthened partnerships with local municipalities and sponsors. It has also enhanced marketing efforts, increased sponsorship opportunities, and facilitated future infrastructure development in every single community associated with the club.
Social: Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE SOCCER CLUB: In April 2019, the Charlotte Independence announced a historic formation of the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club (Independence SC). Independence Soccer Club is one of the top-10 largest, youth-to-professional clubs in the United States with a player network of close to 12,000 members, formed from existing youth soccer clubs of Carolina Rapids Soccer Club, Discoveries Soccer Club, and Lake Norman Soccer Club. Together, Independence Soccer Club is positioned to build a better club in serving the surrounding Charlotte-area soccer communities.
Independence Soccer Club is a comprehensive soccer club with playing levels for boys and girls ranging from recreation levels, ECNL, NPL, USL (United Soccer League) Academy, USL League Two, to the USL Championship. The creation of Independence Soccer from Carolina Rapids Soccer Club, Discoveries Soccer Club, and Lake Norman Soccer Club allows for pooled resources from all clubs, which effectively elevates player experiences and club programming, increases in coaches development opportunities, and strengthened partnerships with local municipalities and sponsors. The affiliation with the Charlotte Independence professional soccer team provides players a clear pathway to the highest level of professional soccer. The Charlotte Independence currently plays in the United Soccer League Championship at the Sportsplex at Matthews and is focused on building the profile of the club through culture, community and performance as the team moves to a revitalized 10,000-seat American Legion Memorial Stadium in the spring of 2021.
The creation of Independence Soccer Club has allowed for pooled resources from all legacy clubs, which has effectively elevated player experiences, expanded club programming, increased coaching development opportunities, and strengthened partnerships with local municipalities and sponsors. It has also enhanced marketing efforts, increased sponsorship opportunities, and facilitated future infrastructure development in every single community associated with the club.
Social: Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE: The Charlotte Independence professional soccer team joined the United Soccer League (USL) Championship as an expansion team in September 2014. An ownership group led by Jim McPhilliamy, the President & Managing Partner of Major League Lacrosse’s Charlotte Hounds, acquired the USL franchise rights from the Charlotte Eagles. McPhilliamy and his investment group founded Queen City Sports Club with the goal of making Charlotte a better place to live through annual increases in both the quality and quantity of events that are provided for the community.
In the fall of 2018, Queen City Sports Club and the Charlotte Independence signed a 10-year lease to move to American Legion Memorial Stadium following a revitalization of the historic landmark set for the spring of 2021. The Independence is focused on building the profile of the club through culture, community and performance as the team moves to American Legion Memorial Stadium. For details on 2021 Season Memberships, visit https://www.charlotteindependence.com or call 704-206-1515.
Social: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE: The Charlotte Independence professional soccer team joined the United Soccer League (USL) Championship as an expansion team in September 2014. An ownership group led by Jim McPhilliamy, the President & Managing Partner of Major League Lacrosse’s Charlotte Hounds, acquired the USL franchise rights from the Charlotte Eagles. McPhilliamy and his investment group founded Queen City Sports Club with the goal of making Charlotte a better place to live through annual increases in both the quality and quantity of events that are provided for the community.
In the fall of 2018, Queen City Sports Club and the Charlotte Independence signed a 10-year lease to move to American Legion Memorial Stadium following a revitalization of the historic landmark set for the spring of 2021. The Independence is focused on building the profile of the club through culture, community and performance as the team moves to American Legion Memorial Stadium. For details on 2021 Season Memberships, visit https://www.charlotteindependence.com or call 704-206-1515.
