Carolina Core FC Tryouts: How to Get Scouted, Join the Team & Contact Coaches

Carolina Core FC Open Tryouts: 2026–2027

Carolina Core FC has operated an official professional open-tryout program designed to identify players who may be suitable for its MLS NEXT Pro team.

Current status: The latest professional open-tryout cycle is closed.

The club's official website states that its latest tryouts have finished and that successful participants are being contacted directly. Future dates will be announced through the club's website and social media.

Check Official Carolina Core FC Tryout Announcements

How Do Carolina Core FC Open Tryouts Work?

For its most recently published tryout process, Carolina Core FC described the following pathway:

1. Open tryouts: Eligible players register for a professional evaluation opportunity.

2. Coaching and scouting evaluation: Club technical staff assess participants during the tryout.

3. December invitational combine: Successful players from the open tryouts may receive invitations to an additional evaluation.

4. 2027 preseason evaluation: Players who impress at the invitational combine may be invited to preseason for further consideration.

This is the club's published pathway for the relevant recruitment cycle, not a guarantee that future tryouts will follow the same format.

An invitation to preseason does not guarantee a professional contract.

Carolina Core FC Tryout Requirements

The club's published professional tryout guidance included the following requirements:

• Age: Players must be at least 16 years old.

• Eligibility: Open to eligible male soccer players.

• Playing background: Players should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to compete at the professional level.

• Registration: Participants must complete the required registration and waivers.

• Equipment: Appropriate cleats, soccer socks, shorts, and shin guards.

• Travel: Players are responsible for their transportation and accommodation.

International players were not required to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to participate, but they were responsible for meeting applicable immigration and travel requirements.

College players should consult their school's NCAA compliance office before participating in professional evaluations.

Requirements, fees, and registration procedures may change for future events.

How to Get Scouted by Carolina Core FC

Carolina Core FC provides a professional development environment where players can compete in MLS NEXT Pro.

If you're trying to get scouted or earn a trial with the club, you should be prepared to demonstrate your ability against strong competition.

Here are five steps players can take:

1. Prepare professional match footage. Include recent highlights and full-match video demonstrating your ability in your primary position.

2. Create a soccer résumé. Include your age, position, current club, league, playing experience, and accomplishments.

3. Monitor official tryout announcements. Carolina Core FC has used open evaluations to identify potential players.

4. Research the coaching and recruitment staff. Identify the people involved in professional team operations.

5. Contact the appropriate staff member. Ask whether the club accepts external player submissions or has future evaluation opportunities.

Contacting a coach does not guarantee an invitation, but it can help you identify the appropriate recruitment process.

Carolina Core FC Coaching Staff and Contacts

Carolina Core FC appointed Jake Davis as its permanent Head Coach in August 2026.

Davis originally joined the club as a goalkeeper coach and analyst before becoming interim head coach in May 2026.

He previously worked with Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League, Lexington Sporting Club, and Canada Soccer's youth national teams.

The club's publicly listed coaching staff includes:

NamePositionJake DavisHead CoachDavid A. Hughes IIAssistant Coach

David A. Hughes II joined the club's technical staff in June 2026 and has experience with New England Revolution, Brown University, and collegiate soccer programs.

View Official Carolina Core FC Technical Staff

Who Handles Carolina Core FC Player Recruitment?

Professional clubs may involve coaches, scouts, and player personnel staff in evaluating potential signings.

Carolina Core FC's published tryout materials have identified Joe Lennarz as Head of Player Personnel and David A. Hughes II as Assistant Coach.

Players should verify current responsibilities before reaching out, since coaching and recruitment assignments can change.

How to Find Carolina Core FC Coach Emails

Cancha Labs provides a searchable directory of professional soccer coaches, technical staff, and available club contact information.

To find Carolina Core FC contacts:

1. Open the Cancha Labs soccer contact search engine.

2. Search for Carolina Core FC.

3. Review available coaching and technical staff listings.

4. Create an account and unlock available contact information with a Premium subscription.

Find Carolina Core FC Coach Emails

Not every staff member has a listed email or phone number. Contact availability varies, and Cancha Labs does not guarantee a response.

For general inquiries about the club's official tryout process, Carolina Core FC also publishes contact information on its official tryouts page.

How to Email Carolina Core FC About a Trial

If you're reaching out to a coach or recruitment representative, keep your message short, professional, and specific.

Subject: Carolina Core FC Player Inquiry — [Your Name] — [Position]

Hello Coach [Last Name],

My name is [Your Name]. I'm a [Age]-year-old [Position] currently playing for [Club and League].

I'm interested in opportunities to be evaluated by Carolina Core FC.

My playing background includes [Brief Relevant Experience], and I've included my highlight video below.

Highlight Video: [Link]

I understand the club has previously held professional open tryouts. Would you be able to share whether additional player evaluations or external submissions are being considered?

Thank you for your time.

[Your Name]

Personalize your message and avoid repeatedly contacting multiple staff members about the same inquiry.

Can You Join Carolina Core FC Without Playing in an MLS Academy?

Yes. Carolina Core FC is an independent MLS NEXT Pro club, and its professional tryout process has been open to eligible players from outside MLS academies.

The club has also signed players with experience at other professional clubs.

For example, Ryan Baer joined Carolina Core FC in June 2026 after playing for Richmond Kickers in USL League One and previously spending time with Tacoma Defiance.

His signing demonstrates that the club has recruited players with experience in other professional leagues.

Read Carolina Core FC's Ryan Baer Signing Announcement

Can UPSL or USL League Two Players Try Out for Carolina Core FC?

Players from amateur and pre-professional leagues may be eligible for the club's open evaluations if they meet the applicable requirements.

The club's published tryout guidance did not require every participant to have previous professional experience.

However, eligibility to attend a tryout is different from being selected for the team. Carolina Core FC evaluates players based on its own competitive standards and roster needs.

Carolina Core FC Academy vs. MLS NEXT Pro

Carolina Core FC has both a professional MLS NEXT Pro team and a youth development pathway.

Carolina Core FC — MLS NEXT Pro: The professional men's team, which has previously organized open tryouts and preseason evaluations.

Carolina Core FC Youth / MLS NEXT: The youth development pathway, with age-specific tryouts and player evaluations.

For younger players, the academy pathway may be more appropriate than professional team recruitment.

The youth program has announced supplemental November 2026 tryouts for eligible age groups and additional spring 2027 evaluations.

These youth tryouts are separate from the professional team's open-tryout process.

Explore Carolina Core FC Youth Tryouts

Carolina Core FC Tryouts and Coach Emails: Frequently Asked Questions

Does Carolina Core FC have open tryouts?

Yes. Carolina Core FC has organized professional open tryouts. As of October 29, 2026, its official website says the latest cycle has closed and that future dates will be announced.

How old do you have to be to try out for Carolina Core FC?

The club's published professional tryout requirements allowed eligible male players ages 16 and older. Future events may have different requirements.

How can I get scouted by Carolina Core FC?

Players can pursue official evaluations, develop experience in competitive leagues, prepare match footage, and research the club's recruitment process.

Who is the Carolina Core FC head coach?

Jake Davis was appointed the club's permanent Head Coach in August 2026.

How can I find Carolina Core FC coach emails?

Search Carolina Core FC on Cancha Labs to review available coaching and technical staff contacts. You can also consult the club's official website.

Can UPSL players try out for Carolina Core FC?

Eligible UPSL players may pursue professional tryout opportunities when registration is available. Selection depends on the club's requirements and player evaluation.

Can USL League Two players join Carolina Core FC?

Players with pre-professional experience may be considered for opportunities, subject to the club's evaluation and recruitment process.

Can international players try out for Carolina Core FC?

The club's published tryout guidance allowed international participants, provided they complied with applicable U.S. immigration and travel requirements.

Do you need an agent to try out for Carolina Core FC?

No. The club's published open-tryout process did not require players to have an agent.

Does emailing a Carolina Core FC coach guarantee a trial?

No. Contacting a coach provides a way to introduce yourself or ask about recruitment procedures, but it does not guarantee an evaluation or professional contract.

Find Carolina Core FC Coaches and Club Contacts

Whether you're researching Carolina Core FC tryouts, professional scouting opportunities, or coaching staff emails, understanding the club's recruitment process is an important first step.

Cancha Labs helps players search professional soccer club staff and available contact information.

Browse Carolina Core FC Coach Emails & Contacts

Last reviewed: October 29, 2026. Tryout announcements, coaching assignments, and recruitment procedures can change. Cancha Labs is an independent contact research service and is not affiliated with Carolina Core FC or MLS NEXT Pro.