Asheville City SC

Asheville City SC
Full name Asheville City Soccer Club
Founded November 14, 2016
Stadium Greenwood Field, UNCA campus
Asheville, North Carolina
Capacity 3,000
Chairman Jimmy Wheeler
Head Coach Scott Wells & Billy Lesesne
League USL League Two
2023 1st, South Central Division
Playoffs: Conference Semifinals
Website Club website

Asheville City SC is an American amateur soccer team based in Asheville, North Carolina. Founded in 2016, the men's team plays in USL League Two, the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The women's team was founded in 2017 and played in the Women's Premier Soccer League until joining the newly-formed USL W League for the 2022 season. The team colors are blue and white.

History

Asheville City SC was announced as a National Premier Soccer League expansion team on November 14, 2016. On the day of the announcement, the ownership group was announced: Chairman/CFO Jimmy Wheeler, President Ryan Kelley, General Manager Allen Bradley, Director of Revenue Management Jordan Vance, Director of Community Outreach Josh Yoakum, and Director of Communications Andrew Hunter. All members of the ownership group are Western North Carolina natives.

The same day of the announcement City SC announced that Gary Hamel was going to serve as the club's head coach. Hamel served as the head coach of the nearby Mars Hill University's men's soccer program. Hamel additionally served as an assistant coach for the Oregon State Beavers men's soccer program.

Asheville City SC also announced on its foundation date, that the club will play its home matches at Memorial Stadium in Downtown Asheville.

On December 5, 2016 the club announced it would compete in the East division of the Southeast Conference. On May 6, 2017, Asheville City won its first ever match in NPSL play.

On October 16, 2019 the club announced it would join USL League Two.

Colors and badge

The crest was designed with four elements in minds in order to represent the city of Asheville, North Carolina. The colors in the crest a "blue haze" and white. The blue haze color represents the blue hazy seen in the nearby Smoky Mountains, while the color white is the color of all colors, alluding to the spirit of inclusion of Asheville. The silhouette in the crest is of Asheville City Hall, which serves as a homage to the club's downtown location. The "AC" monogram in the logo is a reference to the sport of soccer's tradition in emblems over the last century. The "AC" stands for 'Asheville City' as well as used to recognize the city's love for the game.

Stadium

Asheville City plays at Greenwood Field on the UNC-Asheville campus.

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs Open Cup
2017 4 NPSL 3rd, Southeast East Division Conference Quarterfinals Ineligible
2018 4 NPSL 5th, Southeast Conference Conference Semifinals did not qualify
2019 4 NPSL 3rd, Southeast Conference Conference Final did not qualify
2020 4 USL League Two Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 4 USL League Two 4th, Deep South Division did not qualify did not qualify
2022 4 USL League Two 2nd, South Central Division Conference Semifinals did not qualify
2023 4 USL League Two 1st, South Central Division Conference Semifinals did not qualify

2022 Men's Roster

As of July 6, 2022

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK ARG Ryan Bilichuk
2 DF AUS Malcolm Ward
3 DF USA Caden Lawrence
4 DF CAF Bissafi Dotte
5 DF NED Dave Neijenhuis
6 DF USA Makel Rasheed
7 FW FRA Kemy Amiche
8 MF GER Oskar Lenz
9 DF USA Lucas Gonzalez
10 MF FRA Quentin Huerman
11 FW AUS Finn Ballard McBride
12 MF SEN Bachir Ndiaye
14 DF USA Steven James
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 FW GER Luca Erhardt
16 MF USA Asa Blake
17 MF USA Clay Obara
18 DF USA Josiah Blanton
19 DF USA Lorenz Hoover
20 MF USA Mason Cookus
21 FW ESP Daniel Cerezo
22 MF USA Aidan O'Brien
23 MF USA Ryan Baer
24 GK USA Sean Green
25 GK USA Will Watson
26 MF JPN Kyoji Hata
27 MF JPN Hayuki Yamazaki
28 DF USA Jason Gun

2023 Women's Roster

Asheville City SC
Full name Asheville City Soccer Club
Founded November 2, 2017
Stadium Greenwood Field, UNCA Campus
Asheville, North Carolina
Capacity 3,000
Chairman Jimmy Wheeler
Head Coach Andy McNab
League USL W League
2019 2nd, Conference Carolinas South
Playoffs: Conference Finals
Website Club website
As of October 12, 2023

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
0 GK USA Lexi Dooley
1 GK USA Sophie Hefner
2 DF AUS Jasmine Barry
3 MF USA Estella Gajarsky-Prado
4 MF USA Barrett Eidson
5 DF USA Anna Doane
7 DF USA Sage Branch
8 MF USA Azalea Mihailovich
10 FW USA Taylor Gardner
11 DF GER Sina Anger
13 MF USA Addie Cooper
14 MF USA Daysha Chaney
15 DF GER Julia Hüsch
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 DF USA Ashley Macfarlane
17 DF USA Shae Hassig
18 MF USA Lizzie Ball
19 FW USA Kendall Powell
20 DF USA Emilee Nooney
21 MF USA Ava Bjorkman-Tracy
22 DF USA Jordan Schaetzly
23 MF USA Kaiya Boyd
24 MF USA Kylie Kroese
25 FW USA Karlee Benz
27 MF JPN Nao Kawasaki
28 MF USA Lillian Morrison
32 GK USA Gracie Murray

Former players

Rivalries

Asheville City competes with Chattanooga FC for the "Blue Ridge Derby". Asheville City also competes in the "Carolina Clasico" with Greenville FC.

Staff

Position Staff
Chairman/CFO Jimmy Wheeler
President Ryan Kelley
General Manager Tim Bleckiki
Director of Revenue Management Jordan Vance
Director of Community Outreach Allen Bradley
Director of Communications Kristy Kepley-Steward
Head Coach Scott Wells
Assistant Coach Joe Barber
Assistant Coach Matthew McArthur
Assistant Coach Guy Campbell

Last updated: July 6, 2017
Source: Asheville City SC