BY MIKE FUHRMAN
Statesville FC head coach Nick Brown got his first look at about 20 players on his opening day roster on Tuesday morning as the team began practice for its inaugural season.
He was excited by what he saw on the turf at Jennings Park as the squad went through a series of possession drills and played some small-side scrimmages.
“I thought it was a great first day. The intensity was high and the competition was good,” Brown said. “So I’m excited about the season.”
Brown, his staff and the players will only have a few days to practice before the National Premier Soccer League season opens on Saturday. Some of the players are not expected to arrive in Statesville until Friday, meaning they will not have a chance to practice before the first match.
Over the next two months Statesville FC will compete in the NPSL’s Southeast Conference. The new club will play 10 regular season matches against league rivals 865 Alliance, Bristol Rhythm AFC, Burlington United FC, Charlottetowne Hops FC, Greenville United and Mint Hill FC. Visit StatesvilleFootball.Club for the complete schedule.
What to Expect
Majority team owner Craig Hollis, who began efforts to land an NPSL expansion team a year ago, is excited and nervous about what lies ahead. The ownership group is working hard to make each home game a memorable experience for fans.
From securing the right to play on Statesville High School’s turf field and recruiting and signing players to lining up game day entertainment and food trucks and arranging for a kids zone, it’s been a massive undertaking.
“I’m beside myself,” Hollis said. “I have to pinch myself sometimes. We want to produce something really special, something people talk about for a long time.”
What he’s not stressed about is the caliber of players on the squad.
The Statesville FC roster includes “high-quality international players trying to get into the pro level and college players trying to fight for a pro-level contract,” Hollis said.
“It’s as good as you’re going to get for a small town. To have this level of play is really fantastic,” he added.
Statesville native and former MLS player Justin Moose, a minority owner, is expected to play for Statesville FC in the home opener.
“A whole new generation is going to fall in love with Justin Moose,” Hollis said. “I can’t wait to see that.”
Season Opener
Statesville FC will officially begin its inaugural campaign on Saturday, May 9, with a road game against Burlington FC. The match will be played at Fairchild Soccer Complex, located at 1497 Graham Street in Burlington. Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
I-40 Derby
The first chance to see Statesville FC in action at home is Tuesday, May 12, when 2025 NPSL champions Hickory FC travel to Statesville for an exhibition match hailed as the I-40 Derby. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Statesville High School. Tickets are only $5 for this game. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. The Kids Zone will be open and food trucks will be on site.
Home Opener
Statesville FC will host 865 Alliance, the NPSL team from Knoxville, Tenn., in its first ever home game on Saturday, May 16. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Statesville High School. Adult tickets (age 12 and up) are $12. Kids tickets (age 3-11) are $10.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. There will be a Kids Zone, and food trucks will be on site. The skies above Greyhound will be lit up at halftime with a drone show featuring 300 drones.
Red Buffalo Brewing Co. to release signature brew of Statesville FC
Red Buffalo Brewing Co., which will host a pre-game party before each home match, will officially release the official beer of Statesville FC — Stampede Ale — on Thursday, May 7. The brewery, located at 108 North Center Street, opens at 4:30 p.m. Statesville FC players and team representatives are expected to arrive at around 6 p.m.
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