Eddie Pope was recently interviewed by Urban Pitch, discussing his iconic career and his role in shaping the future of soccer in the Carolinas. Here are a few notable bits from his sit-down:
On the role of an independent club in MLS NEXT Pro
Urban Pitch: "In simple terms, what does it really mean to operate as an independent club within the MLS NEXT Pro system? Where do the Carolina Core stand right now, and how do you see the club fitting into the broader developmental structure tied to Major League Soccer?"
Eddie Pope: "As an independent club, we’re not affiliated with a specific MLS first team. Most MLS organizations have their own MLS NEXT Pro side, which allows them to move players up and down between the first team and NEXT Pro. They can also bring academy players into the professional environment and sign outside talent directly into their structure.
For us, it’s a bit different. We are effectively the first team, and we’re still building out the full academy pathway. Given how young the club is, the long-term vision is to develop players internally and move them from our academy into our professional side."
On bringing professional soccer to High Point
Urban Pitch: "What specifically attracted you to this position as Chief Sporting Officer?"
Eddie Pope: "For me, it really started with location. High Point, North Carolina is home — it’s where I grew up and developed as a youth player. I benefited from the local universities, soccer camps, club teams, and even playing down at the YMCA. The community poured into me, so the chance to help build professional soccer here felt meaningful.
This region deserves a professional club. North Carolina is a soccer hotbed, and that absolutely includes the High Point–Greensboro–Winston-Salem area and the greater Triad. So being able to bring the pro game to this market was a big part of the appeal.
On the financial flexibility of the independent model
Urban Pitch: "As an independent club within MLS NEXT Pro, how does that work financially? If Carolina Core were to sell a young player to Europe and receive a percentage of the transfer fee, does that revenue go directly to the club? Or is it shared within the broader MLS system, the way it traditionally works with MLS-owned teams?"
Eddie Pope: "You can never fully step outside the system. There is still some sharing involved when it comes to things like transfer revenue. That said, MLS NEXT Pro operates a bit differently from MLS itself, and that’s important.
For example, there’s no salary cap, no minimum, and no maximum. That gives clubs more flexibility in how they build their roster and manage their squad. That freedom matters, especially for an independent club like us. Because we’re not tied to an MLS first team, our players aren’t locked into a single pathway. They’re not limited to moving up within one specific MLS organization. That gives them, and us, more options."
To dive deeper into Eddie’s thoughts on the future of US Soccer and the growth of the Core, read the full interview on Urban Pitch here.
