The foundation for our 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign is officially set. Following three high-intensity matches at The Point, Carolina Core FC has concluded its preseason slate. With a mix of familiar faces and exciting new prospects, the roster moves toward the regular season with a hunger for the road ahead.
The Results
- CCFC 1 - 2 FC Cincinnati 2: New signing Jair Caiza made an immediate impact, with the midfielder opening his CCFC account just after the half-hour mark.
- CCFC 1 - 0 Inter Miami II: The squad secured a clean sheet victory in the second preseason match of the year, with returning forward Antonio Pineda finding the back of the net in the second half to secure the win.
- CCFC 0 - 3 Crown Legacy FC: Important minutes were logged for a lot of our new faces as we closed out our preseason slate of matches.
Building the Core
Over these three games, fans saw exciting signs of what’s to come in 2026. Between Pineda finding his scoring touch, Caiza making an immediate impact on the scoresheet, and a disciplined clean sheet against Inter Miami II, the foundations are coming together for the season ahead.
"Preseason showed we’ve got real potential and strong character. We created chances, competed hard, and had some good stretches of organization," said head coach Donovan Ricketts.
"At the same time, it’s a new team, players are still learning each other’s tendencies, and the technical staff is using these games to evaluate partnerships and combinations across the field. It’s been a valuable process, and now the focus is turning those lessons into consistent performances and results."
Next Stop: New York
With the preseason in the rearview mirror, it’s time to play for points. We officially kick off our season on the road against NYCFC II on Saturday, February 28 at 7:00pm ET.
The match can be streamed LIVE on https://www.mlsnextpro.com/
