Raleigh CASL Elite
 |
|
| Full name | North Carolina FC U23 |
|---|---|
| Founded |
Raleigh CASL Elite (2002–2006) Cary Clarets (2008–2009) Carolina RailHawks U23s (2007; 2011–2015) Carolina RailHawks NPSL (2016) |
| Stadium |
WakeMed Soccer Park Cary, North Carolina |
| Capacity | 1,000 |
| Owner | Stephen Malik |
| Head Coach | Dewan Bader |
| League | Premier Development League |
North Carolina FC U23 is an American soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. It was founded in 2002 as the Raleigh Elite, and the current affiliate of North Carolina FC, a second division club in the United Soccer League. The team plays in the Premier Development League (PDL) (the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid), and previously in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) (fourth tier). The team was known as the Cary Clarets in 2008 and 2009; and went dormant for a year in 2010. As a member of the USASA League, the then-Carolina RailHawks U23's took the Men's Region III Championship in 2011, 2012, and 2013 and won the U-23's National Championship in 2011 and 2013. The team's colors are navy blue, gold, and cardinal red.
The Raleigh CASL Elite entered the PDL for the first time in 2002, and was run by the Raleigh-based Capital Area Soccer League (CASL). They finished their first competitive campaign second in the Mid-Atlantic Division (behind Williamsburg Legacy) with an 11–7–0 record; and made the playoffs. They overcame Northeast Division champions Vermont Voltage 1–0 in the Conference Semifinals before falling to the Cape Cod Crusaders in the Eastern Conference final. Raleigh enjoyed a brief foray into the US Open Cup thanks to their positive early season form, knocking out D3 Pro League side Carolina Dynamo 5–2 in the first round before losing 3–0 to A-League stalwarts Richmond Kickers in the second.
Raleigh Elite finished third in the Mid Atlantic Division in 2003, with an 8–8–2 record, 17 points behind divisional champions Richmond Kickers Future. Chris Norbet was Elite's top scorer, with seven goals; while John Izzo contributed three assists for the season.
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