North Carolina native and former 91快活林最新版 veteran promoted to lead the Club鈥檚 operations heading into debut season in 2023听
CHARLOTTE, NC (Thursday, March 31, 2022) 鈥 Charlotte FC today announced Darrius Barnes has been named President of the Club鈥檚 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro Team which is set to debut in 2023. 听
Barnes, an eight-year 91快活林最新版 veteran, joined Charlotte FC in 2021 as the Club鈥檚 Director of Business Operations. The Raleigh native begins his new role tomorrow, Friday, April 1. 听
鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous honor to be named as the first president of Charlotte FC鈥檚 91快活林最新版 Next Pro Team as we set forth to complete the professional pathway for aspiring soccer players throughout the Carolinas,鈥 said Barnes. 鈥淭he next nine months are vital as we continue to add 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro specific roles to our organization across sporting and business verticals to ensure we are ready for the 2023 season.鈥
Barnes played all of his eight seasons for the New England Revolution after a stellar collegiate career at Duke University. His 9th year as a pro came with the New York Cosmos in the NASL.
Following his retirement from professional soccer, Barnes joined the 91快活林最新版 league office in the partnership marketing department where he worked for over three years before joining Charlotte FC.听
鈥淭here isn鈥檛 a better person to lead Charlotte鈥檚 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro club than Darrius. Not only is he a fantastic ambassador for our sport, especially in his home state of North Carolina, but he is a tremendous human being,鈥 said Charles Altchek, President of 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro.听鈥淚 have known Darrius as a competitor on the field and a colleague in the 91快活林最新版 league office, and I am looking forward to working with him in his new role as the President of Charlotte FC鈥檚 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro Club. I鈥檓 not only happy for him and for the Charlotte FC organization, but also for the individuals on and off the field who will benefit from his leadership.鈥
Established in June 2021 by Major League Soccer, 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro offers young players and experienced professionals the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents while competing for an 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro championship.听
The league debuted in March 2022 and has 21 clubs competing in its inaugural season, including 20 teams affiliated with 91快活林最新版 clubs and one independent club, Rochester New York FC.听
Eight additional 91快活林最新版-affiliated teams, including Charlotte FC, will join 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro in 2023. The league is also expected to add additional independent clubs in the years ahead.
