CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte FC had its inaugural match earlier this month, and the club is already looking ahead to develop the next generation of players through its Charlotte F.C. Academy. 

What You Need To Know

Charlotte FC had its inaugural game earlier this month

The club is already looking ahead at developing the next set of professional players

It started the Charlotte FC Academy to train soccer players for the pros

The club started this program to develop local athletes into professional players. 

Brian Romero is one of those players. 

At only 15, he already has his sight set on the pros. He says he’s been playing soccer his whole life, first taught by his dad, but knows the journey ahead won’t be easy. 

“It’s hard, really competitive here,” he said. "Everyone wants to be the first, the best one here, so that’s a good thing. Making me work harder.”

The Charlotte FC Academy hopes to provide an average of two players per year to MLS.