Carolina Core FC added a dangerous goalscorer to their roster for 2024.
Papa Ndoye joined the Eastern Conference club for the upcoming season, signing a one-year contract. The 24-year-old makes the move to Carolina after spending the last two MLS NEXT Pro seasons with Houston Dynamo 2.
“Papa comes to Carolina Core FC after a dominant season last year in MLS NEXT Pro, scoring 14 goals from the wing position,” said Head Coach Roy Lassiter. “He is a powerful striker that likes to take on players and looks for opportunities to score.”
The Senegalese forward registered 19 goals and four assists in 46 appearances for Dynamo Dos. Ndoye registered hat tricks in back-to-back matches in 2023, being named MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchday for Matchdays 19 and 20.
Here is a closer look at the rest of the recent MLS NEXT Pro news:
NYCFC II transfers MD Myers to USL side Charleston Battery
NYCFC II will head into the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season without their leading goalscorer from 2023.
MD Myers was transferred to USL Championship side Charleston Battery, both clubs announced. NYCFC drafted Myers with the 66th overall pick in the third-round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft before sending him to NYCFC II.
Myers’ 19 goals earned him co-Golden Boot accolades last season, while the forward was also named in MLS NEXT Pro’s Best XI last season. He also added five assists in 28 appearances for the Eastern Conference side.
“We would like to thank MD for his contributions to the Club this past season,” Sporting Director David Lee said. “This transfer shows the growing importance and benefit of MLS NEXT Pro in providing more pathways and opportunities for players to establish themselves in the professional ranks and help them reach their footballing potential. I’m proud that New York City FC II, under the leadership of Matt Pilkington and supported by an outstanding staff, continues to establish its role as the best place for player development for young talent across the U.S."
Whitecaps FC II sign Jeevan Badwal to MLS NEXT Pro contract
Jeevan Badwal became the newest member of the Whitecaps FC 2 roster.
The 17-year-old signed a contract with the Canadian club on Thursday ahead of the new campaign. Badwal made eight appearances for Whitecaps FC 2 last season and also featured in the 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game.
"I am very excited and honored to have received a professional contract from Whitecaps FC," said Badwal. "It means a lot coming through the academy and growing within the system. I would like to thank my family, especially my parents, my teammates who have helped me excel, and my past coaches helping me grow. Thank you for all your support as I will keep on pushing!”
Badwal becomes the 12th Canadian teenager to be signed to a professional contract since Whitecaps FC 2’s involvement in MLS NEXT Pro.
Huntsville City FC adds six players for upcoming season
Huntsville City FC bolstered their roster in a big way ahead of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season.
Six players were signed by the Eastern Conference club on Monday, giving head coach Jack Collison ample talent to call on this season. Defender Kessy Coulibaly and Tomás Ritondale, midfielders Patrick Amarh and Sergi Oriol, and forwards Ronald Alexis Cerritos and Maximus Ekk are all new members of the squad.
“These players all have high ceilings and instantly add valuable experience to our club,” Collison said. “We believe each of these individuals will help us build on past success and contribute valuable minutes toward our goal of excelling at an attacking brand of soccer, making the playoffs, and developing a deep pipeline of talent for the Senior Team in Nashville.”
Huntsville City FC now has 10 players signed for 2024.
Austin FC II adds Aaron Cervantes, Anthony Garcia on free agent deals
Austin FC II made a pair of free agent signings on Wednesday, adding Aaron Cervantes and Anthony Garcia to the mix.
Garcia signed a two-year contract with the reigning MLS NEXT Pro Cup winners while Cervantes is signed through 2024 only.
García, 20, spent 2023 playing in the youth system of Liga MX’s Santos Laguna. He scored three goals in 14 appearances for Santos Under-23 side during the 2023/2024 Liga MX U-23 Apertura. Prior to his move to Mexico, Garcia played two seasons at La Sierra University.
The 21-year-old Cervantes is a product of the LA Galaxy Academy. He signed with Orange County SC in March 2018 at 15-years-old, making him at the time the youngest professional player in club history.
After a spell away at Scottish giants Rangers, Cervantes returned to LA Galaxy II in 2023 and made one league appearance for them last season.
Nicolas Rincon signs with Crew 2 for 2024 season
Nicolas Rincon became the latest Columbus Crew academy player to make the jump to MLS NEXT Pro. Rincon signed a one-year contract with Crew 2 for the upcoming season, the club announced. Rincon originally joined Crew 2 in 2023 on an amateur deal from North Carolina FC and featured in two league matches during the season.
"We are excited to officially sign Nico for the 2024 season, a player with great talent and a tremendous amount of potential,” said Columbus Crew 2 General Manager Corey Wray. “Nico is a very creative, crafty, and exciting player that should flourish in our system. It’s been great to see him refine his game with our Academy’s UPSL squad this past season, and we look forward to his opportunity to continue to develop and positively impact the team. As part of his development pathway, we would also like to thank John Bradford and the staff at North Carolina FC for their great work with Nico prior to his arrival in our academy.”
With the Crew Academy in 2023, Rincon competed with the Crew Academy UPSL squad, featuring in 13 matches and recording four goals. Prior to his move to Columbus, Rincon featured in 12 USL League One matches for North Carolina FC, logging 415 minutes, one goal, and two assists.
Rapids 2 sign midfielder Antony Garcia
Colorado Rapids 2 made a loan signing ahead of the 2024 season, acquiring Antony Garcia from Costa Rican side FC Moravia.
Garcia’s loan runs through the 2024 season and also includes a club option for 2025. He most recently was loaned to Honduran club Motagua, where he recorded two assists in six appearances.
He also spent time with C.D.S. Vida where he totaled three goals and two assists in 41 appearances.
“Antony can come from a variety of attacking positions to create goals and assists. He has great experience both at the international and first division levels in Honduras and it is our belief he can have an immediate impact in our system,” said Rapids 2 General Manager Brian Crookham.
On the international level, Garcia has earned one cap for the Honduran national team.
Chattanooga FC adds midfielder Callum Wilson from Halifax Wanderers
Chattanooga FC bolstered their midfield options in a major way on Friday.
Callum Wilson joined the expansion side from Canadian Premier League side Halifax Wanderers, the club announced. The English midfielder’s move to Chattanooga FC represents the first completed incoming international transfer in club history.
Watson made 25 appearances in the CPL last year for Halifax, scoring three goals and recording one assist.
“I’m really excited about joining the club and being at the start of its next step going into MLS NEXT Pro,” said Watson. “I’ve been aware of CFC since my early days in the States when playing out here for college, so to now be a part of it is really exciting for me. The fan base speaks for itself. They turn out in numbers and show tremendous support, so I can’t wait to hear them really turn up the volume for this upcoming season.”
Prior to his move to the CPL, Watson spent five years in Colchester United’s youth academy before moving over to AFC Sudbury in 2016. He then moved to the United States in 2018 to play for Hastings College in the NAIA before transferring to Creighton University for two seasons in NCAA Division 1.
Chicago Fire II adds David Poreba on season-long loan
David Poreba is back in MLS NEXT Pro and will remain in the Eastern Conference for a second-consecutive season. Poreba joined Chicago Fire II on a season-long loan from Polish club Stal Mielic, the clubs announced. Poreba’s loan also includes an option for a permanent move.
The 21-year-old joins Fire II after previously playing with Crown Legacy FC during the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season. Poreba served as captain of Crown Legacy FC, making 29 appearances, scoring six goals and adding five assists.
“We’re eager to welcome another promising Chicago-born player to our roster,” said Chicago Fire FC II Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier. “His mentality and ability to control the midfield shows his level of confidence and skill. We feel that he can be an important piece to what we are trying to build within our Club.”
Born and raised in Chicago, Poreba returns to the Windy City after beginning his career as a member of the Chicago Fire Academy. He also was a member of Chicago FC United’s Academy and made two senior appearances for Stal Mielic.
LAFC2’s Tony Leone joins Liga MX side Monterrey
Young defender Tony Leone has taken his talents to Liga MX.
The former LAFC2 joined Monterrey on a three-year deal, the club announced. Leone, 19, made 10 appearances for LAFC2 during the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season, logging 539 minutes of play.
Leone also featured for USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights FC in 2021 while on loan from LAFC.
On the international level, Leone has featured for several Mexico youth national teams. He has featured for both the Mexico Under-20 and Under-23 national teams in multiple competitions.
St. Louis CITY2 re-signs Wan Kuzain
Wan Kuzain is back for St. Louis CITY2.
Kuzain signed a one-year contract for 2024, which also includes a one-year option for 2025.
He made 28 appearances last season for CITY2, totaling five goals and five assists for the Western Conference club. In total, Kuzain has scored 11 goals and added 10 assists in 57 combined MLS NEXT Pro appearances.
Kuzain’s return is major news for Bobby Murphy’s squad this season.
ATL UTD 2 adds Ashton Gordon on one-year deal
Atlanta United 2 made Ashton Gordon their latest signing ahead of the 2024 league campaign.
Gordon signed a one-year contract with ATL UTD 2 and will become part of the first-team roster in 2025. His first-team contract will run through 2026 and includes options for 2027 and 2028.
The 16-year-old joined Atlanta United’s Academy in January 2019 and played last season with the Under-17s. He helped lead Atlanta to an MLS NEXT Cup championship in the Under-16 age division in June 2023, leading the team with four goals during the playoff rounds of the tournament.
Eligible for Jamaica’s national team, Gordon scored one goal in four appearances for the Reggae Boyz’s Under-17 team. All of those appearances came at the CONCACAF U-17 Championship.
Tacoma Defiance loans midfielder Antonio Herrera to Chivas de Guadalajara’s Under-23 team
Tacoma Defiance has loaned one of their promising midfielders to Mexico.
Antonio Herrera has joined Chivas de Guadalajara Under-23 squad through the remainder of the Mexican club’s season. The loan deal also includes an option to buy at the end of the campaign.
"We are incredibly fortunate to work with Chivas to further develop Antonio's potential as a player,” said Sounders FC Technical Director Henry Brauner. “We are excited to follow Antonio during his loan, and have full trust in Chivas to advance and accelerate his professional pathway."
The 19-year-old joined Sounders FC Academy in 2017 before signing a MLS NEXT Pro contract with Defiance prior to the 2023 season. He made 19 appearances for Tacoma last season, tallying one goal and one assist and helping the Defiance win a second-consecutive Pacific Division title.
Herrera has featured for both of Mexico’s Under-19 and Under-20 national teams.
Chattanooga FC adds goalkeeper Michael Barrueta
Barrueta signed a two-year deal with the expansion side through the 2025 season, the club announced. A Chattanooga native, Barrueta joined the Dalton State University Roadrunners in 2021 and proceeded to make 37 appearances over two seasons.
His honors include an NAIA First-Team All-American nod (2023), winning the SSAC Golden Glove award (2023), and being named to the SSAC Second Team All-Conference and All-Freshman Team in 2022.
“I’m very excited to be joining such an historic club with the best fans in the country,” said Barrueta. “I think it’s very important that CFC has such a close relationship with the community. As a player inspiring others or working with people throughout the community will only benefit Chattanooga.”
Revolution II signs defender Hesron Barry
New England Revolution II added defensive help in the form of Hesron Barry.
Barry signed a one-year contract for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season and will officially join the club later this month for preseason.
He most recently played collegiately at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, logging over 2,500 minutes played in two seasons. The two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year has also earned All-League First Team, United Soccer Coaches Association All-Region First Team, and Academic All-Horizon honors.
Barry also played at Barton Community College and California State University-Bakersfield.
