The Charlotte 49ers men’s soccer team, coming off an American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship in 2023, is seeking sustained success with a roster that has been retooled rather than rebuilt.
“We have some good veterans in the back half of the team returning a lot of players that got good college experience,” said Head Coach Kevin Langan. “We’ve added some dynamic, exciting players moving forward mixed in with that senior core group. A team that is exciting, a team with pace, a team that is dynamic, a team that looks like it has several ways to score.”
Focusing forward
The AAC Championship talks have been left behind for last year's team, and the 2024 squad is solely focused on the impending season ahead.
“It’s completely in our rearview mirror now; it’s done; we’ve put it to bed early in the spring when the guys got their rings. It doesn’t get mentioned; it’s for the archives now, and we are absolutely eyes looking forward,” said Langan.
Pilcher anchoring the defense
Senior defender Ian Pilcher, one of the squad's captains and an anchor on the defense's backline, was named Preseason AAC Defensive Player of the Year.
He appreciates the honor but feels it’s more of a team award than an individual reward.
“It means a lot, it’s very exciting, it’s a good honor,” said Pilcher. “Being preseason defensive player this year speaks more to our backline as a whole. It's a tight four-unit with the goalie and our two defensive mids. So it's really an award for all of us.”
Team as a whole taking a big step
The Niners are returning all but four of their starters from their 2023 team while also bringing in 15 new players. This will allow the team to grow together and take a leap forward while integrating the new faces into the squad.
“Some of the core group that has come back have taken their game to another level they are ready to step up and fill some voids and some holes with players graduated, and some new guys have come in and done well,” said Langan. “It’s a team sport so there is no star the star is the team.”
Expectations
With Brigham Larsen, the team's leading point scorer from 2023 and unanimous Preseason All-Conference Selection, coming back to lead the offense, paired with the rest of the talented starting XI, there are high hopes for the 49ers.
Preseason polls have Charlotte set to finish in first place, with the AAC coaches poll earning six of eight first-place votes. With the AAC's 2023 regular season title champ SMU departing for the Atlantic Coast Conference, there is no reason the 49ers cannot find themselves atop the standings with their retooled roster.
Starting out with nearby Wildcats
Charlotte begins their season at home hosting across town opponent the Davidson Wildcats on Friday August 23 at 7 p.m. at Transamerica Field.
Langan has high hopes on what he wants to see from both Niner Nation and his squad.
“Season opener so we want to see the energy the passion the excitement, enthusiasm,” said Langan.
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