North Carolina FC's journey from bottom of the table to hosting USL League One Final

By Louis Fernandez, WRAL Sports

Cary, N.C. — North Carolina FC will host in-state rival Charlotte Independence on Sunday in Cary for the USL League One Final. The path to (nearly) the top has been anything but easy, yet a moment like this is exactly what head coach John Bradford had in mind when he filled the role in 2021. It just took some time.

"Coming from 2021 and 2022 where obviously it was a struggle with a smaller budget and some first time players," Bradford said.

In 2021, it was seven wins, 17 losses and four draws.

Last place.

In 2022, it was eight wins, 16 losses and six draws.

Last place.

But this year, things are different. A lot different.

"It's still a combination of having young players that are developing and using North Carolina FC as a springboard, a platform," Bradford said.

Mixed in with experienced players like Rafa Mentzingen, who came from Chattanooga Red Wolves SC and finished All-League First Team, and Oalex Anderson, a finalist for Player of the Year and former Richmond Kicker, NCFC finished at No. 2 in USL League One, winning 17 matches, more than 2021 and 2022 combined. Bradford, by the way, is a finalist for Coach of the Year.

"This group of players, it's the youngest group in the league still with several guys that are in their 20s, 21s, early stages there, but everybody has a common positive character and comes to work," Bradford said.

Nelson Flores Blanco is one of those players. Originally joining NCFC from DC United Academy in 2017, Blanco was part of the club for two years before heading west and playing for two National Independent Soccer Association teams in California. He returned to the club in 2021.

"I didn't know anything about North Carolina and it's crazy now because now it's like my second home," Blanco said.

Born in El Salvador, Blanco's family now lives in Virginia. Hosting a league final is a full-circle moment for the midfielder turned defender.

"It means everything to me, having the opportunity to play a professional final and especially with the club that gave me the opportunity when I was 17, 18."

At 24 years old, he's changed, just like his team.

"He's always been driven and wanted to compete and develop and get better, but now I think he's even more intentional, more specific," Bradford said.

"Seeing his progression over the years, on and off the field frankly. He's just recently been married and maturing in other ways, but that's a great example of who we want to be at North Carolina FC and his growth has been phenomenal."

"I want to repay everything they've done for me here at the club," Blanco said.

Nelson Flores Blanco is a microcosm of what NCFC is and wants to become.

Even before his time as head coach, Bradford served and continues to serve as the director of the North Carolina FC Youth Academy, still continuing to train the clubs top youth players. Having players learn, mature and grow alongside the team is a dream.

"That's what clubs want around the world. They want an academy that's tied into their first team and provides opportunities. North Carolina FC is unique in the sense that we're fortunate we can do that," Bradford said.

Now add in NCFC elevating to the USL Championship, the sanctioned Division II soccer league, in 2024 and the recently announced partnership with Club de Fútbol Monterrey in Liga MX, there's a clear vision and path for growth with the team.

Simply having this turnaround and getting to the USL League One final is exciting and part of that vision, but Bradford says they're not happy with just showing up.

"It means quite a lot to be able to get to the final, have a successful season with a great group of players and great staff, great support from the club and be rewarded in the sense of getting to the final, but certainly not satisfied with just getting there, want to get a result."

"That makes it a little sweeter for us, two years of suffering and now being in the finals," Blanco said.

"It makes it a little more emotional, not only for us, but for the fans as well, because the fans also suffered with us and now they're in the finals and hopefully we celebrate at the end of the 90 minutes or 120 minutes."

North Carolina FC and Charlotte Independence will get started at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at WakeMed Soccer Park.