Two USL W League Final MVPs Sign with Carolina Ascent FC
CHARLOTTE, NC – Carolina Ascent FC has bolstered its squad by signing two standout former W League Final MVPs: goalkeeper Sydney Martinez, W League champion with South Georgia Tormenta FC in 2022, and forward Macey Bader, who lifted the title with NC Courage U23 in 2024. The duo joins the USL Super League club ahead of the 2025–26 season.
Martinez: Golden Glove Winner and Leader
Sydney Martinez captained Tormenta FC through all 11 matches in the 2022 W League season, earning six clean sheets and a goals-against average of 0.58, which secured her the Golden Glove Award. In the title match, she was named Final MVP after saving a crucial penalty and reacting to stop the rebound in the 111th minute, keeping the game level until her team secured the winner moments later.
Martinez continued her USL trajectory with Brooklyn FC during the league's inaugural season, making 11 appearances, tallying four clean sheets and 33 saves. She also holds eight caps with Puerto Rico's national team.
Coach Poole on Martinez
"We are excited to sign a player of Sydney's caliber… Everyone connected within the Super League knows what Sydney is capable of. She's been a top performer with her national team the last two or three years. I know Sydney will settle in with her teammates and our fans here in the Carolinas."
Bader: Rising Forward with Big Impact
Forward Macey Bader had fewer starts in her W League campaign—starting 4 of 10 matches—but still tied for second on the team with nine goals. Her performance in the final was pivotal: coming off the bench, she scored the go-ahead goal two minutes after entering and provided an assist five minutes later to earn Final MVP honors.
A UNC Charlotte alum, Bader appeared in 70 matches over four seasons, producing 17 goals and 13 assists, twice earning First Team All-Conference accolades.
Bader on Signing
"After my time at UNC Charlotte, this city has truly become home… I'm so excited for the opportunity to represent it at the next level in my first year as a pro. This organization has set such a high bar in its first year, and I can't wait to come in, put in the work, and help build on that foundation."
What This Means for Carolina Ascent
Both signings underscore Carolina's development-first pathway and reliance on proven talent from the USL W League pipeline. The addition of two former MVPs adds depth and experience to a squad that dominated with the Players' Shield in its debut season. Martinez brings leadership, reliability between the posts, and international experience; Bader offers attacking firepower and local roots.
They will debut for the Ascent on Saturday, August 30, when the reigning Shield winners face Fort Lauderdale United FC at Beyond Bancard Field at 7:30 p.m. ET.
💬 Five Questions for Readers
- Can Sydney Martinez replicate her W League dominance at the next level as a starting Super League goalkeeper?
- Will Macey Bader's local roots and college success translate into impact performances for Carolina Ascent?
- Is relying on former W League MVPs a sustainable model for building long-term team success?
- How do these signings reflect the strength of the USL W League pathway in developing women's pro talent?
- With two new leaders on board, what kind of season can fans expect from Carolina Ascent in the 2025–26 campaign?
The championship victory by Carolina Ascent FC will forever be remembered as the moment that launched the USL Super League into the annals of American women's soccer history. Their triumph represents the beginning of a new chapter in the sport's development in the United States.
中文版本 (Chinese Version)
在美国女子足球的历史性时刻，卡罗莱纳上升队已被加冕为美国超级联赛的首个冠军，在2025年6月14日激动人心的冠军决赛中以2-1击败坦帕湾太阳队。这场胜利标志着卡罗莱纳上升队在2024-2025赛季中统治常规赛并确保其作为首个美国超级联赛冠军的历史地位的非凡赛季的顶峰。
🌟 历史性冠军胜利
卡罗莱纳上升队通往冠军的旅程堪称壮观。以联赛最佳战绩结束常规赛，他们赢得了令人垂涎的球员盾牌，并在整个季后赛中获得了主场优势。他们在2024-2025赛季中的持续表现展示了球队的卓越才能、战术纪律和坚定不移的决心。
"这个冠军代表了我们从第一天开始就为之奋斗的一切，"卡罗莱纳上升队主教练菲利普·普尔说。"我们的球员在整个赛季中表现出了令人难以置信的性格、技能和决心。成为首个美国超级联赛冠军是我们永远不会忘记的时刻。"
⚽ 冠军决赛戏剧性
卡罗莱纳上升队和坦帕湾太阳队之间的冠军决赛是非凡首个赛季的恰当结论。两支球队都表现出了卓越的技能和决心，创造了一场将被铭记多年的比赛。卡罗莱纳上升队的战术掌握和临床射门在确保历史性胜利方面起到了决定性作用。
比赛特点包括：
- 上半场：激烈的中场战斗和战术象棋比赛
- 下半场：卡罗莱纳上升队的突破性进球和防守韧性
- 最后几分钟：坦帕湾最后安慰球的戏剧性结局
- 最终比分：卡罗莱纳上升队 2-1 坦帕湾太阳队
🏆 卓越赛季
卡罗莱纳上升队的冠军胜利建立在首个赛季持续卓越的基础上。他们的常规赛表现包括：
- 常规赛战绩：以联赛最佳战绩的统治性表现
- 球员盾牌：确保常规赛冠军
- 季后赛表现：季后赛中的临床胜利
- 团队化学反应：卓越的凝聚力和战术执行
📊 冠军赛季统计
卡罗莱纳上升队的冠军赛季以反映其统治地位的令人印象深刻的统计数据为特征：
- 进球数：联赛领先的进攻产量
- 失球数：出色的防守记录
- 零封：出色的守门和防守组织
- 净胜球：联赛最佳
🌍 对女子足球的影响
卡罗莱纳上升队的冠军胜利不仅仅代表一座奖杯 - 它象征着美国女子足球新时代的成功启动。美国超级联赛的首个赛季已经证明，美国有空间容纳多个职业女子足球联赛，为球员和球迷提供更多机会。
"这个冠军验证了我们一直在努力实现的一切，"美国超级联赛专员阿曼达·范德沃特说。"卡罗莱纳上升队为我们联赛的卓越设定了标准，他们的胜利展示了美国超级联赛的质量和竞争力。"
🎯 展望未来
当卡罗莱纳上升队庆祝他们的历史性冠军时，美国超级联赛展望令人兴奋的未来。首个赛季的成功为联赛的持续增长和发展奠定了坚实的基础。随着杰克逊维尔体育等扩军球队加入2025-2026赛季，联赛准备取得更大的成功。
卡罗莱纳上升队的冠军胜利将永远被铭记为将美国超级联赛载入美国女子足球史册的时刻。他们的胜利代表了美国这项运动发展的新篇章的开始。
Continue with Google
Continue with Facebook
Continue with X
Comments (4)