Head Coach, Erika Duncan, welcomes Matt Brown and Mike Barroqueiro
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 12, 2024) – USL W League Carolina announced today new personnel joining the pre-professional team’s technical staff this summer. General Manager, Greg Ashton, and Head Coach, Erika Duncan, welcome Matt Brown and Mike Barroqueiro as Assistant Coaches.
“I am extremely excited about our staff this year,” Duncan expressed. “With Matt’s previous USL W League experience and the background Mike brings to the staff, I know the players are going to be in great hands this season!”
Greg Ashton, General Manager
Greg Ashton is the USL Director of Programs for the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club which oversees USL W League, USL League Two, and the USL Academy. He was the General Manager for the Charlotte Independence USL W League team for the last two seasons.
“We are very fortunate to have a coaching staff with such a depth of experience coaching at high levels who are excited to work with players who are looking to continue to develop,” Ashton explained. “I look forward to seeing our coaching staff in action as we play in an extremely competitive division of our conference.”
Ashton also serves as the Boys & Girls College Director at the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club, providing resources to youth players looking to play after high school. This includes understanding the recruitment process, the different college divisions, financials, how to market yourself, and more. In addition to these leadership roles, Ashton coaches the Girls U17 and U18/U19 ECNL Academy squads.
Prior to joining the Independence, Ashton was the Head Coach at Trinity University, Davidson College, and Charlotte Country Day School. His playing career included appearances for the New Zealand youth national teams at various age levels and contracts with multiple professional clubs in Auckland, New Zealand.
Matt Brown, Assistant Coach
For the past two seasons, Matt Brown served as an Assistant Coach with the Charlotte Independence USL W League team. He is currently the Director of Coaching, Goalkeeping for the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club. Brown was promoted in February 2022 after a significant impact as the Girls’ Goalkeeping Director.
“I am extremely excited to be on staff at such an exciting time for the women’s game as it grows in our community,” Brown shared. “Having the connection from the youth level will only strengthen the pathway for young female players to get the opportunities they deserve. We, as a staff, have a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in these players’ lives.”
He has successfully coached young goalkeepers to play at the collegiate level, professional level, earn selections into the USYWNT and USYMNT, and goalkeepers in the ECNL National Selection game. Brown was also chosen as an Assistant Coach for the ECNL National Selection Game.
In July, Brown joined the Capelli Sport Plus staff in Denmark for the Capelli Sport Cup, an international competition for U17 and U19 players.
Before moving to Charlotte, Brown was the Assistant Director of Goalkeeping at the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He brings over 19 years of experience developing goalkeepers.
Brown holds USSF B, USSF GK National, NSCAA Advanced National and NSCAA National licenses.
Mike Barroqueiro, Assistant Coach
Mike Barroqueiro began serving as the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club Mooresville Director in May 2023. In this role, he oversees the Mooresville Youth Academy and Mooresville Competitive Programs while also coaching within the program.
“I’m so excited to be joining Erika, Matt, and Greg on our USL W League staff,” Barroqueiro said. “Having worked in the USL W League previously, I’ve grown to appreciate the development pathway that this unique league offers to our young ladies on their journey to professional soccer. To be able to work with such a great group of coaches, in an amazing city, for an organization that is truly committed to growing the game and showcasing our talented players is a truly special opportunity for me. I’m so appreciative and can’t wait to get started!”
Previously, Barroqueiro was the Head Coach for the University of Delaware women’s soccer program from 2017-22. His final season with the Blue Hens’ featured a 33rd-ranked National Recruiting Class. During his tenure, he coached a CAA Defensive Player of the Year, 12 All-CAA athletes, four CAA All-Rookies, and two CAA All-Tournament players. Barroqueiro’s 2019 squad achieved the highest win total in 25 years and reached the CAA Tournament Semifinals.
From 2012-17, Barroqueiro was the Associate Head Coach at North Carolina State University where he was recognized as part of the NSCAA Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year and a National Coaching Staff of the Year Finalist. He helped lead the Wolfpack to a Top 25 Ranking in both the NSCAA and TopDrawer Soccer Polls. Barroqueiro had previous coaching stints with Iona University, College of Charleston, New Jersey Wildcats, and Rutgers University.
Barroqueiro currently holds United Soccer Coaches Advanced National & National Licenses, as well as United Soccer Coaches Level l & ll Goalkeeping Licenses.
About USL W League Carolina
USL W League Carolina is one of eight teams competing in the USL W League’s South Atlantic Conference in 2024. The team is the pre-professional affiliate for Super League Carolina, the Carolina’s newest division one women’s professional soccer team. Head Coach, Erika Duncan leads the squad in 2024 and will join Super League Carolina as an Assistant Coach this August. The USL W League Carolina program is focused on developing local soccer talent and providing new, competitive environments for young women across the Carolinas who dream of playing professional soccer. The team’s technical and operational management are led by Affiliate, Charlotte Independence Soccer Club.
About the USL W League:
The USL W League is a leader in pre-professional soccer in North America, developing the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field. The USL W League strives to use women’s soccer as a force for societal good by creating a national platform to increase opportunity, gender equity, and career development. The League and its member clubs are committed to investing in women’s soccer – through not only financial resources but also with time, energy, and attention – and are united in our mission to grow the women’s game.
About Super League Carolina:
Super League Carolina is one of the eight initial markets of the USL Super League. The club, based in Charlotte, N.C., is a professional women’s soccer team set to kick off in August 2024. The USL Super League has committed to U.S. Soccer’s Division One standards, reflecting its collective vision to be a global leader in women’s soccer on and off the field while providing more opportunities for more women in more communities.
About the USL Super League:
The USL Super League is a professional women’s soccer league set to kick off in August 2024.
Built for the future of women’s soccer, the USL Super League has committed to U.S. Soccer’s Division One standards, reflecting its collective vision to be a global leader on and off the field while providing more opportunities for more women in more communities.
