CHARLOTTE—Dan Lock will coach Charlotte FC’s inaugural U17 team, the club announced on Thursday.
Lock, who will continue in his role as Charlotte FC’s Academy Manager, boasts a highly successful track record of elite talent development and educational leadership at MLS academy level.
The former Head Coach at the Seattle Sounders Academy holds a US Soccer A License, in addition to a prestigious coaching license from the English FA. He is currently adding to his impressive depth of youth development qualifications by undertaking the Elite Formation Coaching License, in association with the French Football Federation and MLS.
“I’m very excited to be coaching the U17 team, in conjunction with my role as Academy Manager,” says Lock. “The U17s are an exciting group that have a big 18 months ahead of them. They will be the first-ever players to wear the Charlotte FC badge, and will all be working to earn the right to join the first team’s historic pre-season in January 2022.”
Lock’s U17 side are set to commence training on July 27th. They will operate on a full-time basis, with daily training and regular tournament play in MLS’ Elite Player Development Platform. The team will also compete in the Prestigious MLS Generation Adidas Cup.
“Having Dan coach in the formative years of the Academy program means that we can set the tone for the future as we develop and grow,” says Charlotte FC Technical Director Marc Nicholls. “His daily presence on the field will provide an excellent grounding for both players and coaches, and will help forge a deep connection between the academy and first team in our formative years.”
In addition to the U17 team, a full-time U14 team will also commence in July. The Charlotte Discovery Program, a part-time program for U12 and U13 levels, is set to begin this fall.
