[CAROLINA RAPIDS] The Carolina Rapids, the former North Meck SC renamed after it signed an alliance with the Colorado Rapids, have opened play in the DevelopmentAcademy’s U-17/18 age group with wins over three Florida teams.
The Rapids beat Chargers SC (3-1), Weston FC (2-0) and Kendall SC (4-0). DavidLozano, a high school junior, leads the Rapids with four goals.
The Rapids are one of four U-17/18 teams to go 3-0-0 after two weeks of the new Development Academy season. Theothers are the Philadelphia Union, Vancouver Whitecaps and PDA.
The Rapids, based in north Mecklenburg County outside Charlotte, joined the Rapids Adidas Alliance in April. They sentDevelopment Academy players to Colorado over the summer to train with the Rapids and on a touring Rapids’ under-13 team to Costa Rica.
North Mecklenburg Soccer Club, founded in 1987,became the third club to affiliate with the Rapids after clubs in Colorado and Nevada. It has 3,900 players.