Super League’s first USL Academy signing will get chance for First Team training, action and retain NCAA eligibility
When you’re building a league from the ground up, there are going to be important firsts accomplished by the league and its teams on the road to opening weekend.
On Thursday, Carolina Ascent FC scored the latest, making B Hylton the first USL Academy signing in the USL Super League’s history.
“I am beyond excited and thankful for the opportunity to play for Carolina Ascent FC this season,” said Hylton in the club’s press release. “I believe that playing with this team will provide me with the best development I can get as a young player. I consider it a privilege to be part of something which will grow the women’s game not only in Charlotte, but provide more opportunities for young players from all over.”
What’s a USL Academy signing?
USL Academy signings have been part of the USL for more than a decade. They were first introduced in the USL Championship in 2013, allowing clubs to add talented pre-professional players to First Team rosters while allowing the player to retain their NCAA eligibility. It’s a model that since its introduction by the USL has been adopted by other professional leagues in the United States.
This has allowed hundreds of players to compete in the USL Championship, USL League One and tournaments like the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup before competing in NCAA College Soccer. Some have taken the opportunity and turned pro before reaching campus – the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Cristian Ortiz was a recent example – while many others have gone on to have successful college careers before joining the professional ranks.
Who is B Hylton?
The 17-year-old Charlotte native has been one of the standouts in the Development Player League while competing for the Charlotte Development Academy. Hylton was the DPL’s first National Player of the Year, has been a two-time DPL All-Star Selection, and helped DPL win the 2023 DPL U19 National Championship. At the high school level, Hylton earned NCSCA All-Region, NCISAA All-State, and NCISAA First Team All-Conference honors three times along with NCSCA All-State recognition twice.
“We are committed to identifying young players with the highest potential, and B is absolutely a player who shows the capabilities we are looking for,” said Ascent Head Coach Philip Poole. “I am excited to see B develop in our environment and compete every day at the professional level. It is important to provide young players a pathway to meaningful professional minutes in an intentional setting and manner. I’m so thrilled for B and how she will represent high-potential young players in her community.”
What’s next?
Hylton’s signing is the first USL Academy signing ahead of the league’s inaugural season kickoff in August, but she’s unlikely to be the last. As clubs build out their rosters, you should expect to see some more USL Academy signings appear before the season starts, or for players to earn opportunities to join the eight inaugural clubs after the season is underway.
With a full women’s pathway now in place from USL Academy through USL W League to the USL Super League, more opportunities for players to find the right path for their journey in the sport are going to appear. That’s only going to increase the chances of finding the next young star that can be guided to the top of the game in the future.