The newly minted North Carolina FC (formerly Carolina Railhawks) have officially partnered with Athletic Lab for their Sports Science and Strength & Conditioning needs during the upcoming 2017 season. North Carolina FC (NCFC) is a an American professional soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. The team trained at Athletic Lab during the last weeks of the 2016 season on a trial basis. The team was founded in 2006, as the Carolina Railhawks and recently announced a rebranding to become North Carolina FC and make a bid to join the MLS. The team currently plays in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The team previously trained at Athletic Lab during the 2010 and 2011 seasons during which they won the 2010 NASL Conference title and the 2011 NASL regular season title. Following those two banner years, Athletic Lab’s Mike Young joined the Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS where he served as the Head Fitness coach for the First team from 2012-2014. During his time in Vancouver, the team became the first Canadian team to make the MLS playoffs by posting one of the largest turn-around seasons in MLS history. In the 2013, the team improved on their record again and won the coveted Cascadia Cup over the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders.

We’re very excited to be working with North Carolina FC again. With myself and Coach John Grace both having experience in the MLS, I believe we have the knowledge and know-how to really help the team. The organization is top notch from the players all the way up through the coaches and team executives. NCFC is the top soccer club in a state with an unbelievable soccer history so we’re very proud that they choose to return to Athletic Lab. We’re looking forward to helping them be stronger, faster and more physically commanding on the pitch. They are exactly the type of organization that we love to work with.

– Mike Young, PhD
Athletic Lab Owner & Director of Performance

In addition to North Carolina Football Club, Athletic Lab trains several other winning teams in the Triangle including NC Elite Volleyball club, NC Force Hockey Club, and Cary Invasion semi-pro basketball team among others. If you are interested in having Athletic Lab work with your team please contact us.