Sergio Guerra, Sports Editor/Photographer
The summer has been full of unforgettable sporting moments both here and around Greensboro, North Carolina. From the two perfect games thrown by the Greensboro Grasshoppers in MiLB, to Charlotte FC’s current nine-game winning streak in MLS, to Atlanta’s hosting of England’s renowned football league, the Premier League. The Carolinian has had the opportunity to cover it all and more as UNCG Division I teams begin to kick off their seasons – including the nationally ranked UNCG Men’s Soccer Team.
UNCG Soccer is Nationally Ranked
UNCG Men’s Soccer has gotten off to an incredible start this season becoming a consensus top-20 ranked team in the nation. The highest ranking that UNCG Men’s Soccer has received this season has been from the United Soccer Coaches poll which placed them 11th in the country. The team was also ranked 14th and 19th by College Soccer News and TopDrawer Soccer respectively.
The Spartans begin their season with a 4-1-1 record after six games which includes big wins against Central Florida, VCU, and Dayton. However, in their most recent game last Saturday, the Spartans fell 2-1 to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
One of the standout performers for UNCG Men’s Soccer has been forward Enzo Dovlo. The French junior ranks among the elite of college soccer, leading the nation in goals scored with six. In addition to his goal-scoring heroics, Dovlo is in the top five in the nation for his number of assists (four).
The Premier League in Atlanta
One of the largest sporting events of the summer was the Premier League’s visit to the United States to host a series of friendlies called the Summer Series. The event took place over three says in three U.S. cities – New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, Chicago’s Soldier Field, and Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The final doubleheader of the event in Atlanta took place on August 3, 2025. It pitted two of the most storied English sides, Everton and Manchester United, against each other in the first part of the doubleheader, while West Ham United and Bournemouth played earlier in the day. West Ham United would get the best of its rivals with a 2-0 victory, while Manchester United and Everton could not be separated with a 2-2 draw.
The biggest story of the weekend has to be the growth of soccer in the United States, with over 141,000 fans filling MetLife Stadium and Soldier Field. The attendance from Atlanta has yet to be finalized, but these initial results showcase the growing sport and improve the US’s credentials to host a World Cup this upcoming year.
Greensboro Grasshoppers’ Perfect Games
Closer to home, the Greensboro Grasshoppers had quite the season in the South Atlantic Division of Minor League Baseball, finishing top of the league and securing the postseason. Although the Grasshoppers lost to the Brooklyn Cyclones in the playoffs, the season was full of surprises and history-making nights.
The highlight of this season has to be the two perfect games thrown by the Grasshoppers en route to the top spot in the South Atlantic Division. A perfect game is when a pitcher(s) does not allow a batter to get a hit or reach first base by any means over a minimum of nine innings. The Grasshoppers would make history at First National Bank by doing something no pro club has done twice in nine days.
The first game was on July 4, 2025, where the High-A affiliate would take down Aberdeen 2-0, and pitchers Khristian Curtis, Jake Shirk, and Michael Walsh combined to throw a perfect nine-inning game. It was the first perfect game since 2017.
When it rains, it pours, as Greensboro grabbed its second perfect game of the season just nine days later, on July 13th, thanks to pitchers Hung Leng Chang, Joshua Loeschorn, Jake Shirk, and Jarod Bayless. The perfect performance powered the Grasshoppers to a 4-0 win over Bowling Green at First National Bank Field.
Charlotte FC Wins and Wins
Moving south, Charlotte FC has put together an incredible run of form recently in Major League Soccer. The North Carolina-based club is on a nine-game winning streak after defeating Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Saturday night 3-0. After that result, Charlotte FC is able to punch its ticket into the postseason where they will be competing for the MLS Cup. The CLT will be back in action on Saturday away at NYCFC as the visitors are hoping to ensure a high seeding for the playoffs.
UNCG’s Week
UNCG Women’s Soccer is at home on Thursday, September 18th to begin their Southern Conference campaign against VMI. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm. Meanwhile, UNCG Volleyball has had a good start to 2025 with a 5-4 record. Volleyball’s next games are local clashes with UNC Asheville and NC A&T in the Battle of North Carolina starting on Friday at 6:00 pm in Fleming Gym.
THE CAROLINIAN 