Brad Wylde - Executive Director
As Executive Director, Wylde oversees the player development, guidance and coaching responsibilities for all children under the CSA soccer program. Wylde has a track record of successfully leading other well-known soccer clubs in the greater Charlotte area. He has also helped numerous players obtain partial or full scholarships to NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 programs.
Wylde joined South Charlotte Soccer Association as Executive Director in 2005, and grew the organization from a thirty team club to one of the strongest clubs in the south region with over 80 teams competing in all levels of play.
In 2008, Wylde coached the club’s first US Youth Soccer Regional Championship team and took the team to SCSA’s first appearance at the National Championships. Wylde is an associate National Staff instructor under the National Coaches Association of America, teaching state, regional and advanced regional courses in the Southeast Region: he is also a former NC Olympic Development state team coach. Wylde was an NSCAA All American at Catawba College and a 4 year professional player with the Charlotte Eagles, SC Shamrocks, and Carolina Dynamo.
Adam Denton – Director, U 14-U 18 Elite Clubs’ National League and Premier Girls
Denton is a native of Liverpool, England. Playing Accomplishments include Professional Player with Everton Football Club (1995-1997) and Wingate University (1997-2001), SAC Freshman of the Year, All Conference, All Region and All- American Honors.
Denton holds his USSF "A" License, NSCAA Premier Diploma, UEFA "B" License, and is a current member of the USYS Region 3 Staff. Adam has coached numerous teams to NC State Cup Championships, USYS Regional appearance, and tournament victories including WAGS, Jefferson Cup and the Disney Showcases. In addition over 75 players that Adam has coached have gone on to play college soccer at Division I and Division II programs.
As the ECNL Director, Adam will be responsible for all the aspects of the CSA ECNL Program, including team practices, tournaments, game schedules, and the CSA Girls College Recruitment Program.
Dan Dudley - Director, U 13-U 14 Girls Classic
Dudley is a former collegiate standout at Catawba College and a three year professional player with the Carolina Dynamo. A former 3 year Men’s Assistant Coach with High Point University and former 4 year Women’s Assistant Coach with Catawba College, Dudley comes to SCSA from FC Carolina Alliance where he served as Director of Coaching for six years.
Also a member of the NC Olympic Development State Team Coaching Staff, Dudley is fully qualified through NSCAA, holds a USSF A’ License and has a (MSS) Master’s in Sports Science from the United States Academy, Alabama. Dudley will be directing in our Girls Program.
Mark Thornton - Director, U 13-U 14 Boys R3PL, Premier and Classic
Thornton is a native of Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, having relocated to the US in 2000. As a young player, he played with Sunderland AFC and Ipswich Town. In 2000, he received a scholarship to play soccer at Appalachian State University (ASU). Thornton was a four-year starter, a two-year captain and All Southern Conference and All South selection during his career at ASU.
After graduation from ASU, Thornton was hired in 2004 as Technical Director of Coaching for Concorde Fire Soccer Club in Atlanta, GA. During his 4 years with the club, he also became Director of Coaching for Academy (U9 – U12 boys and girls) and also Director of Girls U13 – U18. Thornton holds the USSF ‘C’ and also numerous licenses within the English F.A.
In 2008, Thornton was hired by South Charlotte Soccer Association as Director of Coaching for the academy (U9 and U10 girls). He is also an assistant coach for the North Carolina ODP program.
Brad Francis - Director, U 11-U 12 Girls Classic
Francis has spent most of his career at Charlotte Soccer Club. First he played for the ’79 Blue team at CSC for eight years, where the team won two state championships. Francis also attended Charlotte Catholic, where he led Catholic to three state finals. While at Catholic he was a four year all conference, two times all region, and all state as a player.
After high school Francis attended the University of Alabama, where he majored in Finance. His career was cut short in college due to injuries. After college, Francis started coaching at SCSA, where he coached the ’89 boys’ team. From there he returned to CSC, as a game coach, and progressed in his coaching career. Francis has held three different roles within CSC in his six years coaching at the club.
Francis currently holds his NSCAA Advanced National License, and USSF National Youth License.
Ashley Rex- ECNL Assistant
Ashley played in the W2 League with the Carolina Dynamo and the Boston Renegades during the summer of 2006 and 2008. Ashley graduated UNC Charlotte in 2006 and while at UNCC received many honors both on and off the field. These honors include a Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament Championship leading to NCAA Tournament berth (2002 & 2007), Atlantic 10 Regular Season Conference Champions (2006 & 2007), Team Captain (2005, 2006 & 2007), Coaches Award (2005, 2006, & 2007) and Honorable Mention 2007 NSCAA College Women Scholar All-South Region.
While in the U.S Youth System Ashley was a member of North Carolina Olympic Development Program State Team from 1999 to 2002. Ashley currently holds the National D License and is a part of the NC ODP Staff
ECNL Assistant Coach Ashu Saxena
Ashu will work with the CSA ECNL Staff as an ECNL Assistant Coach for each of the CSA ECNL Teams. Ashu will attend at least one practice per week through the course of the season and will be in attendance at several of the ECNL Showcase events and conference league games.
Erik Lefebvre- ECNL and Premier Goalkeeper Coach
Erik is a three time All American at Houghton College in upstate New York. He is a former Canadian National Team Goalkeeper and just has played for the past two seasons with the Charlotte Eagles. He is currently the goalkeeper coach at UNC Charlotte for both men’s and women’s programs.
