A hometown hero from High Point is taking North Carolina by storm. Carolina Core FC's Chief Sporting Officer, Eddie Pope, has helped to create a burgeoning soccer environment in the city where he’s from, helping to provide new opportunities for elite players in the area that, growing up, weren't accessible to him.
Born in High Point, North Carolina, Eddie Pope began his career playing multiple sports (baseball, football, and soccer) for local teams, including Southwest Guilford High School, before transitioning to college, where he attended the highly renowned University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
“Growing up playing multiple sports was just something everyone did, and for me, that was football, baseball, and soccer. During my time at Southwest Guilford, I was fortunate enough to be selected for both the football and soccer high school all-star games. Getting an education was always a priority for me, along with sports, so when it was time to make my college decision, UNC Chapel Hill seemed like the perfect place for me to continue both of those things.”
As a freshman, Pope practiced with the UNC Tar Heels football team as a place kicker but ultimately chose to concentrate on soccer. During his time as a Tar Heel, the talented young center back started every game of his collegiate career. Despite being a defender, Pope was a natural standout in the collegiate ranks, being named to the second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 1993 and to the first-team All-ACC, All-South Region, and NCAA All-America in 1994.
Everything truly kicked off in the fall of 1996, which saw Eddie get drafted by Major League Soccer’s (MLS) D.C. United in the first round (2nd overall) of the very first college draft of the MLS. Transitioning from the college game to pro, Pope made a seamless transition from Chapel Hill, NC, to Washington, DC.
In his first season with D.C. United, Pope played in 18 games after splitting time with the US Olympic Team (preparing for the 1996 Olympics), and scored the golden goal to win the first-ever MLS Cup against Los Angeles Galaxy. That was a pivotal year for the young defender, as he also made his first appearance with the U.S. Men’s National Team in a 2-0 victory in a friendly versus Trinidad & Tobago.
“At that time in my career, I was still going to school at UNC and playing for DC United so it was a very unique experience. From scoring the golden goal in the MLS Cup final as a rookie to making my debut with the U.S. Men’s National Team, 1996 will always be a very special year to me. Being able to play for club and country at that age is something that I’m very proud of and don’t take for granted.”
Despite being just 23 years old, Pope went on to win MLS Defender of the Year the next year in 1997 and earned a place in the MLS Best XI on the way to becoming a two-time MLS Cup Champion. With a solid foundation built, Pope would go on to have an illustrious MLS career, including a third MLS Cup (1999), one U.S. Open Cup (1996), two Supporter’s Shields (1997 and 1999), a Copa Interamericana (1998), and the CONCACAF Champions League (1998). Pope would also go on to become a four-time MLS All-Star (1997–2000), a four-time MLS Best XI (1997-1998, 2003-2004), and a recipient of the 2004 MLS Fair Play Award.
Dominant and ever-present in the MLS, Pope used his domestic success to launch his international career with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Starting every game, Pope made 82 appearances with the national team over an 11-year period, scoring eight goals, which was uncommon for defenders at the time. During his time with the national team, Pope helped lead the United States to three different World Cups, including a 2002 run that saw the United States’ best performance in modern history. Pope helped the team advance to the quarterfinals, where they suffered a narrow defeat to Germany. During his time with the national team, Pope was also pivotal in leading the United States to victory in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
“My time with the U.S. national team was really special. I started off playing with the U.S. Olympic team, so making the transition to the full team was great. I’m proud to say that I was able to play and represent my country for over 11 years. It was a fantastic experience and truly something I won’t forget. The players around me were so talented and that’s a major reason we were so successful, including making it to three World Cup’s in our cycle. Beating Mexico in the 2002 World Cup was very special for me personally. Defeating them and moving onto the quarterfinals was a truly unforgettable experience.”
As Pope’s career wound down, he announced his retirement in 2007. The heralded defender knew that it was his goal to give back to the sport that gave so much to him. Pope would go on to be named to the MLS All-Time Best XI (Starting Eleven), and in 2011, he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
“I am truly grateful for my career and all the time I spent in Major League Soccer and with the U.S. Men’s National Team. There were a lot of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade my playing time for anything. Inclusion in the MLS All-Time Best XI and my induction into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame are truly special accomplishments and things that my family and I can be proud of. Growing up in High Point, not necessarily having major opportunities, and seeing the point the game is at now is phenomenal. I’m proud to be a representative of the MLS and the Hall of Fame and hope to continue giving back in the same way the game gave to me.”
Pope went on to work in the MLS Players Union following his playing retirement, serving as the Director of Player Relations where he helped to negotiate and bargain for the fair treatment of MLS Players. In 2015, Pope would leave his post with MLS Players Union to work at Octagon sports agency, but always knew he wanted to find his way back home.
“For me, helping to grow the game and being a strong advocate for players has always been important. Supporting those two causes that are close to me are why I chose to work in player relations for the MLS Players Union. From my work in the Players Union to Octagon as an agent, I knew there was something missing for me, which ended up leading me here.”
Pope has now taken on the project of helping to bring professional soccer to his hometown of High Point, NC, in the form of Carolina Core FC. The new team performed well in its inagural season, defeating Crown Legacy FC in a 3-2 penalty shootout in its inaugural match, making it to the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as one of just three MLS NEXT Pro teams, and falling just shy of making the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.
“There is nothing like helping to bring professional soccer to the city where I grew up. We’re building an organization with high-level people, whether that be the coaching staff, the players, the front office, or ownership. I’m very proud to be a part of Carolina Core FC and know the community support will make a big difference. Growing up, I didn’t see a professional pathway for myself, so being able to go through MLS as a player, then with the Players Union, and now operating as a team in the league is a dream beyond belief. I’m excited to see what the future holds, not just for this season but for Carolina Core and MLS NEXT Pro as a whole.”
