Two former Asheville City players are set to continue their professional journeys with Carolina Core FC after the club announced that Ryan Baer and Bryce Swinehart will return for the 2027 season.
Both players spent time with the Blues before making the jump to the professional level, and both made an impact with Carolina Core during the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season. Their return is another example of the pathway Asheville City continues to provide for players looking to take the next step in their careers.
Baer Continues His Professional Journey
For Ryan Baer, the road to Carolina Core has been several years in the making.
Baer first joined Asheville City in 2022, during Scott Wells’ first season as the club’s Men’s Head Coach. The West Virginia University midfielder returned for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, becoming a key part of the Blues’ run to their first Southern Conference championship and National Semifinals appearance in 2024.
After another standout season at WVU, Baer was selected 28th overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. He spent the 2025 season with Tacoma Defiance before joining the Richmond Kickers on loan.
Baer returned to Asheville City for the club’s 2026 US Open Cup run, appearing in both matches and helping the Blues earn their first US Open Cup victory in club history with a 3-1 win over the Greenville Triumph on March 18, 2026. He stayed with the club to begin the 2026 USL League Two season, starting two matches before signing with Carolina Core.
For Baer, returning to Asheville was an easy decision, even as he worked to find his next opportunity in the professional game.
“Being in Asheville was never a question throughout my college career. Scott Wells had the same energy and passion towards the game that I do, which I always appreciated,” Baer said. “After not having a pro contract going into this year, I put so much trust in Scott and Carl. They’ve always had my back when it comes to navigating the professional game.”
The 2026 US Open Cup run was another highlight. Baer got to share the field with friends while helping the Blues make club history, a moment that meant even more given his connection to the team.
“The Open Cup run was especially special to me as I got to share the field with some of my best friends and was able to get Asheville’s first-ever Open Cup win,” he said. “I owe so much of my ability to become a professional to Asheville City and all the people that were a part of it.”
Baer went on to become a regular contributor for Carolina Core during the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season. He appeared in 15 matches, making 13 starts and logging 1,180 minutes. He completed 88% of his passes and recorded 10 key passes.
Despite the challenges of transitioning between clubs and finding his place in the professional game, Baer says his time in Asheville helped prepare him for what came next.
“Although Asheville City is an amateur team in reality, they operate and feel like a professional team. This prepared me greatly for the pro game.”
Wells, who has coached Baer since his first season with the Blues, said seeing the midfielder continue to find his footing at the professional level has been especially meaningful.
“This one was personal for me. One of the most impactful players to come out of college soccer over the last decade, and someone who started his Asheville City career with me. Although drafted, he was still overlooked, and again during his loan spell. We got him back in with us and allowed him to enjoy his football again. Credit to Jake and all at Carolina Core for trusting us as a club; they have a player they can build a championship squad around for a long time to come.”
Baer is looking forward to what comes next with Carolina Core. After a season that included significant changes within the club, he sees plenty of potential heading into 2027.
“My time so far in Carolina Core has been very enjoyable,” Baer said. “There are a lot of changes going on here, with a new coach, new staff and new players all coming in halfway through the season. I’m grateful to be a part of this change and feel like there is so much potential here.”
Looking ahead, he sees a group that could be building toward something special.
“Looking to next season, we have a number of notable returners and feel like there is something special brewing here.”
Swinehart Earns His Opportunity
For Bryce Swinehart, the move to Carolina Core came during his first season with Asheville City.
The defender spent three seasons at Liberty University before transferring to West Virginia for his final collegiate season. At Liberty, he started all 50 matches he played across three seasons, recording eight goals and three assists.
In his final season with the Mountaineers, Swinehart appeared in all 21 matches and made seven starts, recording one goal and two assists as West Virginia finished 13-5-3 and advanced to the NCAA tournament.
Swinehart joined Asheville City for the 2026 USL League Two season, making nine appearances for the Blues before signing with Carolina Core.
He went on to appear in nine MLS NEXT Pro matches, starting all nine and playing 722 minutes. He completed 84% of his passes, recorded four key passes and scored one goal.
Now, after making that transition in his first year with the Blues, Swinehart is preparing for a second season with Carolina Core.
“My experience with Carolina Core was nothing but incredible,” Swinehart said. “From the fans, to the environment, to the coaches, to the professionalism, and more importantly to the players, I’ve had the full experience. Getting to re-sign for 2027 means the world to me. I love the coaching staff who continues to believe in me as a person and a player.”
Swinehart also credits his time in Asheville with helping him adjust to the professional game.
“My time at Asheville more than prepared me for the transition. Carl and Edu and the whole staff put a lot of trust in me to showcase my skills and also to defend the Blues. The fan environment and the professionalism of the club made the transition seamless when going to the Core.”
For Wells, Swinehart’s progress is another example of what Asheville City can offer players pursuing the professional game.
“Another one we have been able to give a platform to. I am so happy for Bryce, his dedication and sacrifice over the last 6 months shows anything is possible,” Wells said. “The club continue to help these lads achieve their dreams through the path to pro.”
The Path to Pro
For Asheville City, the stories of Baer and Swinehart are about more than two players earning another professional contract. They reflect the relationships, coaching and opportunities that can help players move from the college game to the professional level.
Swinehart sees that pathway firsthand, and he says having the chance to continue playing alongside Baer makes it even more meaningful.
“Getting to continue to play alongside Ryan Baer just shows how great a pipeline Asheville is,” Swinehart said. “Without the likes of Scott and Carl, I would not be where I am today! Forever a Blue!!”
Carolina Core Head Coach Jake Davis has also seen the value of that connection between the two clubs.
“Very excited to have both Ryan Baer and Bryce Swinehart return for 2027. Both made immediate impacts for our club in 2026. Their time playing in USL2 with Asheville City prepared them for the opportunity. We know that North Carolina has a strong soccer scene, and we prioritize recruiting from within the state. Having seen both Ryan and Bryce compete for Asheville City, we knew what they could bring to Carolina Core and are extremely proud to bring them back for 2027.”
Baer and Swinehart took different routes to the professional game, but both spent time with Asheville City before earning their opportunities with Carolina Core. Their experiences show how a club can help players prepare for the next level, whether that means providing a place to compete, building confidence or helping them navigate the path to a professional contract.
Now, both players will return to Carolina Core for another season, carrying the lessons and relationships they built with the Blues into the next chapter of their careers.
From Asheville City to the pros. And the journey continues.
