Wake Forest has added goalkeeper Quinn Syrett, a Brooklyn native with MLS NEXT Pro experience at Crown Legacy FC and Charlotte FC academy roots, to its 2026 roster — an immediate upgrade in goal that strengthens the Demon Deacons’ championship credentials heading into the August season.
Wake Forest adds pro goalkeeper Quinn Syrett to 2026 roster
Wake Forest men’s soccer has bolstered its squad with Quinn Syrett, a goalkeeper who trained in the Charlotte FC academy and made pro appearances with Crown Legacy FC in MLS NEXT Pro. The addition arrives ahead of the 2026 season and raises expectations for the Demon Deacons’ back line.
Key details
Quinn Syrett joins Wake Forest for the 2026 campaign after five MLS NEXT Pro appearances with Crown Legacy FC, where he recorded a perfect 5-0 record and two clean sheets. A Brooklyn native, Syrett brings professional training, first-team exposure within the Charlotte FC system, and winning experience to Winston-Salem.
Why Syrett matters for Wake Forest
A goalkeeper with pro minutes reduces transition risk for a college team aiming for ACC dominance and an NCAA title run. Syrett’s unbeaten start in MLS NEXT Pro demonstrates composure and match-winning reliability — traits that translate well to high-pressure collegiate knockout games.
Immediate impact
Syrett’s pro pedigree should position him to compete immediately for starting minutes. Even if he isn’t an instant nailed-on starter, his presence elevates training standards and forces a performance boost from incumbents. For a program that routinely contends nationally, bringing in a goalkeeper who understands professional environments is a strategic move.
Background: Charlotte FC pathway and MLS NEXT Pro experience
Syrett’s development came through the Charlotte FC academy, giving him technical foundations and exposure to a professional culture early in his career. Time spent training alongside first-team players and playing in MLS NEXT Pro with Crown Legacy provided match experience against other pro-caliber prospects, accelerating his readiness for collegiate competition.
Numbers that matter
Five professional appearances, a 5-0 record and two clean sheets are small-sample stats but valuable context. They signal Syrett can organize a defense and perform under real-game pressure. Those attributes are particularly important in college seasons defined by tight margins and knockout-format postseason play.
Coach reaction and locker-room fit
Head coach Bobby Muuss emphasized Syrett’s professional background, work ethic and technical quality, highlighting a fit with Wake Forest’s culture of constant improvement. Bringing in a player comfortable with professional demands should help maintain the program’s high standards on and off the field.
What this means for the 2026 season
Expect sharper competition for the goalkeeper position, deeper training sessions, and potential defensive steadiness come August. For opposing teams in the ACC, Wake Forest’s net now has a former pro between the sticks — a marginal gain that could prove decisive in tight conference and NCAA tournament matches.
What to watch next
Monitor preseason for whether Syrett wins the starting role and how quickly he adapts to college game rhythm and coaching. His ability to command the box, communicate with defenders, and influence set-piece outcomes will determine how large an impact he ultimately has on Wake Forest’s title aspirations.
Bottom line
Quinn Syrett’s arrival is a calculated upgrade for the Demon Deacons. It blends professional experience with collegiate opportunity and should pay dividends in training intensity and match reliability.
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If Syrett translates his MLS NEXT Pro form to the ACC, Wake Forest will be better positioned to compete for a national championship.
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