Charlotte (NC) — On Monday, the Charlotte Independence professional soccer team announced defender Markhus ‘Duke’ Lacroix has signed for the 2020 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. The 26-year-old, outside back most recently was a trialist this preseason for D.C. United and played the 2019 season for USL Championship side Reno 1868 FC.

“His ability to both defend and get forward into the attack is vital to how we want to play”, said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “He has excellent technical ability, a real acumen for timing his runs forward and ultimately creating chances.”

Over the past two seasons, Lacroix has been a mainstay for Reno making 62 appearances, scoring four goals and notching 11 assists. During the 2019 season, he was four-times named to the USL Championship Team of the Week and totaled 42 chances created; good for second-most on the team for the second-highest scoring offense in the league.

Prior to joining Reno, Lacroix played one season with Orange County SC. In 2015, he signed his rookie contract with Indy Eleven where he would make 34 appearances over two seasons.

In 2011, Lacroix joined the University of Pennsylvania where he became the third player in school history to earn four All-Ivy League honors and the first to be named Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, in 2011 and 2013 respectively. In consecutive seasons, he played for USL League Two side Ocean City Nor’easters, making 21 appearances with four goals and four assists. Born in New Egypt, New Jersey, Lacroix represented the U-14, U-15 and U-18 U.S. Boy’s National Teams. At The Lawrenceville School, he was a four-year varsity letterman, in both high school outdoor track and soccer.

Lacroix marks the 13th player added to the 2020 Charlotte Independence roster. The club exercised team-options on four players’ contracts, reached new contracts with three returning players and Lacroix marks the fifth new signing as the team prepares for the 2020 preseason set to begin on Monday, February 27th.

Current Charlotte Independence roster:

Forward: Enzo Martinez, Dane Kelly

Midfielder: Jake Areman, Kevan George, Valentin Sabella, Oscar Ramsay, Junior Etou

Defender: Clay Dimick, Joel Johnson, Hugh Roberts, Casey Penland, Duke Lacroix

Goalkeeper: Brandon Miller

The Charlotte Independence will open the 2020 USL Championship season at Sporting Kansas City II on Sunday, March 8th. The Independence will open the 2020 home schedule the following weekend on Saturday, March 14th against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at the Sportsplex at Matthews. For more information on 2020 Season Memberships, please visit charlotteindependence.com or call the Independence front office at 704-206-1515.