Goalkeeper George Marks Leaves Charlotte FC on Loan to Las Vegas Lights FC
Goalkeeper George Marks Leaves Charlotte FC on Loan to Las Vegas Lights FC
Also: don't forget to join us tonight for a Charlotte Independence watch party at Elizabeth Parlour Room - take a Lyft on us with code SOCCERSHEET
Charlotte FC has loaned goalkeeper George Marks to Las Vegas Lights FC in the USL Championship, the second tier of men’s soccer in the U.S. Marks is eligible for selection tonight for the Lights; the deal went through on September 9th and is pending league approval.
The move makes Marks the third person - but the first player - to leave Charlotte for the sands of Las Vegas over the past month. Former Charlotte FC front office staff members Shawn McIntosh and Will Martin joined the Lights organization as CEO and communications director, respectively.
Marks also becomes the second player Charlotte has loaned to a USL Championship side to get more first team minutes. Earlier this month, Charlotte FC loaned midfielder Ben Bender to the Tampa Bay Rowdies until the end of the year.
While the goalkeeper’s contract expires at the end of the season, Charlotte FC has a one year club option to retain Marks through the 2025 season.
One of Charlotte FC’s Community Leaders
Marks, 24, was Charlotte FC’s third-round draft pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft., and selected 57th overall.
He debuted for the team in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on April 20, 2022, starting in goal in a 2–1 extra time win over Greenville Triumph, and helped Charlotte secure multiple Open Cup victories. He was regularly selected as the backup goalkeeper in Charlotte’s lineup throughout 2022 and 2023.
Marks recorded multiple MLS appearances in 2023 for Charlotte FC while primary goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina was recovering from back surgery. This year, Marks has had no first team minutes, but has secured MLS NEXT Pro minutes with Crown Legacy FC, where he has recorded four appearances and one clean sheet.
In total, Marks has played 10 matches for the first team and six for Crown Legacy FC while in Charlotte.
“This is a good opportunity for George to get a consistent run of matches at the first team level,” said General Manager Zoran Krneta. “We look forward to monitoring George’s progress as he helps Las Vegas push for a USL Championship title.”
George Marks hasn’t had a significant amount of time to shine between the posts - one of the reasons for the loan - but he has arguably done more off the pitch than any other Charlotte FC player off the pitch.
Last year, writing for Queen City Nerve, I profiled Marks and his work in the community for organizations including the Laundry Project and Charlotte FC’s Greater Goals program.
“I dabble in a lot of things,” said Marks, whose community activities include the Laundry Project, a nonprofit organization that, according to its website, “assists lower-income families with meeting a basic need — washing clothes and linens … Laundry fees are paid for while volunteers assist with laundry services, entertain children, and create a caring space at the laundromat.”
While the Laundry Project is “the main thing [he’s] done,” Marks has been an active participant in Charlotte FC’s programs, including work with the Special Olympics and the club’s Greater Goals program, which focuses on both after-school soccer and literacy programs for Title I elementary schools.
He’s also a frequent fixture at other players’ events, including Brandt Bronico’s fundraisers for Beds for Kids, a local nonprofit furniture bank that serves families in need. “I want to not only support [my teammates], but also the causes … we have a platform, so we have a responsibility,” Marks told Nerve in an October interview.
Don’t forget: Charlotte Independence Watch Party Tonight
We hope to see you at 7:00 PM tonight at Elizabeth Parlour Room - and if George is starting, we might put on the Lights’ match against FC Tulsa.
If you need a ride, you can use the code SOCCERSHEET in the Lyft app for $10 off while supplies last.