Nicholas Scardina Bio
Nicholas Scardina (born June 22, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who has played as an attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC. A product of the Pacific Northwest youth pipeline, he entered the professional ranks through the college game and the MLS SuperDraft. Standing at 180 cm, Scardina has been listed as an attacking midfielder capable of contributing both goals and assists from central positions.
After developing within the Portland Timbers academy system and starring at the University of Washington, Scardina transitioned to Major League Soccer when Charlotte FC selected him in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. His path from a Portland-area youth standout to a professional midfielder reflects a steady climb through top American development environments, and he signed his first professional deal ahead of Charlotte’s second MLS season.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Scardina was born on June 22, 2001, in Portland, Oregon, United States. Growing up in a city with a deep soccer culture, he was exposed to the sport from an early age through local clubs and school programs. Portland’s status as a prominent American soccer market, home to the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, provided a natural training ground for young players in the region.
Scardina attended Central Catholic High School in Portland, where he continued to develop his game at the prep level. During this period he also featured for the Portland Timbers academy team, an established development pathway associated with the city’s Major League Soccer franchise. His time in the academy allowed him to train in a professional environment while completing his high school education, bridging youth soccer and the next stage of his career.
Path to Soccer
Scardina’s progression toward the professional ranks followed a familiar American route through the college system. In 2019, he enrolled at the University of Washington, where he played four seasons for the Huskies between 2019 and 2022. Over that collegiate span, he made 60 appearances, scored 18 goals, and added seven assists, establishing himself as a consistent contributor in the attack.
His senior college season brought individual recognition when he was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference First Team in 2022. While competing for the Huskies, Scardina also gained additional senior-level experience in the lower divisions. He appeared for USL League Two side PDX FC in 2021 and played with National Premier Soccer League outfit Crossfire Premier in 2022, experiences that helped prepare him for a professional opportunity.
Scardina had an early taste of professional soccer during his youth, appearing as a late substitute for Portland Timbers 2 in a USL Championship match, a 2-1 loss to Reno 1868 FC on June 25, 2019. That cameo offered a brief look at the professional environment before he returned to the college and amateur ranks for further development.
Nicholas Scardina Career
Early Career (2019)
Scardina’s earliest documented senior appearance came with Portland Timbers 2 of the USL Championship in 2019. Coming on as a late substitute against Reno 1868 FC on June 25, 2019, he experienced the tempo and physical demands of a professional match for the first time. The brief outing was followed by a return to the amateur and college circuits, where he could log meaningful minutes and continue refining his attacking midfield game.
While at the University of Washington, Scardina continued to build his resume, pairing collegiate play with summer stints at PDX FC in 2021 and Crossfire Premier in 2022. Those appearances in USL League Two and the National Premier Soccer League gave him additional senior-level exposure and helped position him as a draft prospect heading into his senior year.
MLS SuperDraft and Charlotte FC (2023–Present)
On December 22, 2022, Scardina’s college career culminated in a major professional opportunity when Charlotte FC selected him 40th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. The selection reflected his production at Washington and his recognitions within the Pac-12 Conference, and it provided a clear pathway into Major League Soccer.
On February 24, 2023, Scardina signed his first professional contract with Charlotte FC ahead of the club’s second MLS season. The deal marked his official transition from the college and amateur ranks to a full-time professional environment. At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Charlotte FC picked up his contract option, signaling the club’s intent to retain him within their attacking midfield group.
Driving Style and Strengths
Scardina is listed as an attacking midfielder whose college profile emphasized goal-scoring contributions, with 18 goals across 60 appearances at the University of Washington. His production suggests comfort operating in and around the penalty area, while his seven assists indicate the ability to combine with teammates and create chances. Listed at 180 cm, he possesses a frame suited to central midfield battles while still offering mobility in the final third.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Scardina’s key milestones are his professional debut for Portland Timbers 2 in 2019, his Pac-12 All-Conference First Team selection in 2022, his selection by Charlotte FC in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, and the signing of his first professional contract in February 2023. The decision by Charlotte FC to exercise his contract option at the end of the 2023 season stood as an early endorsement of his development within the club.
Nicholas Scardina Career Wins
As an attacking midfielder moving from the college ranks into Major League Soccer, Scardina’s documented achievements to this point center on team selections and individual recognitions rather than a long ledger of senior titles. His most prominent accomplishments include a Pac-12 All-Conference First Team nod in 2022 and his status as an MLS SuperDraft selection in 2023.
Charlotte FC Highlights
Scardina joined Charlotte FC ahead of the club’s second MLS season in 2023, signing his first professional contract on February 24, 2023. He spent the 2023 campaign developing within the club’s midfield group, and Charlotte FC exercised his contract option at the end of that season, extending his stay with the Major League Soccer side.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time at the University of Washington, Scardina was a four-year contributor for the Huskies, logging 60 appearances, 18 goals, and seven assists between 2019 and 2022. His senior-year form was rewarded with a Pac-12 All-Conference First Team selection in 2022, one of the conference’s top individual honors for college players that season.
Nicholas Scardina Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Scardina was raised in Portland, Oregon, a city known for its strong youth soccer infrastructure, including the Portland Timbers academy. Details about his parents, siblings, or extended family have not been widely documented in publicly available sources.
Personal Life
Scardina’s personal life, including marital status and family relationships, has not been publicly detailed in verifiable sources. He is identified as an American professional soccer player, and his public profile to date has centered on his playing career with Charlotte FC.
2025 Season Performance
Scardina’s standing with Charlotte FC heading into the 2025 season is anchored by the club’s decision to pick up his contract option at the end of 2023. With that endorsement in place, he entered subsequent seasons aiming to expand his role within the team’s attacking midfield group and contribute to Charlotte’s push within Major League Soccer.
As an MLS SuperDraft selection still early in his professional career, Scardina’s 2025 outlook centers on continued development, increased first-team minutes, and the chance to translate his college scoring record into Major League Soccer production. His familiarity with the Charlotte system, built since first signing in February 2023, provides a foundation for a larger role if he can deliver consistent performances.
Looking across the 2025 campaign, Scardina’s trajectory will likely depend on opportunities created by squad needs, injuries, and form within the attacking midfield group. With his college pedigree and prior professional exposure through Portland Timbers 2, he offers Charlotte a depth option whose ceiling remains tied to his adaptation to the speed and physicality of MLS play.