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Karsen Henderlong

Karsen Henderlong (born September 24, 2000) is an American soccer player who plays as a forward for FC Naples in USL League One. Having played college soccer for Xavier University and Indiana University, he began his professional career with Indy Eleven in 2024.

Career

Youth and college

Originally from Crown Point, Indiana, Henderlong spent his youth career with Indiana Fire Academy, Chicago Fire's youth soccer club.[1] He played high school soccer at Crown Point High School.[2] Henderlong spent three years at Xavier University, where he scored 22 goals in 45 total appearances.[3] Henderlong was a first-team All-Big East selection in 2021 and second-team honoree in 2020 with Xavier.[4] He then played for Indiana University for two years, making 46 total appearances and scoring 10 goals.[5] Henderlong scored three goals in the span of two weeks in October 2023 to lead the Hoosiers into the NCAA Tournament.[6] He scored the tying goal in the 73rd minute in a 3–2 second round overtime win against Wake Forest on November 19, 2023.[7]

Professional

Indy Eleven

On February 8, 2024, USL Championship side Indy Eleven announced the signing of Henderlong ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season.[8] He made his professional debut with the Indianapolis-based club in a 2–1 loss away to Oakland Roots on March 9, 2024.[9] Henderlong was released by the club following the 2024 season, having made 5 total appearances.[10]

FC Naples

On January 10, 2025, USL League One expansion team FC Naples announced they had signed Henderlong for the 2025 season.[11] He made his debut in the team's season opener, a 1–1 home draw against Chattanooga Red Wolves on March 8.[12] On March 15, Henderlong scored both goals in a 2–0 victory over Forward Madison.[13] In addition to being the first goals of his professional career, they led to Naples' first-ever competitive victory and won Henderlong a spot on the USL League One Team of the Week.[14][15][16] Henderlong scored the opening goal in Naples' first round U.S. Open Cup win on March 18, defeating USL League Two team Sarasota Paradise 2–1.[17] He scored again on March 22, in the team's 1–0 away victory over Spokane Velocity FC.[18] Henderlong also scored the lone goal in a 1–0 victory over Charleston Battery in the USL Cup.[19]

Career statistics

As of match played April 26, 2025.
Club Season League National Cup Playoffs League Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Indy Eleven 2024 USL Championship 5 0 0 0 0 0 - 5 0
FC Naples 2025 USL League One 6 5 2 1 0 0 1 1 9 7
Career totals 11 5 2 1 0 0 1 1 14 7

References

  1. ^ "Boys in Blue Announce Signing of Hoosier Karsen Henderlong". Indy Eleven. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Karsen Henderlong's High School Bio". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "Karsen Henderlong - Men's Soccer". Xavier University Athletics. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  4. ^ "Boys in Blue Announce Signing of Hoosier Karsen Henderlong". Indy Eleven. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  5. ^ "Karsen Henderlong - Men's Soccer". Indiana University Athletics. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  6. ^ "Karsen Henderlong's last two weeks may have saved Indiana men's soccer's postseason hopes - The Hoosier Network". www.thehoosiernetwork.com. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "Men's Soccer vs Wake Forest on 11/19/2023 - Box Score". Indiana University Athletics. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  8. ^ "Boys in Blue Announce Signing of Hoosier Karsen Henderlong". Indy Eleven. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  9. ^ "Oakland Roots 2-1 Indy Eleven (Mar 9, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  10. ^ "Indy Eleven Announces Returnees for 2025". Indy Eleven. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  11. ^ "FC Naples Welcomes New Signings: Karsen Henderlong & Julian Cisneros". FC Naples. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  12. ^ "Match Center | USLLeagueOne.com". www.uslleagueone.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  13. ^ "Match Center | USLLeagueOne.com". www.uslleagueone.com. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  14. ^ "FC Naples secures first franchise win against Forward Madison SC". FOX 4 News Fort Myers WFTX. March 16, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  15. ^ Watkins, Tyler (March 16, 2025). "FC Naples secures club's first win with 2-0 victory over Forward Madison FC". WBBH. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  16. ^ Staff, USLLeagueOne com (March 18, 2025). "USL League One Team of the Week – Week 2". USL League One. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  17. ^ "FC Naples 2-1 Sarasota (Mar 18, 2025) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  18. ^ "Spokane Velocity FC Battles FC Naples in a Fierce Match up During Second Home Match of 2025 Season". USL Spokane. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  19. ^ Moore, Perrin (April 27, 2025). "Battery fall to FC Naples in first-ever meeting in round one of USL Jägermeister Cup". WCIV. Retrieved April 28, 2025.