Byrne and Brown Join Inside the Game

Jonathan Turner
Sep 30
2 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

Byrne and Brown Join Inside the Game

(Shelby Twp, MI) – Inside the Game, presented by the National Soccer Network, welcomes two new voices from the Charlotte 49ers women’s soccer program this morning: assistant coach Sinead Byrne and rising standout Amelia Brown.

Sinead Byrne – From National Champion to Charlotte Sideline

Byrne, hired as an assistant coach in January 2025, arrives in Charlotte with a decorated résumé that includes a 2024 NAIA national championship at SCAD. Over six seasons with the Bees, she played a pivotal role in capturing back-to-back Sun Conference titles and guiding the program to new heights. She was part of the NAIA Coaching Staff of the Year after winning the national crown and previously earned WPSL Coach of the Year honors.

A Coventry, England native, Byrne captained her club and college teams before moving into the coaching ranks. With credentials that include a USSF B license and goalkeeping certifications, she now brings her championship pedigree and development-focused approach to the 49ers.

lia Brown – Making Her Mark at Charlotte

On the pitch, Amelia Brown has quickly become a key figure for the 49ers. After transferring from Minnesota in 2024, Brown started all 19 matches in her debut season with Charlotte, logging over 1,500 minutes – the sixth-most among all Niners field players. She delivered a critical first-half equalizer in a 2-2 draw with East Carolina and consistently anchored the midfield with her durability and playmaking ability.

Her journey began with the NC Courage Academy, where she was rated a three-star recruit and earned multiple national honors. At Minnesota, she broke into the starting lineup as a freshman, scoring her first collegiate goal against Wisconsin in 2022. Brown comes from a decorated athletic family – her father, Chucky Brown, played 13 seasons in the NBA and won a championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995.

A Look Ahead

Together, Byrne and Brown represent the foundation of Charlotte’s present and future – Byrne shaping the program from the sideline and Brown making her presence felt on the field. Their perspectives as coach and player offer a unique look at the culture the 49ers are building as they continue to compete in the American Athletic Conference.