November 6 – The state of North Carolina boasts a strong pedigree in game of soccer. Anson Dorrance’s University of North Carolina side of the 1980s, ‘90s and 2000s dominated the women’s collegiate game with 21 NCAA titles – adding two more in 2012 and 2024.
North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage Chairman Steve Malik is currently at the centre of the sport in the state, and he is determined to create a lasting model for how the men’s and women’s sides can grow side by side.
That means, however, that the men’s operation, the North Carolina FC who finished third in the United Soccer League (USL) Eastern Conference this term, will suspend operations for the 2026 season, with the aim to return in 2028 as part of the USL’s new Division One setup.
All players under contract will be released after the season and can sign elsewhere. Those with guaranteed deals will receive about two months’ salary.
The decision to suspend the men’s entity directly correlates to stature of the North Carolina Courage – who compete in the US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – according to Malik. “This is all about the Courage,” he said. “They’ve shown that this region can take our roots as one of the original places for women’s soccer in the world… If you grew up in this community, you have a connection to soccer.”
The women’s team has outgrown its home at First Horizon Stadium. Their regular-season finale drew more than 11,000 fans, which is beyond the current stated capacity.
“We broke the stadium,” Malik joked. “We have outgrown our infrastructure.”
With the Courage thriving and a men’s team aiming for top-flight status, Malik’s vision is to grow both the men’s and women’s game with shared infrastructure, fan base, and investment to create a unified soccer culture that strengthens both sides.
In response to the news, the USL said in a statement that North Carolina’s franchise agreement ended after 2025, and that “The USL believes Raleigh has strong potential as a future Division One market if it meets the league’s professional standards, including a minimum 15,000-seat, purpose-built soccer stadium that will serve as an anchor for real estate development.”
Raleigh is a growing metropolis and growing fast. Malik sees opportunity, “Downtown could use an attractor,” he said. “We’re one of the largest metro areas in the country without any kind of downtown stadium.”
Other cities will be taking notes as this isn’t just about a league switch or a new stadium. It’s about building a sustainable ecosystem for both the men’s and women’s game, where the two can grow hand in hand.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at [email protected]