East Wake Times

As the North Carolina Courage solidify their status as the most successful franchise in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) based on trophies, they also embody a rich regional heritage in women's soccer. North Carolina has played host to several significant events in the sport's history, from collegiate championships to professional league beginnings.

Jen Cooper, author of Keeper Notes NWSL Almanac, highlights the state's prominence: "When we’re talking about American women’s soccer history, we have to say North Carolina is No. 1 because of everything Anson Dorrance built at North Carolina, all of the titles, the number of times N.C. has hosted the NCAA Finals. … The Triangle is an incredible hotbed of women’s soccer and that’s not a new thing."

The original Carolina Courage team was one of the founding members of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), which was relocated from Orlando due to North Carolina's strong soccer culture. Cooper explains this decision: "It was a late decision to move the team, but it speaks to the strength of North Carolina as a soccer market."

Carla Overbeck is deeply connected with women's soccer in North Carolina. She played for UNC and later became a coach at Duke University while being an integral part of both WUSA and USWNT's 99ers. Reflecting on her experiences, Overbeck said: "It was such an important time in women’s soccer... I’m really proud of our team and how we went about our business and fought to bring a women’s professional league to the United States."

The team's inaugural season took place at UNC's Fetzer Field before moving to WakeMed Soccer Park. Overbeck recalls: "It was incredible because you had this unbelievable state-of-the-art stadium... It wasn’t a football stadium. It wasn’t an old, decrepit stadium like some of them were," Cooper added.

International stars like Birgit Prinz and Hege Riise joined local talent on their roster, enhancing its competitive edge. Overbeck remarked on this influx: "So many other internationals from overseas came over because outside of the national team environment, it was the best arena for women that wanted to play professionally."

Despite finishing last in their first WUSA season, they won both regular season titles and Founders Cup II by 2002 under Marcia McDermott—marking her as the first female coach leading a professional women's team to victory.

Even after WUSA folded after three seasons, its impact continued through leagues like NWSL where NC Courage thrives today. As Overbeck reflects: “You have these proud moments... We were a part of its inception.”

North Carolina remains central across youth-to-pro levels within women's game development—an ongoing tradition upheld by teams such as NC Courage who aim forward through many future seasons.