Carolina Courage

Women’s United Soccer Association (2001-2003)

Tombstone

Born: April 2000 – WUSA founding franchise
Folded: September 15, 2003

First Game: April 21, 2001 (L 1-0 vs. Boston Breakers)
Last Game: August 9, 2003 (T 1-1 vs. Philadelphia Charge)

Founders Cup Champions: 2002

Stadia

2001: Fetzer Field
Opened: 1935

2002-2003: SAS Soccer Park (7,000)¹
Opened: 2002

Marketing

Team Colors: Carolina Blue & Duke Blue²

Owner-Operator

Owner/Operator: Time Warner Cable

Attendance

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Print Download

Sources:

2002 Boston Breakers Media Guide (2001 Breakers & WUSA figures)
Bickelhaupt, Susan. “WUSA opts to suspend operations”. The Globe (Boston, MA). September 16, 2003

Record Book

WUSA Goalkeeper-of-the-Year:

2002: Kristen Luckenbill

WUSA Defensive Player-of-the-Year:

2002: Danielle Slaton

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Background

The Carolina Courage had an odd journey through the three-year run of the now-defunct Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA). The Courage franchise was originally pegged for Orlando, Florida when the WUSA announced its arrival in the spring of 2000. Stadium troubles forced the club north to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina later that year as the WUSA prepped for an April 2001 debut.

The Courage had a grim debut season at UNC’s Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill, finishing tied for last place with a 6-12-3 record. Bright spots were U.S. National Team forward Danielle Fotopoulos (T-6th in WUSA with 9 goals) and play-making Norwegian midfielder Hege Riise (3rd in WUSA with 8 assists).

2002: Worst-to-First

The Courage completely re-tooled for the 2002 campaign thanks to the college draft and international player market. Carolina selected U.S. National Team defender Danielle Slaton of Santa Clara University with the #1 overall pick in the WUSA draft. German star Birgit Prinz joined Fotopoulos at the top of the attack. Riise’s Norwegian international teammate came across to bolster the midfield.

The Courage completed a worst-to-first transformation, defeating Mia Hamm’s Washington Freedom team in the 2002 Founders’ Cup final before 15,000 fans in Atlanta. The Courage overcame a first-half own goal by Fotopoulous to prevail 3-2, courtesy of scores by Fotopoulos, Riise and Prinz. Danielle Slaton won the league’s Defender-of-the-Year honors as a rookie. Kristin Luckenbill earned the Goalkeeper-of-the-Year award.

It all fell apart in 2003. Marcia McDermott, the WUSA’s only female head coach during the league’s first two seasons, stunned the team by stepping down following the 2002 championship run. The Courage fell back to 7th place in the 8-team league and missed the playoffs.

Demise & Brand Revival

One month after the season, the WUSA folded on September 15, 2003, having lost over $100 million in three seasons of play.

Women’s pro soccer finally in 2017 when the Western New York Flash of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) relocated to Cary, North Carolina. The NWSL franchise took the name North Carolina Courage, in a nod to the pioneering WUSA club.