Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, home of North Carolina FC / Photo courtesy North Carolina FC
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League and North Carolina FC announced today the club will compete in USL League One beginning with next season’s 2021 campaign. North Carolina FC had competed for the past three seasons in the USL Championship, joining the league prior to the 2018 season.
“North Carolina FC are a terrific addition to our growing league,” said USL Senior Vice President Steven Short. “It’s a club with a proven ability to compete for trophies and develop young talent. We can’t wait to see all that they can accomplish in 2021 and beyond.”
In League One, NCFC will reunite with traditional regional rival the Richmond Kickers and begin new league rivalries with clubs such as defending League One title-holder Greenville Triumph SC, South Georgia Tormenta FC and Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.
Founded in 2006, North Carolina FC has expanded in recent years to acquire the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League while also featuring a standout Academy system that has produced players that have competed at the international level for the United States. NCFC Academy will be part of the USL Academy League that is scheduled to begin this year. The club also operates USL League Two club North Carolina FC U23.