March 8, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
CARY, N.C. – The North Carolina Courage and The Soccer Tournament (TST) today jointly announce the NWSL club will sponsor a team in the women’s bracket of the 7v7 winner-take-all tournament at WakeMed Soccer Park June 7-10.
Jessica McDonald, who was recently hired by the Courage as a club ambassador, will serve as team captain and is actively recruiting players to represent the home team at the second iteration of TST this summer. No players from the current NWSL roster will participate in the tournament.
“I am so excited to be involved in the TST this year and to be leading the NC Courage team. Last year, it was one of the most exciting events in global football, and being able to captain the Courage team will be the greatest honor. I can’t wait to line up at WakeMed Soccer Park again with some of my favorite teammates and other high-level players from around the world.
Courage fans- please come out and support us! A massive local support of fans will give us a big advantage in the tournament, and we can’t wait to work with this team towards another trophy and a $1 million prize,” McDonald said.
“We are so excited to take part in this incredible event again this year. The 2023 event brought soccer fans from all over the world to Cary and was a great opportunity to showcase the passion for the sport here in the Triangle. With so many people coming through WakeMed Soccer Park and even more watching on major television networks, this is great brand exposure. And, of course, we are confident we will have a team primed to compete for the cash prize,” said Courage President Francie Gottsegen.
The Courage is the third team announced from the eight-team women’s field after Heather O’Reilly’s US Women and SoccerHead FC. TST’s entire event will take place June 5-10, with the women’s bracket running June 7-10. The eight competing women’s teams will be split into two groups of four, with group play commencing June 7-8. Two teams will advance from each group to the semifinals on June 9. The inaugural women’s bracket will conclude with a $1 million winner-take-all championship game on June 10.
On Tuesday, TST announced that ESPN had acquired the media rights for the tournament, including select women’s group stage games, the semifinals and championship.
The inaugural TST included globally renowned clubs such as Wrexham AFC, Borussia Dortmund, West Ham, Wolverhampton, and sports…