r/nccourage Mar 18 '26

AMA with NC Courage COO will Start Here at 7:00PM

33 Upvotes

Hey everyone, appreciate you all jumping in.

For anyone newer here, I’m Ralph, COO of the Courage. I oversee the day-to-day business operations of the Club…ticketing, marketing, merchandise, social media, communications, partnerships, fan experience, and overall game production and operations.

A couple of quick things up front so expectations are clear:

- I won’t be able to get into player decisions or anything on the technical and soccer side
- I can’t share confidential information or anything that hasn’t been made public by the Club
- I won’t discuss any internal policies, Club -  League policies, staffing decisions, or details between the Club and our external stakeholders.

Everything else on the business ops side is fair game.

This is something we’ve been talking about internally for a while, when it made sense to start engaging more directly here. The last couple of years have been a period of a lot of change for us behind the scenes. Different leadership in certain areas, new people coming in, and a lot of internal growth as a group.

We wanted to make sure we were in a good place operationally before stepping into conversations like this more publicly, and we feel like we’re there now.

Part of what comes next for us is being more open and connected with fans, and this felt like the right place to start.

I also want to say this, there are a lot of people behind the scenes in the Front Office who care deeply about this Club and the experience we’re building. When things don’t land the right way, that responsibility and accountability sit solely with me, and when it’s appropriate, I’ll drop in the subreddit to talk through it with you all.

One thing that’s important to understand about how we operate is that we move quickly, and we try a lot of things (we experiment… a lot). Not everything is going to be perfect right away, and that’s by design. We’d rather put something out, learn from real fan feedback, iterate and improve it, than spend months trying to get something perfect before anyone experiences it. We do NOT believe in “Perfect Theory”…

That also means your voice genuinely plays a role in how we evolve. A lot of what gets better comes directly from what we hear and see from fans, like all of you, in real time.

Not everyone’s going to agree with every decision we make, but I’m happy to give context into how and why things work the way they do.

The goal is always the same…build something fans are proud of and continue pushing the growth of women’s sports.

The floor is all yours….Ask away.


r/nccourage 1h ago

2 Tickets to Saturday's (7/25) Match

Upvotes

Please send me a DM if you would like two tickets in the 200 section to the Saturday July 25 match versus Utah.


r/nccourage 2d ago

Margaritaville Hat

6 Upvotes

Hi all!

Anyone looking to offload one of the Margaritaville Straw Hats from a couple weeks ago? Loved the look and I don’t see them in the shop. PM me a price.


r/nccourage 3d ago

That was one of the games of all time

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67 Upvotes

r/nccourage 3d ago

Anyone going to the World Cup watch party today?

2 Upvotes

Apparently the courage are hosting something at Fenton, my sister and I plan on going as of now. Anyone else heading over?


r/nccourage 3d ago

Current Roster Question

6 Upvotes

Hey, casual fan, attend a couple matches a year trying to get more serious as a fan and go full STM next year.

Trying to understand the roster.

I know Ashley Sanchez is fantastic. I know Ijeh is an exciting signing that hasn't seemed to find her rhythm yet. I know we lost Manaka but got Erica Meg Parkinson, who already looks dangerous in today's match. Beyond that I don't know much about the roster outside of names. Where do y'all find info/analysis of the players and how they're playing?

Based on what I've seen this year, we lack speed and defensive talent, is that a fair assessment?


r/nccourage 4d ago

Where's the game showing?

8 Upvotes

Are we held hostage by the DEN v. POR game?


r/nccourage 4d ago

EMP

5 Upvotes

When will we see action out of Parkinson?


r/nccourage 4d ago

Courage logo redesign

12 Upvotes

Hi Courage fans! I’m a resident of Cary and a long time designer by trade, here to share with you some design explorations around the NC Courage shield logo mark. The shortest version of the story is, I made these designs and sent them to what I thought was the head of marketing for the organization in an email last August. I didn't expect to hear back, and didn't, so moved on. However, at the recent urging of friends who pointed me towards this forum, I've decided to re-post the message and files I originally sent. I'd love for it to spark a discussion around the topic of the logo mark, and how it could be made better.

As a self-identified designer who works in the tech field, I've been thinking a lot about design's role in culture and community. Design can (and should) have a seat at the table for our future. I like to currently define "design" as the orderly deployment of the imagination. I also regularly practice design thinking, which is basically just the scientific method, and why I've put forth the proposal below as a hypothesis. Any discussion will help add to the evidence! Also, I'd be happy to check back in and answer any questions about the work. Thanks!

Link to EPS file

Link to deck proposal

To the NC courage brand and marketing team:

I have done what research I could on the lineage and history behind the NC Courage logo mark, and its transformation from the original logo from the WUSA into the proud lioness of the current NWSL team.  As a designer these transformations are common and necessary, and I applaud the organization’s choice of crest, colors, and font for their new operations. 

I must respectfully point out that the repurposing of the lion head for a new logo cropped the lion's face in ways that diverge from its original designed purpose.  While this recycling was a nice nod to the past, it did not set things up well for the future. The abstraction and angle of the face, in this new context, diminish the logo’s readability as a lion, and adds a noticeable un-finished quality to the presentation.

Below you will find a link to an Illustrator EPS file of a redesigned NC courage logo mark, which focuses specifically on the Lioness portrait.  I tried to update the portrait by following the spirit of angular abstraction of the current logo, keeping the contrast left/right split of the portrait, the use of only 2 tones (bronze and white teeth) but improving that abstraction’s likeness to a real roaring lioness, taken from new anatomical reference.  

I’ve also included a link to a brief google slide deck:

-current logo analysis

-reasoning behind changes

-Market testing and pilot ideas

The logo and deck are for your org: pro bono, absolutely free, no frills, volunteer work.  I’d hope that you’d just hear out the arguments, consider them, and do what you will with the files.  Further iteration on this idea could improve it more. I give them freely and place no restrictions on them.  If my admittedly short, crude demonstration does not convince the org to start a conversation about the logo mark's future, perhaps it can still be useful as an alternate design for merchandise.

Thank you for your time and for providing positive, community-building entertainment here in Cary, I wish your organization the best.


r/nccourage 5d ago

2027 World Cup

20 Upvotes

Hey all! Taking my 5-year-old daughter to the Boston game in August and we are very excited. Haven't been following soccer as closely since my kids were born but the World Cup has rekindled my love for the sport.

I was wondering if there was anyone on the Courage who has an outside chance of making the World Cup roster in 2027. Or just players to really watch for when we come to the game in general. Thanks!


r/nccourage 7d ago

Former Canes' executive joined the Courage FO

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27 Upvotes

Saw this on twitter yesterday. Dan was in the Carolina Hurricanes marketing and pr department for a bunch of years.


r/nccourage 7d ago

NC Courage Bomber Jacket

8 Upvotes

Apparently, NC Courage Bomber Jackets were made
North Carolina Courage – Page 4 – NWSL SHOP


r/nccourage 7d ago

Baseball Courage Jersey

6 Upvotes

Is the baseball courage jersey the announcer was wearing at the last game going to be for sale?


r/nccourage 8d ago

Better merch

7 Upvotes

I'm hoping to find some better courage merch than snag the team is selling, where do you all get your gear?


r/nccourage 10d ago

Can we start posting what jerseys we’ll be wearing?

14 Upvotes

I always forget to add this to the surveys, but hopefully the right person will see this and others will echo this wish!

I would love to know what jerseys we’ll be wearing ahead of the game so I can match the team. It would be nice to have a schedule in advance or even a post same day. Or if this info is already posted somewhere… please point me that direction!


r/nccourage 10d ago

Thank you…again

85 Upvotes

Tough result tonight.

But once again, you showed up in a big way.

8,700+ in attendance tonight…the highest attended summer match in Club history and the 9th highest attended match overall in Club history.

To put that into perspective, from 2023–2025, we averaged 3,970 fans per match in July. This summer, we’ve more than doubled that.

That doesn’t happen because of marketing campaigns, promotions, or theme nights alone. It happens because thousands of people like you continue to invest their time, energy, and passion into supporting the players and this Club.

For that, we’re incredibly grateful. We’ll see you back at First Horizon Stadium in a couple of weeks.


r/nccourage 10d ago

Picking Arbitrary Number of Individual Seats?

3 Upvotes

Is there a way on the app or website for me to individually select seats in a given area? We're bringing extended family again and want to be clustered together instead of a giant line. I couldn't find a way to do this previously, I had to make multiple purchases and hope nobody snapped up the other tickets in the cluster while I was purchasing the first sets.


r/nccourage 10d ago

A rant, just to let it out

41 Upvotes

Two weeks ago, I was convinced we were a playoff caliber team. Then we suddenly lost Manaka, one of our most dynamic attacking players. This stings because prior to the international break it looked like we had a trio up front with a diverse skillset that complemented each other: Sanchez, Manaka, Ijeh.

Tonight, after going down by two, I get a notification on my phone. Sully is coming back… but probably not to us.

Then I started to reflect on our 2026 moves as a whole. So far one could argue our biggest move is Erica Parkinson. While exciting, she is unproven and a complete roll of the dice. Ijeh has potential and is coming up quickly. There is a lot of promise in her development in the NWSL. Sheridan is another notable addition, and she has added a good bit to our distribution and our build-out from the back.

We signed Okafor and she has played 171 minutes as of this writing. Oli Pena has played exactly zero minutes. Natalie Jacobs and Payton Crawford are hurt. Lauryn Thompson is dealing with something and is out. Ally Schlegel has regressed considerably coming from Chicago.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I would love a big signing/trade that shows an act of good faith from those making the decisions. I feel like we have a pretty nice coffer between our complete fumble of Jaedyn Shaw and now Manaka. What are we doing with that?

I know there have been good things, too. I am trying not to be a doomer. I am just a little tired of watching stacked clubs continue to move the needle to get better while we sit comfortably in the middle of the table, missing pieces. Or, worse, finding those pieces and then giving them away.

We are perpetually developing and, as a fan, I want to fucking win. We are beating the teams we should and are not competitive against the teams we need to go after. After you make enough payments on a car, you eventually get the car. How much interest is this team going to keep paying without getting the job done?

/rant


r/nccourage 10d ago

Denise O'Sullivan near deal to join Gotham on loan from Liverpool - sources

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26 Upvotes

I have no words.


r/nccourage 11d ago

Another Matchday. And It’s a Big One

36 Upvotes

The Washington Spirit and Trinity Rodman are coming to town, the Courage are chasing five wins in a row, and we’ve got a packed night ahead.

If you know anyone coming, send this their way. It’s going to be a beautiful night for soccer.

Arrive Early
This is shaping up to be one of our biggest crowds of the season…likely a Top 3 or Top 4 attendance night.

Kickoff: 6:30 PM
Gates Open: 5:00 PM

Give yourself extra time to park, get through the gates, and enjoy everything happening around the stadium.

Fenton is the Move
I highly recommend parking at Fenton.

We’ve got:

A pre-match party at Sports & Social
A public tailgate in Fenton Square Courtyard (right outside Paragon Theaters)

Easy access to the shuttle and March to the Match experience

Crystal Dunn Ring of Honor Night
Tonight is a special one. We’re welcoming Crystal Dunn home as she becomes the newest member of the NC Courage Ring of Honor.

Crystal will be signing autographs in both Fan Fest and the STM Lounge. Check your Know Before You Go email for timing and details.

Most importantly, stick around after the match for the Ring of Honor induction ceremony. It’s a chance to celebrate one of the greatest players in Club history and a true legend of the game.

Margaritaville Night
We’ve got specialty food and drink offerings throughout the stadium, so come hungry and thirsty.

Courageously Cool
While the weather should be much more comfortable than last week, we’ll still have all of our Courageously Cool amenities available.

Bring an empty water bottle and take advantage of:
- Free water refill stations
- Free ice stations
- Cooling and misting areas
- Cooling merchandise and gear throughout the stadium

Come Say Hello
I’ll be spending some time in the STM Lounge before the match.

If you’re a Redditor, come introduce yourself. I’d genuinely love to meet some of you in person.
The challenge is that your Reddit handles aren’t floating above your heads IRL, so unless you tell me who you are, I have no idea. I promise I don’t bite.

One Last Thing…
A sellout is going to be tough, but there’s a chance.
If you’ve got friends, neighbors, coworkers, or anyone looking for something fun to do tonight, send them our way.

You’ll see World Cup stars, Olympic medalists, and some of the best players in the world right here in the Triangle.

Let’s make it a night to remember! Let’s go Courage!


r/nccourage 11d ago

Just Happy To Be Here

55 Upvotes

I moved from Philly and always loved going to soccer games up there. Didn’t even realize Wake Med was 20 minutes away from my house here! Thanks to u/CourageousCat919 for generously donating their tickets last week, I went to my first Courage game and had a blast!

Ended up buying tickets for the rest of this season and looking forward to how it goes. Can’t wait to see more of the NWSL. The Lion’s Pitch podcast has also been awesome for keeping up with things!


r/nccourage 11d ago

2 tickets for tonight 7/11

13 Upvotes

I have 2 STM tickets in 304 available for tonight, unfortunately sick and can't go. DM if you'd like them.

EDIT: Claimed. Thanks!


r/nccourage 11d ago

Courage Fans Help!

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7 Upvotes

r/nccourage 12d ago

stadium bag policy - fanny packs?

8 Upvotes

Spirit fans headed to Cary for tomorrow's game - website says a "clutch" purse is allowed but not a fanny pack? My belt bag is smaller than the clutch dimensions. Can a local share with us the real talk on bag policy at the stadium? Thanks!

AND...where should we try to watch Norway vs. England before the Courage/Spirit match?


r/nccourage 12d ago

Pre-Match Press Conference | Maycee Bell, Mak Lind | July 9, 2026

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16 Upvotes