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A huge bomb dropped on the world of soccer in the Southeast last night. Multiple reports emerged late Thursday night stating that reigning NWSL champions Western New York Flash have been sold and will relocate to North Carolina for the 2017 season.
All indications are that this is a 100% done deal with a press conference already scheduled for Monday in Cary, NC.
North Carolina FC says it will make a "major announcement" on Monday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. https://t.co/vTkEShmiHD
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) January 6, 2017
Local businessman Stephen Malik owns North Carolina FC (formerly the Carolina Railhawks) and is the man behind the acquisition of the Flash.
In September, a trademark for the name “Carolina Courage” was filed by Carolina FC LLC:
Sooo remember when Carolina FC LLC filed for this "Carolina Courage" trademark in September last year #NWSL pic.twitter.com/s071hoaD1Q
— thrace (@thrace) January 6, 2017
It appears that could be the name of the new team once the move is made official unless they change their minds.
While this isn’t Atlanta getting an NWSL team (that still could happen in the future if rumors are to be believed), this is still big news for the Southern soccer scene. More and more interest in developing the game in this region has popped up in recent years. With Atlanta United soon to begin and a new NWSL team on the horizon, soccer in the South is on the up.
What do you think of this news? Will you support the new team or will you wait until Atlanta gets their own team? Let us know in the comments.