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Carolina changes name to Courage
RALEIGH, N.C. (CNNSI.com) -- The Carolina franchise of the fledgling Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) has officially become the Carolina Courage. The announcement was made during a press conference held today at the Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena. Barbara Allen, the WUSA's CEO, joined acting commissioner Tony DiCicco, Courage president Jerome Ramsey, coach Marcia McDermott and several of the team's players for the announcement. "We chose the name Courage because it embodies what this team is all about," Ramsey said. "This team has some of the best players in the world, bar none. "In order to get there, they needed plenty of courage, and they didn't let anything stand in their way," Ramsey finished. Allen welcomed the Courage to the WUSA, and said that the Carolina market holds plenty of promise. "The WUSA is very fortunate to have a team here," Allen said. "This city is an epicenter for women's soccer, and we're excited to become a part of that fabric." DiCicco echoed Allen's comments, and said that the WUSA will be a stronger league because it has a franchise in the Triangle area, which is home to the 16-time NCAA national champion University of North Carolina women's soccer team, as well as strong programs from both Duke and N.C. State. The Courage's team colors will be Carolina blue, Duke blue and Wolfpack red. The team will play its inaugural season at Fetzer Field, the home of UNC's soccer programs. "This is a women's soccer mecca," DiCicco said. "It's a wonderful opportunity to have a team here." Courage defender Carla Overbeck, who helped lead Team USA to a pair of Women's World Cup titles as well as the 1996 Olympic gold medal, said the players are eager to begin the WUSA's inaugural season. "We're professional players now, and we can't wait to start competing," she said. The Courage will kick off their first season on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. with a home match against the Boston Breakers.
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