Fast Facts
Founded: 2006
Inaugural Season: 2007
Joined USL League One: 2021
Location: Cary, NC
MSA and 2020 Population (Rank): Raleigh-Cary, 1,413,982 (41st)*
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Capacity: 10,000
Owners: Stephen Malik
Manager: John Bradford
Club Website: northcarolinafc.com
*OMB and the US Census have Raleigh-Cary and Durham-Chapel Hill split into separate MSAs. The combined statistical area of both has a population of 2.08 million.
Kits
Home: Blue/Gold
Away: White
History
NCFC is one of the oldest clubs in USL League One, having been founded in 2006 as the Carolina Railhawks. The Railhawks started in the USL first division (now the USL Championship League), before co-founding and moving to the now defunct NASL. In 2016, the club announced plans to pursue promotion to the MLS, and changed the name to NCFC. NASL folded in 2017, and NCFC returned to the USL first division, and remained as the division converted to the USL Championship League. However, In 2021, ownership announced a strategic self-relegation to USL League One.
Along the way, the Railhawks/NCFC had their ups and downs. Their best finish came in 2010 with a first place season record and a loss in the final to the Puerto Rico Islanders. In both 2013 and 2014, the club achieved notoriety for defeating MLS sides LA Galaxy and Chivas USA in both years to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup. Since a third place finish and a playoffs semifinal appearance in the final NASL season in 2017, NCFC has struggled to return. The team qualified for the USLC playoffs in 2019, but finished 21st overall in 2020 before self-relegating to USL League One. The club has yet to qualify for post season play in USL-1.
NCFC has played at the 10,000 capacity WakeMed Soccer Park since 2007. The largest crowd was a 2016 friendly against Premier League side West Ham United which drew a capacity crowd. Between 2013 and 2019, the club drew an average of at least 4,100 fans per season, and even managed 3,515 during the pandemic season of 2020. However, since joining the USL League One, the club has struggled to maintain support, failing to average more than 1,874.
In 2023, the club announced it had exercised an option to return to the USL Championship in 2024. On the way out, they finished second in the table and defeated Charlotte Independence in penalty kicks to win the USL League One title match.
Best finish: 1st (2023 USL League One), 1st (2012 D2 Pro, playoff runner-up, 2013 NASL)
Playoff appearances: 9
