Carolina Ascent Women

Carolina Ascent FC filled the gap when the USL Super League kicked off, taking the field at American Legion Memorial Stadium in the Elizabeth neighbourhood, a 10,500-seat ground that filled to 10,553 for the opening match on 17 August 2024. The club traces back to Empower Sports & Entertainment LLC, founded in 2022, which won the franchise rights in May 2023 under the working name Super League Carolina before the Carolina Ascent identity launched the following March. Ownership includes Dan DiMicco and Jim McPhilliamy alongside the Empower HER Fund group led by Marianne Bruce.

The debut season went about as well as a first campaign can. Under head coach Philip Poole, in charge since January 2024, Carolina Ascent finished top of the regular-season table to claim the Players' Shield with 13 wins, 5 draws and 8 defeats, then fell in the play-off semi-final to Fort Lauderdale United after a draw sent the tie to extra time. Forward Mia Corbin top-scored with 17 goals, and the club lost 3-1 in extra time to Lexington SC. Among those who wore the shirt, captain Vicki Bruce came through Charlotte's own soccer academy before spells in England, Germany, Denmark and Australia; teenager Sella Spitzer made her debut at 14, the youngest player in the league's short history.

Carolina Ascent has no fixed rival. It remains Charlotte's only women's professional club, and the USL Super League is spread coast to coast rather than built around local grudges.